Proactiv Deep Cleansing Washsalicylic acid
According to the FDA label: Use for the treatment of acne
47,221 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (2004–2026)
Top Reported Adverse Events
The most frequently reported events in association with Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.
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Drug Ineffective 11,936 reports
A report that the medication did not work as expected for the person taking it. This is a reporting category, not a sign the drug is defective. It simply means someone felt it was not helping their condition.
Full definition in the glossary →Dry Skin 11,626 reports
Skin that lacks moisture, which can feel rough, tight, or flaky.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Erythema 11,470 reports
Redness of the skin.
Full definition in the glossary →- Skin Burning Sensation 10,670 reports
Acne 10,640 reports
A skin condition causing pimples, usually on the face, chest, or back.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →- Skin Irritation 6,996 reports
Skin Exfoliation 5,294 reports
Peeling or shedding of the outer layer of skin.
Full definition in the glossary →Rash 4,453 reports
An area of irritated, red, or bumpy skin.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Inappropriate Schedule of Product Administration 4,196 reports
A report that the medication was taken on the wrong schedule, such as too often, not often enough, or at the wrong time. This is a usage category, not a sign of a problem with the drug.
Full definition in the glossary →Overdose 3,335 reports
Taking more of a medication than intended or recommended. This can be accidental.
Full definition in the glossary →- Pain Of Skin 3,231 reports
Pruritus 3,185 reports
Hypersensitivity 2,640 reports
An exaggerated reaction by the immune system, similar to an allergic reaction.
Full definition in the glossary →Condition Aggravated 1,460 reports
A report that the person's existing health condition got worse. This describes a worsening of something the person already had, not necessarily a new problem caused by the drug.
Full definition in the glossary →Underdose 1,281 reports
A report that less of a medication was taken than prescribed. This is a usage category.
Full definition in the glossary →
Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.
Who Is Reporting
Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.
By Sex
View reporter sex data as a table
| Sex | Reports |
|---|---|
| Female | 33,237 |
| Male | 12,782 |
| Unknown | 16 |
By Age Group
View age group data as a table
| Age group | Reports |
|---|---|
| 0-17 | 14,880 |
| 18-34 | 7,240 |
| 35-49 | 1,797 |
| 50-64 | 821 |
| 65-74 | 411 |
| 75+ | 221 |
This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.
Reported Outcomes
Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.
View outcome data as a table
| Outcome | Reports |
|---|---|
| Non-Serious | 45,538 |
| Other Serious | 1,208 |
| Hospitalization | 632 |
| Death | 580 |
| Life-Threatening | 176 |
| Disability | 118 |
Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.
Report Volume Over Time
Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.
View report trend as a table
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 23 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 29 |
| 2011 | 33 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2014 | 57 |
| 2015 | 95 |
| 2016 | 55 |
| 2017 | 113 |
| 2018 | 5,392 |
| 2019 | 13,360 |
| 2020 | 18,384 |
| 2021 | 8,755 |
| 2022 | 105 |
| 2023 | 133 |
| 2024 | 243 |
| 2025 | 249 |
| 2026 (partial) | 37 |
The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.
Medications commonly reported with Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash
In FDA adverse event reports that mention Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash, these medications appeared most often in the same report.
- Sulfur (1,794 reports)
- Astringent (1,792 reports)
- Bosye Benefiting Hair Lotion (1,792 reports)
- Callus Removers (1,792 reports)
- Clear Medicated Corn Removers (1,792 reports)
This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.
Related Drugs
Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.
Data Source
This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.
View this data on the FDA website →Data last updated: June 2026