Skin acne are caused by  overly active glands (sebaceous glands) in the skin that are present in most parts of the body except the palms, soles, the top of the feet and the lower lip and are particularly bountiful in the face, the neck, shoulders, upper arms and the back area.  This hyperactivity can result from stress or by hormonal changes, the latter being particularly attributed to teen acne. In any case both glands are always produced by the same kind of hormones which is the androgens.

Under normal circumstances, these glands always produce the oil called sebum and this oil serves to moisturize the skin. This oil comes out through pores in the skin but for some reason which is still unclear, some pores get blocked by skin cells that the lining of the pores sheds out.  The pores get clogged and traps oil.  This is how blackheads and whiteheads are formed.

The acne problem comes when the hyperactivity kicks in and it mixes with the resident bacteria on the skin called P. acnes. P. acnes are normally helpful because they prevent the skin from being invaded by bacteria.  In excess however, and this happens when they mix with trapped excess sebum in the skin, P. acnes results to acne.

The Proactiv acne solution contains just the right amount of medicine and skin-care ingredients. Proactiv attacks the bacteria that causes acne and at the same time provides the clarity that an acne-prone skin needs in order to stop one from forming.  Since the reason why pores clog are practically still unknown, you may have to use Proactive acne solution for the entire duration of your acne phase (that’s typically 6-7 years in teens).

Acne conditions in grown-ups are much trickier because they last longer, around 20 years, and guesswork is still required to find out why they happen in the first place.  Proactiv acne solution will clear up the acne because the medicine in it treat acne but if you stop using it during an acne phase, the likelihood of the acne coming back is high. The good news is continuous use of Proactiv would actually produce a younger looking, toned and moisturized skin because of the presence of many skin care ingredients.  In fact for oily skin, it can very well be a staple for its many skin toning and clarifying effects.

If you want a permanent treatment to acne, you might need to do a little lifestyle check as acne forms in response to stress hormones.  You can consider other treatments too like laser treatments.  Personally, I would recommend the lifestyle check before going for anything invasive.

Proactive is a well-known acne treatment and many swear by its three-step formula which includes cleansing, toning and moisturizing.  Like any other acne products, or beauty products for that matter, there isn’t a cookie-cutter cure for acne.  People have different skin types and different reactions to varying brands and products.  My best recommendation is that you do your research before buying a product.  Don’t just get user feedback, find out what the ingredients are in the product and see if there’s anything listed there that you’re allergic too.  If at all possible, consulting with a dermatologist is your best bet against incompatibility with a product and, ultimately, a worsening acne condition.

That being said, the first step you can do to get rid of acne scars is to avoid it in the first place.  You can avoid acne scars by simply making sure you know the product you’re using.  Some of the more basic things you can do to avoid acne scars is to make sure you do not squeeze out your pimple especially when the head isn’t out yet.  Also refrain from scratching them and avoid having dirty fingers, pillows, towels and etc from coming into contact with a pimple.

Now on to the worst case scenario and that is if and when acne scars appear despite your best effort to avoid them.  I find that Proactive’s three-system will lighten up scars once it has cured the acne.  Better still though if you proceed with the treatment through the use of Proactiv’s Refining Mask.  It will definitely finish up the job of clearing your skin of any traces of acne and even helps keep acne under control.  Users also swear by its “spot correcting” capabilities.

Certain parts of our body are prone to acne because they have more sebaceous glands per inch.  These glands produce the skin’s natural oil and they are predominantly present in the face, neck, chest, scalp, back, and upper arms.  It is no wonder then that breakouts ever so often occur in these parts.  That being said, I’ve observed from experience that there are triggers to body acne and these include the soap and shampoo (and the like) that we use.

Here are some tips to get rid of body acne:

Observe how your skin, especially those acne-prone areas of the body, reacts to the products you use.  You will find that certain hair products can irritate more than others.  Same goes for body wash and soap.  Once you’ve found a culprit, the logical thing to do is to stop using that product and replace it with one that is friendlier to your skin.

Since acne is formed when oil and dead skin clog up the pores, it is important to keep these acne-prone areas clean at all times.  One way of doing this is to scrub off the surface of your skin well with say a loofah.  Doing so, however, would prove to be a challenge when you already have acne formation on your back, for example.  This can lead to further irritation.  If and when this is the case, you have to choose a cleanser that is formulated for deep cleansing so the scrubbing bit can be eliminated.  I’ve found cleansers like Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash to do the job exactly the way I want it.  Of course, results vary for each person so you may have to try a few products before you can zero in on the one that suits your skin best.

