Replacement for ProActiv

[OwlMother]

Ds3 (14) has been using the ProActiv 3 stage products for a little over a month and it has made a huge difference to his acne.

We have now had an email from ProActiv saying that they are stopping selling their products in the UK.

Does anyone know of a range of products that would have similar ingredients that could be used instead?

Proactiv utilises Benzoyl Peroxide at 2,5% and glycolic acid or salycilic acid (depending on which system). You can get 5% BP wash and cream under the brand name Acnecide over the counter in Boots and Superdrug. This is much stronger than Proactiv and therefore more irritating so tred carefully and he has to wear SPF30 or above everyday, a standalone sunscreen not as part of moisturiser. As I understand it you use one or the other and not both products but a pharmacist will be able to advise better.

Because of the irritation I'd go with BHA rather than glycolic alongside it, it's also the more natural accompaniment to BP and acne. The Paula's Choice 2% BHA perfecting liquid is arguably the best out there, though he may prefer to use the gel version. Use BHA after cleansing before moisturiser and then apply SPF during the day.

However, since these actives are likely at higher concentrations than he's now used to, build up use gradually, alternating with bland and gentle products like Cerave hydrating Cleanser and the Cerave moisturising lotion (not the cream and the one without SPF). I'd limit BHA use to once a day, and start with using 2-3x a week up to every other day or daily. The patient leaflet for the BP and/or pharmacist will advise the best method with the use of that.

That's brilliant, thank you. Will get hold of those and try.