Started using Benzac last winter after a bad break out occurred. After a few days of application twice a day, I noticed the existing pimples were becoming smaller and less noticeable. A bit of drying and flakiness happened, but that was an okay trade off.
Over the course of a few months of using Benzac, I noticed the texture of my skin becoming rough and bumpy. Even when I do break out, my skin is still soft, but my face felt like sandpaper. I couldn't quite figure out what was causing my skin to react this way, as Benzac was the only "harsh" acne topical I was using on my face, aside from a Purpose Soap Bar.
I decided to give Benzac a break because my skin was too irritated.
About a week ago, I tried using Benzac on concentrated areas of my face to see if it would irritate them, and an hour or so later, those areas were so red and bumpy.
I recommend Benzac to those with normal skin who can take a little "abuse" from their skin care products. But if you have very fair, sensitive skin like me, you might want to steer clear of this one, or use it very sparingly , or apply every other day.
On the bright side, since I started and stopped using Benzac, it pretty much eliminated any large pimples from forming. If I do get a break out here and there, the pimples are much smaller and go away faster.