Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Exfoliation
- Evens skin tone
- Anti-aging
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-blemish
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Key actives
Product Summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Proactiv - Original 3-Step System" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Proactiv - Original 3-Step System ticks this box. Panthenol, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, sodium pca and sorbitol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl esters, cyclopentasiloxane and glyceryl stearate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 60.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-aging
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
Evens skin tone
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
This alpha hydroxy acid gently exfoliates and removes dead, dry skin cells and excess oil.
Source: Ulta
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: glycolic acid.
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
This nourishing botanical promotes healthy-looking skin while moisturizing the complexion.
Source: Ulta
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
Helps soften upper layer of the skin and can enhance penetration of other ingredients into the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
Prevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Benefits The original proactiv skincare system, Proactiv Solution has been a fan favorite for more than 25 years This trio features a daily face wash, toner and treatment that work together to treat and prevent breakouts Renewing Cleanser removes impurities, helps clear breakouts, and gently exfoliates Revitalizing Toner balances skin's natural oils, purifies pores, and removes debris Repairing Treatment is a lightweight, all-over formula that treats your active acne and prevents future breakouts Key Ingredients Benzoyl Peroxide -Proactiv prescription-grade, micronized BPO gets deep into your pores to kill acne-causing bacteria at its source.
Source: Ulta
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Exfoliation | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 83/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Proactiv Original 3-Step System | Current | $60.00 | |
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Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Ingredient list view
Water, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Sorbitol, Dimethyl isosorbide, Disodium peg-12 dimethicone sulfosuccinate, Tridecyl stearate, Neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Paraffin, Cetyl esters, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Tridecyl trimellitate, Trisodium sulfosuccinate, Peg-12 dimethicone, Sodium sulfate, Sodium hyaluronate, Propylene glycol, Sodium pca, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Imidazolidinyl urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum, Water, Glycolic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Rosa canina fruit extract, Sodium pca, Glycerin, Panthenol, Allantoin, Benzophenone-4, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tetrasodium edta, Imidazolidinyl urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum, Ci 42090, Ci 19140, Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Propylene glycol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Xanthan gum, Ceteareth-20, Carbomer, Sodium hydroxide, Diazolidinyl urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum
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