Lastly, one of the more simple things you can do to cure back acne and body acne is to simply dry off well with a clean towel.  Towel dry hair thoroughly; you don’t want excess water to drip down your back because this usually leads to clogged pores and, ultimately, acne.  It’s best to replace towels regularly too.  I replace mine every week.  I find that these have helped me minimize body acne and back acne occurrences and I really believe they can help prevent the acne from coming back.

Tea Tree Oil

Breakouts can be crushing especially if you don’t know of any good or effective acne cure. A good acne treatment really depends on how your skin reacts; there isn’t a cookie-cutter acne cure for all. I am personally into natural, botanical treatments so I tend to lean towards those before resorting to commercialized ones. I found out online that some people use tea tree extract or tea tree oil as acne treatment. The results have been amazing although not as fast as those acne cure with benzoyl peroxide. Tea tree oil is said to have far more less side effects, if not zero, side effects too. But this also depends on the concentration. 5% tea tree oil In topical acne cure will have effects already but it might take a longer time than acne treatments with higher concentration. Tea tree oil is antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal and acne is just one of the skin conditions it can cure.

See larger image Proactiv Solution Deep Cleansing Wash, 8 Oz (Health and Beauty) List Price: $29.95 USD New From: $26.95 In Stock

The fact is that there is no product that is labeled “Proactiv Body Wash”. Rather, what they have is called Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash. However it is formulated for total body cleansing.

Over the years literally countless body cleansers and washes have been introduced to the market. Without exception most all of them were and are essentially just liquid soaps. That's all.

Oh of course their fragrance and colors may differ but that's about it and this is precisely what makes Proactiv so different. You see Proactiv Body wash is both a powerful cleanser and an exfoliant.

Not just any exfoliant either because body cleansers that contained scrubbing grit have also been around for years. Whats so different this time around, is that Proactiv Body Wash contains two types of exfolaints.

The first one is tiny polished beads that are rounded, so they don't damage the skins surface. This alone makes a huge difference because damaged pore openings can in fact lead to more acne breakouts.

The second exfolaint, is a chemical called salicylic acid. It's origins are in fact the bark of the willow tree, so it's clinically proven safe as well as effective for dissolving away dead skin cells and even killing acne causing bacteria.

So while the tiny rounded balls in this all around body cleanser are removing dead skin cells from the surface, the salicylic acid works deep down inside the pores to clean them out dissolve away dead skin and kill germs. It's one of the first products of this kind on the market.

Do be aware that because this body wash is also an exfoliant, it's definitely not meant for every day use. In fact Proactiv specifies that this product was developed to bolster your regular washings, no more than two or three times a week.

What makes Proactiv Deep Cleaning Wash so different is that it's a combination cleanser and exfoliant, all together in one product. At the same time, it's gentle enough for the face, yet tough enough for the rest of your body.

It's the unique combination of two separate type of exfoliants that make this the perfect skin cleanser for someone with acne. Polished round granules clear the surface, while salicylic acid exfoliates deep inside pores.

This makes it the perfect wash for clearing the way for acne medications that function below the skins surface. Another plus for this product is that it comes in both 8 oz containers and big 16 oz pump jugs.

Acne sufferers who find the standard benzoil peroxide cleanser in their three stage kit to harsh on the skin, will find this to be suitable replacement. You see salicylic acid not only exfoliants but it kills acne causing bacteria as well.

Do be aware though that this product is not meant for every day use. It is an exfoliant, which means that it should only be used to bolster another skin cleaning product a few times per week.

At just less than $20 for an eight ounce container, the price is right too. Like all the other products that they now carry, Proactiv has been real good about keeping the price down, while everyone else is jacking their prices up. I like that!

It was about six years ago that I began using Proactiv Extra Strength. Back then my acne condition could be described as being on the severe side, just above moderate.

Now let me tell you up front, that it took some time before it started to work. You see I started early in the year. Sometime in the springtime and basically started seeing results around early summer.

Of course I would go through my spells where my acne flareups tended to be worse but overall I would describe the change that Extra Strength acne brought on, as going from heavy moderate to really quite light, for the most part.

Even so, during the best of the good spells my acne can at at times pretty much disappear completely now. I do treasure those times because those are the days when my skin looks and feels absolutely flawless.

Now for the cons: One thing that I found, is that if I'm not super careful with it my Proactiv System it can and has permanently stained a good number of pillow cases, towels, shirts and tops.

