The bottom line. Proactiv contains acne-fighting ingredients that may help treat mild to moderate acne breakouts. It won't help you if you have severe acne or cystic or nodular acne, though. Keep in mind that a good skin care routine should focus on keeping skin healthy, in addition to targeting and fighting acne.

How long does proactive take to work?

Adapalene Benefits

Adapalene can be used on the face and the first effects of Adapalene may be visible in just two weeks, but it may take up to 3 months of daily use for you to see consistent results.

Do dermatologists recommend proactive?

Some dermatologists advise that their patients avoid using Proactiv. “We do not recommend Proactiv because it uses harsh ingredients on your skin, which can eventually lead to early signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles,” says Evans. ... Evans does admit that Proactiv can help with certain forms of acne.