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Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief
Proactiv

Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-blemish
Benzoyl peroxide, Allantoin
Works well
What the product description says
“Proactiv's Emergency Blemish Relief is an invisible spot treatment for unexpected blemishes that contains a powerful double dose of microcrystal benzoyl peroxide to target acne-causing bacteria inside pores to clear up acne blemishes.”
Source: Ulta

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Benzoyl peroxideHeroEffect: HighA potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritating5%
AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.3–0.55%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Benzoyl peroxide, Diazolidinyl urea + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Benzoyl peroxideA potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritatingHigh5%
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~1–1.2%est.
Diazolidinyl ureaA preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.5%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.15–0.25%est.
EthoxydiglycolHelps to improve the product consistencyMedium~8.3–10.2%est.
MethylpropanediolHelps dissolve other ingredients in a formulationMedium~4.2–5.1%est.
Steareth-2Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~2.8–3.5%est.
Steareth-21Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.7–2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Benzoyl peroxide5%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemish

A potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritating

More about Benzoyl peroxide
Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Ethoxydiglycol~8.3–10.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to improve the product consistency

More about Ethoxydiglycol
Cyclopentasiloxane~6–7.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MattifyingMoisturizing

A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin

More about Cyclopentasiloxane
Methylpropanediol~4.2–5.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps dissolve other ingredients in a formulation

More about Methylpropanediol
Steareth-2~2.8–3.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Steareth-2
Cyclohexasiloxane~2.4–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels

More about Cyclohexasiloxane
Steareth-21~1.7–2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Steareth-21
Polyquaternium-37~1.5–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish

More about Polyquaternium-37
Propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate~1.3–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate
Propylene glycol~1–1.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Ppg-1 trideceth-6~0.75–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ppg-1 trideceth-6
Panthenol~0.5–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Allantoin~0.3–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-blemishExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Diazolidinyl urea~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating

More about Diazolidinyl urea
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Propylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Parfum~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Benzoyl peroxide, Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylpropanediol, Steareth-2, Cyclohexasiloxane, Steareth-21, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Propylene glycol, Ppg-1 trideceth-6, Panthenol, Allantoin, Diazolidinyl urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
ProactivEmergency Blemish ReliefYOUR PRODUCTPaula's choiceClear Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing TreatmentPevonia BotanicaSpaTeen Blemish-B-GoneReplenixBP Acne Gel 10% Spot Treatment
Match—46%46%45%
Price———$34.00
Shared key ingredients—2 of 41 of 41 of 4
Key difference—BisabololSalicylic Acid—
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Face Reality Skincare Professional 2.5% Advanced Acne MedNeutrogena Stubborn Acne Medication Spot Treatment Gel

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    5: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Steareth-2,-4,-6,-7,-10,-11,-13,-15, and-20journals.sagepub.com
  2. 2
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
  6. 6
    Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief
ProactivEmergency Blemish Relief
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