Like many other over the counter acne treatments, the proactiv system has its pros and cons. If you look at the proactiv review in facingacne.com/proactiv-solution/, you will realize that the three step system of proactiv is not for everyone. Some users aside from the fact that the system did not give them the results that they are looking for, have experience some undesirable effects after using the treatment.
These side effects are usually associated with the chemical compounds that are used in the system to eliminate the acne causing bacteria and to remove excess oil. Though these chemical compounds are proven to be effective in treating the signs and symptoms of acne, it can cause minor side effects that can make your acne condition worse. To give you an idea of the different side effects, I have listed here a few of the things that you may experience while using the system.
Benzoyl peroxide eliminates the acne causing bacteria through the process of oxidation. Though the cleanser only uses 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, the repairing lotion also gives you another 2.5% dose of this ingredient. Though it is within the standards, you need to understand that some people may not be able to tolerate this formulation. Too much oxidation can make your skin dry and flaky. To prevent skin dryness, it is advised that you use the green tea moisturizer of proactiv. You also need to drink plenty of water to keep your skin cells hydrated. Too much dryness can trigger more breakouts.
Photosensitivity is commonly associated with over the counter acne treatments. And again, this is primarily caused by benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide may cause red blotches with too much skin exposure. One of the many proactiv reviews that I read was written by a woman from New York who complained about red scaly skin after using the treatment for a month. This is may be caused by too much sun exposure. To prevent this from happening, you need to avoid tanning beds and always make it a point to wear protective covering when you can't avoid long hours under the sun. You also need to add a sunscreen with SPF 15 on your daily skin routine.
Worsening of the acne symptoms during the first week of the treatment is quite normal as your skin adjusts to the treatment. This is mainly caused by the active ingredients pushing out the toxins and the skin impurities out of your system through your pores. You need to stick to your treatment for a little while to see positive acne results.