Also it has not been as effective as I had hoped it would be for controlling excess oil on my face. Then there is the price. It's now costing me somewhere in the area of $30 per month. A lot for a student on a limited income.

The good news is that my acne problem has subsided greatly over the course of this past year. Of course I still use proactive but the need just isn't as urgent as it has in years past. Overall though, I would definitely recommend this system for anyone with mild to moderate acne like I had.

See larger image Proactiv Solution Advanced Blemish Treatment (Health and Beauty) List Price: $32.00 USD New From: $13.70 In Stock

It was a little over a decade ago that the world first became aware of the Proactiv name. That was when they introduced what was at that time, a completely new way of treating acne. Their three stage Proactiv Solution treatment kit.

It's main active ingredient was and still is benzoil peroxide, which had been available for years prior to that time in topical creams with names like Clearasil. However; benzoil peroxide alone did bring with it some side effects.

In spite of the fact that benzoil peroxide is the most powerful and popular over the counter acne fighting medicine available, it has a tendency to leave itchy, red, dry skin in its wake. Some people being more susceptible then others.

Hence; the Proactive three stage system includes a toner that's applied as the second step. It's function is to sooth the skin and counter some of the harsh side effects of the benzoil peroxide contained in the first stage. A powerful deep cleaning scrub.

The No Benzoil Peroxide Three Stage Proactive Kit

Even so, there are some people who tend to be extremely intolerant to benzoil peroxide and in spite of this second stage, still find the side effects too harsh. For these people, Proactive now makes available a (non benzoil peroxide) three stage acne treatment system.

It's main active ingredient is salicylic acid. While salicylic acid is not as effective as benzoil peroxide, it is none the less, clinically proven to kill acne causing bacteria. Salicylic acid also functions as an effective chemical or (non abrasive) exfoliant.

Proactiv Introduces Even More Acne Skin Care Products.

Over time, Proactiv has continued to develop and introduce even more products and all of them have one thing in common. They are all for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of acne or are designed to treat the delicate skin of acne sufferers.

Proactiv Advanced Blemish Treatment

The first one on the list is Proactiv Advanced Blemish Treatment. It comes in a .33 oz tube and is designed for application to discreet skin areas that are effected by acne. Its main active ingredient is a potent 6% benzoil peroxide concentration.

Proactiv Deep Cleaning Wash

Next on the list, is Proactive Deep Cleaning Wash. This is not to be confused with the renewing cleanser that comes with their first kit because it contains no benzoil peroxide. Rather, this wash contains tiny abrasive beads and salicylic acid.

Also because this product that comes in both 8 oz bottles and giant 16 oz jugs also functions as a mild exfoliant, it's not meant for regular every day use. Rather, it's meant to back up your regular facial cleanser. The beads exfoliate the surface, while the salicylic acid exfoliates deep inside pores.

Proactiv 3.5 Repairing Treatment Lotion

This is a uniquely formulated skin lotion that was created specifically for acne infected skin. It contains a 2.3 solution of ultra-finely ground benzoil peroxide in a 3.5 oz container. Understand that all benzoil peroxide is not the same and in this case, the size of the microscopic particles makes a huge difference.

The ultra fine particles quite literally penetrate deeper and more readily into skin pores, where they then lodge and remain to kill acne causing bacteria for hours. This oil free lotion is meant to be spread thinly on effected skin to form an effective barrier against invading bacteria.

Proactiv Refining Mask

At a little over $5 for a 2.5 oz tube, this is the most affordable product in the Proactiv lineup. Understand however, that with sulfur alone

being its main active component, this mask is definitely not meant to be used as a one product acne treatment.

Instead it's meant to be used as a back up treatment for oily, acne and blackhead effected skin. It infuses the skin with medication, as it draws out and absorbs excess oil. Also as the mask dries, it gently pulls and stretches skin to improve micro-vascular functions.

Proactiv Green Tea Moisture

Even today scientists are continually working to understand all the medicinal properties of green tea. If you've seen skin care products before that contain green tea as a component but have been afraid to use them due to an acne problem, now there is a product just for you.

Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer is formulated with botanicals, antioxidants and moisturizers specifically for acne effected skin. Also as the name suggests, concentrated green tea extract is not just a minor component. Rather, it's one of the main ingredients in this very unique product that comes in 1 oz tubes.

