proactiv Step 1 Cleanser
proactiv Proactiv Step 1 Cleanser lists 26 ingredients on its label, 26 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
Ingredients overview
Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.
Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Water
- Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
- Glyceryl Stearate
- PEG-100 Stearate
- Sorbitol
- Dimethyl Isosorbide
- Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
- Tridecyl Stearate
- Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
- Paraffin
- Cetyl Esters
- Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
- Tridecyl Trimellitate
- Trisodium Sulfosuccinate
- PEG-12 Dimethicone
- Sodium Sulfate
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Propylene Glycol
- Sodium PCA
- Xanthan Gum
- Phenoxyethanol
- Imidazolidinyl Urea
- Methylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Fragrance
Highlights
Free of alcoholFree of sulfatesFree of essential oilsContains PEGContains siliconesContains fragranceContains mineral oilContains formaldehyde releasersContains parabensContains EU-26 allergens
Key ingredients
- OXIDISING · 限制 III
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- ANTIPLAQUE
- Water
- ABSORBENT
- Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
- SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
- Glyceryl Stearate
- SURFACTANT - CLEANSING
- PEG-100 Stearate
- HUMECTANT
- Sorbitol
- SOLVENT
- Dimethyl Isosorbide
- SURFACTANT
- Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
Other ingredients
Tridecyl StearateNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/DicaprateParaffinCetyl EstersAnthemis Nobilis Flower ExtractTridecyl TrimellitateTrisodium SulfosuccinatePEG-12 DimethiconeSodium SulfateSodium HyaluronatePropylene GlycolSodium PCAXanthan GumPhenoxyethanolImidazolidinyl UreaMethylparabenPropylparabenFragrance
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzoyl Peroxide | OXIDISING · 限制 III/94 | 3 · – | Red |
| Water | ANTIPLAQUE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · – | Green |
| Magnesium Aluminum Silicate | ABSORBENT, ANTICAKING, OPACIFYING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glyceryl Stearate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · – | Green |
| PEG-100 Stearate | SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · – | Green |
| Sorbitol | HUMECTANT, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, PERFUMING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Dimethyl Isosorbide | SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · – | Green |
| Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate | SURFACTANT, EMULSIFYING | 0 · – | Green |
| Tridecyl Stearate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Paraffin | SKIN CONDITIONING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING | 0 · – | Green |
| Cetyl Esters | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract | FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, PERFUMING | 1 · – | Green |
| Tridecyl Trimellitate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Trisodium Sulfosuccinate | BUFFERING, CHELATING, SURFACTANT - HYDROTROPE, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · – | Green |
| PEG-12 Dimethicone | HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · – | Green |
| Sodium Sulfate | BULKING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · – | Green |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Propylene Glycol | HUMECTANT, FRAGRANCE, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium PCA | ANTISTATIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | – · 0 | Green |
| Xanthan Gum | BINDING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, GEL FORMING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · – | Green |
| Phenoxyethanol | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/29 | 3 · – | Yellow |
| Imidazolidinyl Urea | PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/27 | 1 · – | Yellow |
| Methylparaben | FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/12 | 0 · – | Yellow |
| Propylparaben | PRESERVATIVE, PERFUMING · 限制 V/12 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Fragrance | 矫味剂,增香剂 | – · 0 | Yellow |
The comedogenic column only shows scores with a published source. A blank means "no public source", not "non-comedogenic".
Ingredients explained
Each note carries its evidence level: C comes from official inventories (NMPA names, CosIng functions, annex restrictions); E is AI inference nobody has checked yet — treat it as a candidate. How we grade evidence →
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Strong decolorizer/antibacterial for acne; medical use only, strictly prohibited in cosmetics.C · Official source
- Water
- Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growthE · AI inference · to be verified
- Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
- Oil-absorbing powder at 5–20%; for pressed/powder makeup, high levels may feel heavyB · Third-party verified
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponificationC · Official source
- PEG-100 Stearate
- Non-ionic emulsifier, requires ionics for stability; check PEG for formaldehyde.B · Third-party verified
- Sorbitol
- Polyol humectant with strong hygroscopy; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives; also a solvent or adjuster.B · Third-party verified
- Dimethyl Isosorbide
- Dimethyl isosorbide as solvent and viscosity control; low toxicity, common useE · AI inference · to be verified
- Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
- Mild surfactant; boosts emulsification and cleansing power; may contain PEG, monitor preservation systemE · AI inference · to be verified
- Tridecyl Stearate
- Tridecyl stearate emollient; lightweight, moderate comedogenicB · Third-party verified
- Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
- Light emollient ester for fast spreadability and a light feel.B · Third-party verified
- Paraffin
- Paraffin wax for occlusion/viscosity control; inert/safe, may affect breathabilityB · Third-party verified
- Cetyl Esters
- Blended cetyl esters used as emollient skin conditioning agents to provide softness and occlusion.B · Third-party verified
- Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
- Chamomile extract used for soothing; check for potential sensitizing allergens.B · Third-party verified
- Tridecyl Trimellitate
- Ester emollient for skin conditioning; lipophilic nature may increase comedogenicity for acne-prone skin.B · Third-party verified
- Trisodium Sulfosuccinate
- Trisodium sulfosuccinate, mild amphoteric surfactant; buffering and chelating, low foam and irritancy.E · AI inference · to be verified
- PEG-12 Dimethicone
- Water-soluble silicone; provides slip and gloss, easily emulsified, common in hair and skin care.B · Third-party verified
- Sodium Sulfate
- Inorganic salt for viscosity; high concentrations cause osmotic dehydration.B · Third-party verified
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moistureC · Official source
- Propylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.B · Third-party verified
- Sodium PCA
- Sodium PCA, NMF component, 1-10% humectant; salty/tacky at high levels.B · Third-party verified
- Xanthan Gum
- Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydrationC · Official source
- Phenoxyethanol
- Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerinC · Official source
- Imidazolidinyl Urea
- Formaldehyde releaser in preservative systems; monitor for formaldehyde and urea sensitivity issues.B · Third-party verified
- Methylparaben
- Preservative, narrow spectrum; often combined, check allergen risk and regulatory limits.B · Third-party verified
- Propylparaben
- Medium-chain preservative; restricted use, pH-sensitive efficacy.B · Third-party verified
- Fragrance
- Fragrance; concentration must control allergen risk, label specific componentsC · Official source
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-19. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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