Benzoyl Peroxide
Results
Side Effects

Benzoyl peroxide is a topical treatment that kills acne bacteria and dries/peels the skin, helping to keep pores unclogged.

It is usually applied once or twice a day to the acne-affected area. You should see results quickly, but sometimes it takes 4 to 6 weeks of treatment to become apparent.

3.5
20781
Read All About Benzoyl Peroxide
Compare To Other Treatments
5
31.3%
4
25%
3
17.2%
2
12.5%
1
14%

Used Benzoyl Peroxide? Rate It:

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April 8, 2007
Product used: AcneFree (24 Hour Acne Clearing System)

Pros:

It worked great when I first got it.

Cons:

I have been using it about 2 months and it is a waste of money. It doesnt help provent acne at all and I am a teenager so I get acne alot psh. this stuff sucks.

Don't get it. It doesnt work
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April 6, 2007
Product used: Acne.org (Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide - 2.5%))

Pros:

Left my face with very few inflamed acne lesions

Cons:

Also left my face insanely dry and bleached? Its noticeably lighter where I used this product. My skin is really damaged from this stuff, didn't work out at all. Made it impossible for my redmarks to heal. Also cost a lot with shipping.

This stuff is the worst!
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April 6, 2007
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)

Pros:

It cleared my skin up really well, however...

Cons:

It does extreme damage to your skin in the long run.

I talked to several skin care specialists, and they all told me how deeply dehydrated my skin was and asked what I used. I told them Proactiv and most of them said the exact same thing -- It causes early aging!! Yes, I did moisturize every night and day and through the day but my skin STILL flaked and cracked. I'm currently on the pill, and it seems to be doing good. I no longer use Proactiv's toner or cleanser, however, once a night I will still use the repairing lotion because I really don't want to risk what would happen if I came off BP completely. Proactiv does what it says, clears up your skin. But sadly, also causes early aging. So I guess it's up to whatever is more important to you.
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April 6, 2007
Product used: Carley's (Clear and Smooth Skin Treatment)

Pros:

It is fairly simple to use. You just wash with their soap, use the scrub for no more than 60 seconds, rinse and then wash again with the soap and a washcloth. The ingredients are natural for the most part. No time limit on their guarantee.

Cons:

It's runny and smells a little funny. It can cause more problems than it fixes for some people.

I really, really wanted this to work for me. Perhaps I didn't give it enough time to work. I used it for about 2 weeks. I just kept seeing my skin getting worse and worse. I got tons of clogged pores in places where I didn't usally have a problem with acne. The places on my face where I did have a problem with acne were exacerbated and they did not clear up at all. I couldn't stand my skin anymore and I decided that this product was not for me. I sent the bottle back and got my money back. I'm still trying to get my face cleared up from that stuff.
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April 6, 2007
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)

Pros:

Soothes the skin and makes it feel clean.

Cons:

Very expensive and after a months use I have seen no results.

Been using for 4 weeks and have seen no results. My skin looks worse. I will keen using it hoping at the 6-8 week mark it will start working like everyone is saying.
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April 4, 2007
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)

Pros:

Worked for me when nothing else did.

Cons:

Pricey - and delivery at uneven intervals.

I was at the end of my rope and tried it out of sheer desparation. The first 2 weeks saw no improvement, but then in the third week the results were dramatic. Now I can leave the house without mkeup - before, I would need three coats of makeup to be seen in public. No one can expect one product to work for everyone - but Proactive worked for me! If you've tried everything else...why not try Proactive? You might try buying it from another source to see if it works before getting locked into the "club" program.
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April 2, 2007
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)

Pros:

I have moderate acne with some whiteheads, lots of blackheads, and some redness. The BP clears up some of my acne, mostly whiteheads. The mask was good at clearing up bigger acne, but it takes a few days.

Cons:

It doesn't get rid of blackheads that well, the cleanser seems more like a fill in cleanser and I liked other ones I have tried better. The Toner was all right, stung a little. The mask smells horrid.

The BP seems to be what makes this work at all. I say go find a gentle cleanser, use a less expensive BP solution, and a moisturizer. Once I did this, I got better results than I did with proactiv. A friend of mine who had severe acne with cysts and things uses proactiv, has been using it for years now, and she has clear skin now. She had to use Acutane at first to get rid of the cytsts, but the proactiv helped her get rid of the rest of it. I think it really does depend on your skin.
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April 1, 2007
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)

Pros:

for me and my personal experince nothing i bouth the trial verson

Cons:

o

this stuff has destroyed my face, i tried it i had no problems with acne, and now its 2 years and my face has scars red marks, i only used it for a month, i used the trial 3 step systome
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March 30, 2007
Product used: Acne.org (Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide - 2.5%))

Pros:

Cheap, works wonders if you use it properly. Comes in the gel form which is much better than the Nutrogena on-the-spot cream form I used to use.

Cons:

Bleaches fabrics, but I suppose all BPs do that..?

I've been using the regimen for almost three years now, and its amazing. There have been some breakouts that have been tougher to battle than others, but for the most part, this has been the only acne treatment to ever work for me..and I've tried many! Dan, thanks so much for putting out a more affordable, gel-form BP. And for anyone out there that's skeptical about whether or not the regimen will work for you, just try it. As long as it's followed carefuly, you'll see some amazing results.
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March 25, 2007
Product used: Neutrogena (On-the-Spot Acne Treatment (Old Formula))

Pros:

Good for applying to small zits, absorbs well.

Cons:

Doesn't clear up spots any faster than just waiting for them to subside on their own.

Not a high enough concentration of BP for me, so this stuff didn't really work at all. Sometimes I put it on small zits, but I don't think it makes any difference.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website