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
October 23, 2007

Pros:

Smells fine, packaging is simple.

Cons:

Expensive, didn't work for me

I really saved up for this line. I used up the whole 2-month supply to find out that my face was destroyed. ProActiv gave me cystic acne, and I was not familiar with this type of acne. As soon as I started pricking them because they would just stay there and not heal for weeks, scars were all over my face... and I mean dented. I hate this product I could cry! I used to be able to heal my blemishes with tea tree oil, and now I can no longer use the oil to treat them. I am so disappointed I ever tried this. It altered my face in the worst possible way. :(
October 13, 2007

Pros:

Refreshing feeling, balances skin tone, non-comedogenic product

Cons:

Dry, flakey skin, expensive

Proactive works extremely well for some people, and for others it may not work. I think it is important to give it a try and not to give up on it because products take a little time to see a difference. I have seen amazing results from proactive, but from personal experience, it did not make my skin clearer. I still use it because I am in the process of figuring out whether I should keep using it or switch. Best wishes! :)
October 7, 2007

Pros:

It cleared acne on forehead

Cons:

didnt clear acne anywear else, made it worse

NOT GOOD
October 6, 2007

Pros:

There's a Proactiv product for every need - cleansing, spot treatment, moisturizer with SPF, masks, etc.

Cons:

If you don't use the exact same amount all the time then it's hard to get the automatic delivery in sync with you.

I have seen results for sure, mostly with the paiful syst type blemishes. It doesn't do much for blackheads, and for anything in between it's hard to find a balance between affective and over-drying. Their moisturizers don't work too well, although they don't feel heavy or pore-clogging either. It does work, but it's not a miracle cure. I'm still looking for something similar that's not a huge automatic charge to my credit card.
October 6, 2007

Pros:

Eventually the pipmple heals

Cons:

They say it yoru pimple heal sin 8 hours... IT DOESNT! it took me like about a week. Plus it burns. And the packaging is TINY compared to how big it looks on advertizment. 8 dollars is not so much, but honestly its not worth it. Id rather wait.

Doesnt work. Burns Skin.
October 4, 2007

Pros:

Your skin feels really clean after using this.

Cons:

Dryness

This is actually my third time trying this product, but im sticking it out this time. You people that say it runs out to soon are probably using waaaay to much of the product. You only need a little. The more you use, the more your skin becomes dry, and the more likely you are to break out. You can break out just as easily from dry skin as you can from excessive oily skin.
October 1, 2007

Pros:

clears up spots really quickly

Cons:

I've noticed if you don't wash your hands after you've used it and touch coloured clothes it can take colour out!!

Don't know how i used to live without this cream, within days of using it i noticed how clear and smooth my skin looked. Quinoderm 5 cream is what i used, i found that quinoderm 10 was a little bit too strong and really dried out my skin but definitley better having dry skin than a face full of spots!!
October 1, 2007

Pros:

Visibly reduces acne in one night. very easy to use. Saves me a lot of time and trouble.

Cons:

Because they're benzoyl peroxide, they might turn your clothes orange, but i havent noticed anything yet. Im just really careful about using them.

Love this product, the only thing ive found that will visibly reduce acne in one night and rapidly over a few days. I use these wipes after a makeup removing cloth and start to break out when i dont use them. I started using them when i ran out of proactiv and found that they worked really well. Now i use these on the nights i dont use proactiv and the combination has really helped my skin clear up.
September 30, 2007

Pros:

I've been fighting my acne for almost 30 years now, and this works better than any OTC or RX product...and I've tried them all. I've stopped going to the Dermatologist...my face is 100% acne-free.

Cons:

I always run out of the cleanser about 10-14 days before I run out of toner and lotion. Also, I never had wrinkles around my eyes until a few months into using this product...avoid using it around your eyes!

I highly recommend this. Any time I run out of it and use something else, I immediately break out again. Then, I buy more Klear Action, and clear up within days.
September 26, 2007

Pros:

the moisturizer

Cons:

made my face a 100 times worse

i started to use proactive because i really wanted to achieve perfect skin. i had the occasional breakout, but nothing that ever got out of hand. i started to use it and it gradually made me break out more and more before i knew it i was having terrible breakouts, i continued to stick with it thinking it is probably drawing all of it out and it will get worse before it got better. after 3 months i finally threw it away, a week after i stopped using it my skin just started to clear up so much better. not only did i lose 45 dollars on crap that made my face worse, but I am now left with acne scars because of it!!!!!

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.