I feel as if I am a master when it comes to skin care products.  I think I have tried them all.  So here it goes.  The ingredient that is in Proactiv (benzoyl peroxide) can be found in many over the counter bars and washes for a much cheaper price.  The reason the system is a "success" is because it is a system.  You have a face wash, a toner, a repairing lotion, and a moisturizer.  In my personal experience, the repairing lotion is the GREATEST of them all.  However it is expensive by itself around 28 bucks so it is cheaper to just by the whole kit for those offers you see on TV around 19.99.

Another awesome product line is Murad.  I have used it for years.  I use their acne facewash and toner and then the Proactiv reparing lotion.  There are a lot of different options and awesome products out there. 

I also get facials. They are so helpful in clearing up my skin, they really work wonders.  If I remember correctly your teenager, is a boy, and a facial might freak him out but my brother is 16 and he goes every 2 months also, and it works wonders, it really does.

The lady that does my facials has told me me a couple of tips when it comes to using Murad or Proactiv.  The Murad acne facewash contains salicylic acid, while the Proactiv contains benzoyl peroxide.  This is what she has always recommended to me and it really works, using those two ingredients.

This is what I do to keep my skin clear or get rid of breakouts:

Use a facewash with salicylic acid when you are in the shower (it doesn't have to be Murad there are many companies like Neutrogena that sell washes with salicylic acid.).  The steam opens up the pores and the salicylic acid penetrates and really cleans out the pores, then turn the water to a little cooler to rinse the soap off because the cold water closes the pores and keeps the salicylic acid in there to keep working.  Then use Proactiv or any other face wash with Benzoyl Peroxide(there is an awesome bar that is sold at regular old drugstores called Peroxyl and it comes in 5 and 10% and that is what I use when I wash my face at the sink) in it when you are just washing your face at the sink, that cleans off surface bacteria but does not really get down in the pores as the salicylic acid does.

Hope that helps!

Wow! Emily, thanks for the info!!

I went to Dermatologists for years, and all they wanted to do was load me up on Minocylcine and Doxycycline and my mom, being a nurse like you was not a fan.  There are a lot of creams and gels that I used but in all honesty if you wash your face like you are supposed to, you really shouldn't need those creams, gels and antibiotics. 

I realize that my first post was really long winded, but in summary...Proactiv works great as a system but I have found that the just buying the Peroxyl bar from the drugstore which contains the same thing works just as good, same thing with buying a wash with Salicylic acid(like Neutrogena) in it versus buying the Murad wash.  Your saving money, and buying the same active ingredient.  And using the salicylic acid in the shower and the benzoyl peroxide at the sink, is the key!  He just has to stick to it and wash twice a day, and if he plays any sports, especially after that!

Try lavender bar soap.  The more natural the better.  I know, it sounds too easy to actually work, but it really does. 

You may be able to find this in the natural foods section at a coborns store.  

I also think proactiv is a great deal and works well. Some top celebrities promote it. My teenage son used it and it did help.

I think it depends on the person. I have heard you have to be careful in sunlight because you will get white spots that don't go away.
  Also, I know there are things in the face washes that clog up your pores, and don't let your skin breath, etc. The best thing to do is to find something that is non-toxic, natural.   I use all Melaleuca products, but I know not all do. Another thing to look at is Norwex. They have antibacterial cloths that are facial cloths that you don't have to wash all the time, and you don't use soap with them. I have some of those as well. My sis has a huge acne problem, and when she uses it ( I just gave her one to take home to Mi with her) it works great. No soaps, just the cloth, maybe a non-toxic lotion.   It works!!!  Also, I tell her and anyone really, to change the pillow case once or twice a week. It makes a huge difference.

I am sooooo appreciating all of the advice!

As a teenager it worked for me (which means a lot when you're a that young and all you think that matters is your appearance) so in that "time frame" I loved it and swore by it.  I then tried it a few yrs later in my early 20's and it failed miserably.  Also be aware if your son uses it, it will bleach anything he puts on his face (pillows, towels) so just a heads up.  Like I said it did the job when I was younger but at 28 I will never use it again!

This thread is GREAT! For some reason adult acne has onset BIG time (who knew that I would get acne when I got old but skip it when I was young... totally wish it was the other way around!). I am DEFINITELY going to take some of Emily's advice!

I used proactiv and it didn't do squat! I also used SensiClear (another celeb endorsed one) and it made my skin worse!!

The best thing I've found is from Mary Kay. Their acne toner and acne treatment gel is ah-may-zing! And, relatively inexpensive and lasts a long time!