Proactive is great because it contains benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient is 'bleaching' as Dee has mentioned, however it's mechanism of action is that it acts to increase oxygen to the acne bacteria. Acne HATES oxygen. thus, acne dies. It doesn't whiten the pimples, it just increases oxygen to the area. All the research I have read suggests that there's not much difference between 2.5%, 5% and 10% concentrations on the effects of acne. So I would suggest 2.5% is enough, and much milder on the skin. be sure to apply a good antioxidant cream (vitamin A&C) afterwards and keep up the antioxidants in your diet.

There's a wide variety of much cheaper products with 2.5% BP like proactive on the market. ...let me know if you need more help.