By reading your post, I can conclude that that either 1. your skin isn't used to Benzoyl Peroxide, and you're having the 'hardening effect,' where your skin gets used to the BP; many people experience this when using BP for the first time. The less likely reason, 2. You're allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide. About 1-3% of people are allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide. To be honest, the three pimples you had would have gone away quicker if you had just left them alone. Proactiv is more for long-term use, rather than using it for a week to speed the healing of a few papules or pustules. You will probably have a breakout within the next month, because of the 'initial breakout,' of starting new skin products, and the irritation your skin is going through right now. The most help I can give you right now is to take two ibuprofen or aleve as directed (about every 8 hours), to reduce irritation and redness and any possible swelling; and to use a very gentle cleanser like Cetaphil. Don't use any Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid, Resorcinol, or Sulfur until about a week after the stinging goes away.