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
September 2, 2008

Pros:

Cheap, good % of BP in the lotion

Cons:

Made my skin burn, turn red, and flake, did not clear up acne, full of harsh chemicals, cleanser made skin smell for ages afterwards,

I purchased the AcneFree Redness Relief kit and it was a pretty unpleasant experience. I believe I may be allergic to something in it, however, I wouldn't recommend the use of such harsh and irritating chemicals to anyone with acne.
September 1, 2008

Pros:

Day lotion feels nice,

Cons:

Cloggs my pores like crazy, BP has a small bottle and drys face a little, NOTE: KEEP YOUR PACKAGING AND RECEIPT!!!!!!!

didnt work, maybe its because i sleep on my stomach (face down) so my face touches my pillow? idk
September 1, 2008

Pros:

Works on stubborn comedones and moderate acne. Works slowly on cysts, but it does bring them down within a few days.
Removes redness, most BP gels heighten redness, but Dan's BP is really gentle.
I'm not as oily as before.

Cons:

Little bit of dryness. Easily fixed. Doesn't work 100% on all pimples, some still come through, but I don't mind being 90% clear.

I've tried Benzaclin, RAM and differin as well as over the counter BP, yet all those don't compare to Dan's BP. I'm never going to waste time and money at a derms office ever again. This BP works and does not make my face red, it seems to help with redness. Best of all, it actually works on acne! Ever since I started to experiment with RAM and differin, my forehead has been clogged with closed comedones and nothing could get rid of them. Not even switching back to the usual over the counter BP creams that used to work in the past for me could get rid of these whiteheads. Dan's BP was my last attempt before I truly quit even trying to rid myself of acne and I'm really glad I did. This stuff works like nothing else and it works gently. Don't bother with retin-a or with products that claim half a years wait time before results occur. Dan's BP works fast and it continues to work consistently. Thanks so much Dan!
August 31, 2008

Pros:

Works quickly

Cons:

Dries out skin

For the price really good I still have a bit of pimples but barely any, the toner really does dry out your sking but I have REALY oily sking to start out with so I leaves my skin 'normal' feeling
August 31, 2008

Pros:

good, cleared my skin fast and reduced redness, not as much drying as normal acne cream

Cons:

really small bottle, and if you arent careful, may dry skin a bit

fairly good product i would recommend it
August 30, 2008

Pros:

It works pretty well.

Cons:

Drying

Bottom line is acne often seems to stem from hair products, like curl creams. My hair looks awful without the products, but then my face breaks out if I use the hair stuff. My face literally clears up completely if no hair products. Anyone know of good curl cream/wave cream that doesn't break your entire face out?
August 29, 2008

Pros:

Makes your face feel great! Doesn't take up a lot of time. Works really fast. Gets rid of all whiteheads and blackheads.

Cons:

Doesn't help with inflamed, red pimples. A little pricy. The smell of the toner is very strong.

I used proactiv before this and I like this a lot better. It works great at getting rid of whiteheads and blackheads, but if you're acne is bad, i wouldn't recommend it. I let the soap soak into your skin for about an hour before washing it out at night, and it works a lot better than if you just wash it off fast. Really Great Product!
August 28, 2008

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Leaves my skin oily, Burns sometimes, Smell is awful,

If you stop taking the product, You face breaks out even worse than before you started using it.
August 25, 2008

Pros:

it prevented me from getting breakouts :) but i have some scars so it didnt help those obviously [for scars use Neutrogena's Fight N Fade]

Cons:

its not totally consistent...you might have to take a little break off of it here and there. but it depends on your skin type. i guess mines the one it usually works for. but its really expensive

try it out! dont expect magic happening overnight though...you have to stick with it for about 6 weeks.
August 24, 2008

Pros:

I have only had this product for about a day or two, and I like it so far. It makes my skin feel clean and there were some results after just a few hours!

Cons:

It does sting a little, but other than that, it works pretty well.

Give it a try. It depends on what kind of skin you have. I've had it for a day, and I've seen results. So far, it's a good product, but we'll see what happens. It works way better if you buy some of the extra products, like the oil blotting pads, concealer, and refining mask, which means you have to pay a lot more $$$, but they work like a charm.

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.