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
July 27, 2008

Pros:

are you serious!!! this product is ridiculous!! honestly i've tried every acne treatment you can think of... except for pro active and that's just cause i've seen what it really does to people face "makes it worse". and no acne treatment comes close!

Cons:

i guess... the only bad thing about it is that its only sold at wal-mart but... isn't that where everyone shops???

if you want a acne treatment that actually does its job..... then equate is right for you!!
July 24, 2008

Pros:

Seems to work within the first 2 days

Day lotion makes skin feel fresh and smells nice

Cons:

The night cream drys my face a little

Any activity that involves intense sweating with the day cream just feels gross

I have only used Advanced Solutions for about 3 days and it seems to be doing the job. I have never had severe acne but ocassionally I will break out in certain areas, and sicne I have started using Advanced Solutions I havent had any new pimples
July 23, 2008

Pros:

clears pimples

Cons:

doesnt clear blackheads, burns skin, dries it out

it worked pretty good for me. everyone says it gets worse before the acne starts to clear but after the first day of using proactive, i already saw some of the acne clear up. it didnt clear everything, but it cleared a lot of it.
July 23, 2008

Pros:

Worked first time.

Cons:

Expensive
Makes skin dry and red.

Instead of getting rid of the acne, it seemed to hide it more than anything. Doesn't work.
July 19, 2008

Cons:

It burned my skin, made it horribly dry, and caused me to break out in little red bumps. Even after I stopped using it for 2 weeks my skin felt horrible. My face felt like I had a really bad sunburn.

These products are not worth all of the hype.
July 18, 2008

Pros:

The cleanser makes your skin super soft, the toner isn't harsh and watery, it actually has a bit of a milky/creamy sense to it, though not overwhelmingly so, and the lotion is gentle.

Cons:

You have to order the products, you can't just run to the store to pick it up when it runs out. The cost is also a bit more than some other products.

Try it! It may not work for everyone, but it doesn't hurt to try. Nothing works for everyone! And if it works for you, the cost is worth it. Can't blame a person for wanting to make a buck these days. They deserve my money if their product works for me. You can't expect people to practically give away their products.
July 17, 2008

Pros:

works in an instant!!!! work soon as i put it on

Cons:

may become dry but use a lotion or something

works great
July 15, 2008

Pros:

It cleared up my skin in less than a week and i feel more confident in my looks.

Cons:

Makes My skin dry.

It Is Awesome. I suggest you use it like every other day if your skin dries easily.
July 14, 2008

Pros:

Simple 3 step process...

Cons:

Toner made my skin burn and itch very badly only and in the end I had very dry skin.

Why are people paying $50 for this product? Because something had to pay for Jessica Simpson's paycheck. Proactiv works initially, only to dry skin out terribly leading to further breakouts. In the end, it's not worth it.
July 14, 2008

Pros:

Did clear up acne, left my skin feeling less greasy.

Cons:

Makes skin dry and itchy, stopped working after a while. Also very expensive and annoying to order off the website, which has automatic shipping.

I have struggled with acne since my early teens. I had terrible acne all over my face, mainly forehead and chin, and after seeing several dermatologists and many prescription medications, nothing would help. I decided to try proactiv after my sister had tried it and it worked for her. I could feel results after the first use. It did clear up a lot of my acne and made my skin feel soft, but after about 2 years of use I have stopped seeing any results. I am now looking for a new regimine.

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.