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
April 21, 2010

Pros:

BE VERY CAREFUL, PROACTIV SEND A REPEAT ORDER WITHOUT ASKING, FIRST YOU HEAR IS THAT THEY HAVE DESPATCHED IT. CHEEKY b********S

Cons:

BE VERY CAREFUL, PROACTIV SEND A REPEAT ORDER WITHOUT ASKING, FIRST YOU HEAR IS THAT THEY HAVE DESPATCHED IT. CHEEKY b********S

BE VERY CAREFUL, PROACTIV SEND A REPEAT ORDER WITHOUT ASKING, FIRST YOU HEAR IS THAT THEY HAVE DESPATCHED IT. CHEEKY b********S
April 18, 2010

Pros:

-Moisturizer was amazing!
-Cleared up my skin quickly for a few weeks

Cons:

-EXPENSIVE
-Didn't keep my skin clear for long

I found that the cleanser worked for a few weeks, and then my acne reappeared. I wouldn't waste your money on the entire kit, because as a whole, it won't help anymore than cheap drugstore products. That being said, Clinique moisturizer is wonderful!! I highly recommend spending the money on it and pairing it with inexpensive cleansers (like Proactiv!!).
April 6, 2010

Pros:

None

Cons:

The refining mask caused an allergic reaction all over my chin. Caused my face to break out really really bad after the rash cleared up.

Okay, so I have used Proactive for about 2 years and it worked SO well. Then they get the genius idea to CHANGE THE FORMULA!!!! I ran out of the older set so I reordered the new one. I used it and my face was sooooo dry. Then I used it again the next day, minus the refining mask, and the next morning I had 3 under the skin pimples (Which I rarely ever get. At most I will have one and it's not even bad.) It made me sooo mad that it caused my skin to be in such bad shape because it used to work wonders!
March 31, 2010

Pros:

-Inexpensive
-Walmart carries them
-Apart of Dan's skin regimen

Cons:

-irritation (pins and needles)
-white marks left behind on skin
-dries too quickly

i have used this product everyday for a couple of weeks and made my skin very very sensitive to drastic change of temperatures, not really "drastic" more like a sudden change of hot to cold or vice versa. After I apply this product every morning, I feel that if I move my face or smile my face will crack and destroy my skin.
March 20, 2010

Pros:

Affordable, great customer service, their other products are good.

Cons:

3 Steps, have to use washcloth, expensive shipping

I reviewed this product a few weeks ago and gave it 5 stars. I came back to give my second review with 2 stars for their other skin care products but not the clear and smooth system. I did another review because after 5 weeks of using the system I developed a devistating case of cystic acne all along my jawline, my chin, and forehead areas. It was so painful and it was BAD. My co workers and friends noticed and questioned what happened to me. I'm 45 years old as well. I had very mild hormonal acne and I want to try this. I used it faithfully and correctly. I was very careful with rinsing as well. I knew I was using correctly because I went the first 5 weeks with completely clear skin. Of course I stopped using it, and since then its been two weeks ago and its almost cleared up. I have sensitive skin and I know this type of skin usually doesn't do well with a scrub based treatment with added Benzoil Peroxide. I'll continue to use their other products, I love them because they are freshly made and on the organic side.
February 20, 2010

Pros:

None!

Cons:

Pricey!
It gave me much more acne than I had before...I have never had this much acne =(

I wouldn't EVER recommend this product to anyone! It left my face with worse acne, red marks and scars! I really can't believe this has happened to me I thought it would really help clearing out my skin and it made it much worse!
February 17, 2010

Pros:

my skin is clear for the first time in years

Cons:

none

5 weeks into using this acne soap, i am literally a different person. My skin has been clear since day two or three - NO BREAKOUTS in over 40 days. I can finally leave my house without makeup and still feel confident. even my scars seem less noticable now that my skin is clear.
February 17, 2010

Pros:

works great!
does what they claim it does

Cons:

none that I have found in 2 years

love ALL their products The soap is fabulous - my whole family uses it The kick ass acne scrub is the BEST I've used in 38 years I use the loose foundation & lotions also. Nice to know there's no unneccesary fillers.
February 17, 2010

Pros:

Natural, makes skin feel smooth and clean

Cons:

made me in particular, very oily right after using it for the first time, right when my skin dried i can see little sparkles of oil on my nose, cheeks and forehead, and then it slowly started to make my acne worse... If you use this on the body too, its a lot of work in the shower, and it can get tedious... really tedious... and i feel guilty for wasting so much water

Alright so i've been waiting to review this product for a while, and i think i've reached my breaking point... I switched over from dan's regime to this... its been about 2 weeks, at first i thought it was working, but when i hit week one, i realized my acne was just getting worse. I know it says to give it 2-6 weeks, but i realized i don't want to be so heavily reliant on a product, especially on my body acne...thats more subjective. I'm a little disappointed, but i'm goign to keep using this just cause i'm not sure what my next move is going to be... i'm just really tired of having acne and having to put on products, i just want normal skin that i don't have to be so cautious about... accutane is actually in consideration even though i have light-moderate acne... but its light-moderate all over my body so i guess its reasonable... if my acne gets better since i'm continuing the use of this product i'll put up a better review.. but for now i'm in the middle... i jus tdont think its worth having my acne get worse if i know its not going to be gone forever
February 16, 2010

Pros:

actually does what it say
all natural
only thing that's worked for me
HUGE bottle for $20.. lasts months

Cons:

really can't think of any

i came across carley's after trying a trillion products that didn't work. i decided to give it a try, and it's honestly the only thing that's ever worked for me. i love this stuff. i'm allergic to BP, but the BP in carleys is in such a small level, plus you rinse it off, so i have no problems at all with it. if you use it consistently and do it like the instructions say, it works =] it cleared me up to the point that i got cocky and decided i didn't need it anymore, but i was soon regretting it. so many people have skin issues from using harsh products, or due to allergies to all the filler crap they put in most products these days, and they don't know that that's what causes their acne. carley's is all natural. people think that they have to be harsh to their skin to fight acne, and it's simply not true. this gentle approach worked a thousand times better for me than the harsh products i had been using. if you ever want to know more about my experience with it, let me know. my org name is the same as the name on the review =]

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.