Proactiv Revitalizing Toner

This is the exact same toner made famous as the second stage in the Proactiv 3 stage ace treatment kit. Over the last two decades literally millions of people have used it and also literally uncountable numbers of positive reviews have been written about it.

What makes it so different and also so effective for secondary treatments following acne medicine applications, is it's unique skin soothing alcohol free formulation that also contains Aloe and chamomile. Also at less than $15 for 4 oz, it's very affordable.

Proactiv Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 15

This product contains advanced moisturizing agents and leaves skin silky smooth. Remember that only active ingredients that can effectively penetrate the skins surface can actually be truly effective. Oils may feel good on the surface but the skins surface is as only far as they go.

This product also offers SPF 15 sun protection and contains absolutely no fragrance additives. Of course, just just as with all Proactive skin care products, it's also formulated specifically for acne prone skin. It's available in two sizes. 1.7 oz and 2.5 oz.

Proactiv Clarifying Night Cream

This is really the only product that proactiv has for nighttime use. It's formulated with retinol, salicylic acid and essential vitamins that your skin uses in its regeneration process. It also contains skin soothing botanicals, like chamomile and kukui nut oil.

Simply apply a thin layer before bed, after removing all makeup and washing your face. Also keep in mind that you don't have to be going to bed for the night to reap the benefits of this product. Use it in the daytime as well, to achieve full 24 hour effects.

See larger image Proactiv Solution Deep Cleansing Wash, 8 Oz (Health and Beauty) List Price: $29.95 USD New From: $26.95 In Stock

When I was first researching Proactiv's Deep Cleansing Wash one of the first things I found out about it is that it's made with Salicylic Acid and NOT Benzoyl Peroxide based products like their popular kits.

With that said, if you've tried out the regular Proactiv and it didn't work well on your skin then don't shrug off the Deep Cleansing Wash because these are two completely different products with a different base of ingredients.

The 2% strength Salicylic Acid which this wash contains is actually very commonly used by dermatologists and skin doctors to clear up the acne of their patients. So for just a couple bucks you can basically get a dermatologist skin treatment in the comfort of your own home.

More Reviews on Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash

"i really LOVE this proactive product me and my son both use this product if i do get a small breakout i use this they go away MUCH faster but it does dry alittle your skin out sometimes, but i have oily skin anyway so i really do like this."

Angela M. Cowgill @ Amazon

"I've been using Proactiv for about 10 years. I prefer the deep cleansing wash for my face (... and my shoulders) to the cleansing solution. I've used the cleansing wash for about 9 months, now, and follow it with the repairing lotion on my face. I guess because I'm a bit older now, the extra exfoliation from the deep cleansing wash really helps my facial skin to appear brighter and more youthful. Strangers literally stop me on the street to tell me how beautiful my skin is and to ask what I use. When I tell them that I have ACTIVE acne, they are dumbfounded. With consistent treatment over the years, I no longer have breakouts, nor the dark marks breakouts leave in their aftermath!"

Debora L. Beverly

The Early Years Of Acne Treatments

During those early years of acne treatments, people with acne just accepted that they were going to trade off healthy natural looking skin in exchange for ridding themselves of their acne blemishes. So they were either left walking around with pimples or with parched, dry, red skin that healed badly and had acne scars.

Proactiv Extra Strength - A Higher Concentration Of Prescription Strength Benzoil Peroxide

Extra strength Proactiv was the first acne treatment to come on the market that did away with this lopsided and unfair acne trade-off. It also did this while actually increasing the strength of the powerful benzoil peroxide that it contained. It's the Proactiv three stage treatment process that makes this all possible.

Deeper Penetrating Renewing Cleanser

Its first stage is (Proactive Renewing Cleanser). It contains a powerful form of deep penetrating, prescription strength benzoil peroxide. It simply penetrates deeper into the skins pores to eradicate acne causing bacteria that other popular acne treatments just can't reach.

Renewing Toner Promotes Bright Healthy Looking Skin

The second stage is Proactiv Revitalizing Toner. It works to sooth the skin and counter the side effects of the concentrated benzoil peroxide in the first stage with a clinically proven formula of soothing botanicals that are contained in an alcohol free solution. The result is bright refreshed skin that is better able to heal itself.

All Day Protection From Repairing Lotion

The third stage is Proactive Repairing Lotion is the last step in the Extra Strength Proactiv lineup. It's a patented lotion formula that was created specifically for acne effected skin. It functions by leaving the skin covered by a thin clear completely undetectable protective barrier to acne causing bacteria.