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Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide)

Common questions

Is Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide) healthy?

Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide) scores 4/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the lower scores in Scout's catalog. Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator scores 4/100.

Has Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide) been lab-tested?

Yes. Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide) carries an independent laboratory panel from U.S. FDA laboratory testing covering 1 contaminant (including Benzene) — the full results are on this page.

How does Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide) compare to other skin care?

Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide) ranks #58 of 63 skin care in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is BASED Skin Revival Spray at 100/100.

Which ingredients drive Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide)'s score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Glycerin, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Linoleic + Linolenic Acid count in its favor; Benzene, Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%, Undisclosed Fragrance are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide)

Proactiv
Lab tested
4 Poor

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 4
Harmful ingredients 6
Owned by Alchemee LLC (formerly Guthy-Renker)
Category Skin Care
Summary

Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator scores 4/100. U.S. FDA benzene testing of benzoyl peroxide acne products detected benzene in this product. Benzene is an IARC Group 1 known human carcinogen with no safe exposure level, and benzoyl peroxide is inherently unstable — it spontaneously degrades into benzene via free-radical pathways, accelerating under heat. The amount detected has not been publicly disclosed. The inactive deck is cleaner than Proactiv's 3-Step kit (no parabens, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, or coal-tar dyes) and includes a few genuinely beneficial ingredients — glycerin, vitamin E (tocopherol), the barrier-supporting essential fatty acids linoleic and linolenic acid, and glycolic acid — but the confirmed benzene contamination plus undisclosed fragrance make this hard to recommend.

Contaminants 1

Source: U.S. FDA laboratory testing

Benzene
Detected
High

Detected by FDA testing. Benzene is an IARC Group 1 known human carcinogen with no safe exposure level, causally linked to leukemia and other blood cancers. Any detectable amount in a topical product is a genuine health concern.

U.S. FDA testing.

Key ingredients 10

Benzene
Very Bad

Detected by FDA testing. IARC Group 1 known human carcinogen with no safe exposure level — causally linked to leukemia and other blood cancers.

See more about Benzene →
Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
Very Bad

FDA-approved acne active, but it is inherently unstable and spontaneously degrades into benzene via free-radical pathways, especially under heat.

See more about Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% →
Undisclosed Fragrance
Bad

Trade-secret blanket term that can legally hide aromachemicals, phthalate solvents, and synthetic musks; a common contact sensitizer.

See more about Undisclosed Fragrance →
Paraffin
Bad

Petroleum-derived wax.

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Dimethicone
Bad

Occlusive silicone film-former — flagged under clean-beauty doctrine.

See more about Dimethicone →
Phenoxyethanol
Bad

Synthetic preservative — a common irritation flag in leave-on products.

See more about Phenoxyethanol →
Glycerin
Good

Well-tolerated humectant that draws moisture into the skin barrier.

See more about Glycerin →
Linoleic + Linolenic Acid
Good

Essential fatty acids that reinforce the skin barrier and help calm acne-prone skin.

See more about Linoleic + Linolenic Acid →
Glycolic Acid
Good

Most-researched AHA — exfoliates, evens tone, and stimulates collagen.

See more about Glycolic Acid →
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Very Good

Lipid-soluble antioxidant that supports the skin barrier.

See more about Tocopherol (Vitamin E) →

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