Proactiv is a three-stage acne treatment designed to use a cleanser, a toner and a repairing treatment to deal with breakouts. There has been a major advertising campaign with high-profile stars promoting the product. All three products in the system are to be used twice daily, once in the day and once at night.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is the active ingredient in the cleanser and the repairing treatment. This form of acne treatment has been called "exhaustive and conclusive" in its effectiveness by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in its November 1999 edition. Benzoyl peroxide both slows the frequency of breakouts and reduces the severity of the breakout. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it as safe in strengths of 2.5 percent to 10 percent.

Anthemis Nobilis Extract

Otherwise known as chamomile, the Anthemis nobilis flower is in both the cleanser and toner. There are antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to chamomile, and it is a popular medicinal herb in many skin-soothing and other calming herbal remedies.

Propylene Glycol

This humectant and humidifier is in all three parts of the kit--the cleanser, toner and repairing treatment. Contrary to popular belief, it is not antifreeze, it is a glycol that is used to keep things from melting or freezing and helps in the absorption of other ingredients in the product that it is in. In this case, helps the absorption of benzoyl peroxide. As a humectant and humidifier agent, it keeps moisture in the skin and prevents the drying-out effect of some anti-acne formulations.

Methylparaben and Propylparaben

These two ingredients are members of the paraben preservative group and are in the cleanser, toner and repairing treatment. They inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and fungi and help the mixture retain its use for a longer period of time. Preservatives such as these are less irritating than some formaldehyde-releasing agents used as preservatives.