Topical Antibacterial
Reviews
3.5
20781 Reviews
Topical Antibacterial
Efficacy
54%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Benzoyl peroxide clears the skin completely when applied correctly.
Topical Antibacterial
Side Effects
Low-Medium
Topical Antibacterial
Acne.org’s Real World Take
It’s been a staple of acne treatment for decades for a reason. When used properly it can completely clear the skin. It is widely available and affordable. Comes with side effects for the first few weeks and can bleach fabric.
Topical Antibacterial
How to Get It
This is an over-the-counter treatment. Here are some places you can find it online.
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:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
December 7, 2010

Pros:

NONE and I mean none.
- My age is 23,"Male".

Cons:

- OVERPRICED.
- Too mild.
- Small bottle sizes.( Don't last long => so that Proactiv people can get rich faster. )

Proactiv is a product of greed.(hate it) Grow your own: - Red glover (flower) - Chamomile (flower) - Juglans(walnut) trees =>nuts - Hazel bush =>nuts - Rye - Raspberry + many other... ... collect seeds and study plants ... and other herbsfruits that our grandfathersmothers know to help for example the Inflammations !!! (and there are a lot of healthy green things, just STUDY.)
November 29, 2010

Pros:

works very well and cleared up my acne fairly quickly

Cons:

when u dont use it yuor acne comes back

GET ITTT
November 19, 2010

Pros:

???

Cons:

it makes them worse

my sons spots stayed the same when he was using it, so i said to him, just wash only with a sponge for a few days, it worked they started clearing up, so he put some cream on it, the next day he woke up with a spot bigger and really hurting
October 7, 2010

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

doesnt work still alot of pimples and way way dried skin and my skin is very oily and very expensive prouduct

DOES NOT WORK AND YOU SHOULDNT BUY IT
September 20, 2010

Pros:

Cheap
Works

Cons:

Bleaches clothes

I tried this after trying various salicylic acid combos with little success. This has an immediate effect. Skin was tighter, drier and acne was clearing. The only problem is that it bleaches clothes. I've had to toss out 3 t-shirts and two towels due to very obvious bleaching. Not a good thing if you're trying to keep your acne battles private
August 27, 2010

Pros:

Worked sometimes.

Cons:

MY BOTTLES KEEP BREAKING!
As in my dispenser doesnt dispense the foam!
ALWAYS.
Two of my bottles broke.

nothing.
July 28, 2010
Product used: DDF (Acne Scrub)

Pros:

2.5% benzoyl peroxide formulation with minimal ingredients.

Cons:

Expensive.
Has "scrub" particles that are potentially irritating.

This is an excellent product; however, it must be used carefully because it is a scrub and potentially irritating to the skin. I (very gently) use it to wash my back and shoulders instead of applying 2.5% BP gel, and it seems to be as effective (and it is certainly more convenient) than applying the gel. Washing with BP may not have the same potency as using a gel, but it seems to work for me. (I actually leave it on my skin for a few minutes before rinsing it off). Because of the scrub, I think this product is inappropriate for the face. If you have moderate bacne, consider giving this a go if you can afford it. As a note, I use the DDF non drying gentle cleanser on my face (32$).
July 6, 2010

Pros:

nothing

Cons:

made my skin dry and break out worst then ever before

This company should be out of business they should feel shame having all those famous people promoting they sh*t face products . I bought proactive after I had my son I starting getting pimples I didn't have an acne problem but I had a few pimple on my face between 5-10 I order proactive over the phone and waited 1 month and it never came so I gave them a call back and they said that they had the wrong address and sent it to me If came in the mail 3 weeks later after 1 week of using this sh*t I started to get these red pimple on my cheek . I never in my life had any pimple on my cheek. My problem areas always been my chine I spoke with a girl at the mall who worked for proactive she told me that's its normal for this to happen just keep using the product and within a month it should go away so I continue using proactive and my face just got worst Now I have this redish brownish color scars on my face its been months and they havnt went away. Thanks proactive
July 4, 2010

Pros:

it comes with everything you need,
helps clear acne quickly

Cons:

the moisturiser runs out quite quickly because its quite small
i think my skin got used to it and broke out again

i wouldnt buy it again but i would recommend it to someone with mild acne
June 22, 2010

Pros:

it reduced redness and it got rid of many of my small pimples. it also smells nice and makes my face feel smooth and look clean

Cons:

it dried out my skin a lot in the first week and its expensive.It doesnt really help my large pimples

I'd recommend it. It worked for me. The only thing that keeps me from buying more of it is the cost. The service was horrible too. However, it's been the best i've used so far.

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.

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.