Benzoyl Peroxide
Results
Side Effects

Benzoyl peroxide is a topical treatment that kills acne bacteria and dries/peels the skin, helping to keep pores unclogged.

It is usually applied once or twice a day to the acne-affected area. You should see results quickly, but sometimes it takes 4 to 6 weeks of treatment to become apparent.

3.5
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Compare To Other Treatments
5
31.3%
4
25%
3
17.2%
2
12.5%
1
14%

Used Benzoyl Peroxide? Rate It:

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January 4, 2011
Product used: Clinique (Acne Solutions Clear Skin System)

Pros:

Leaves skin feeling soft, lightly cleanses and is very nice to use, not as expensive as say Proactiv

Cons:

Does not help with clearing acne one bit

I bought this in hopes that unlike Proactiv, it would be less drying and smelly and work better. I didn't feel any dryness and it smelled pleasant, but it didn't seem to do much. My skin was in a stagnant state for around a week and then my skin worsened. I went to the Clinique stand at David Jones and told them what was happening, and they said to give it six more weeks and it would definitely work. It didn't. With the worst skin I had ever had in my life, I returned to Proactiv and although harsh, it cleared up my skin instantaneously. There is no gentle way to treat acne.
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January 4, 2011
Product used: Clean & Clear (Persa Gel 5)

Pros:

-small
-clear when put on
-no itching or redness
-works fast!!

Cons:

i just love it!!!!

so i've bought this product yesterday. And i'm ALREADY seeing results!!!!!!!!!! It put it on twice a day(in the morning and at night) and it reduces the size and redness of pimples right away!!!! One thing i hate is when you get pimples you can pop, and this product make the pimple appear so you can pop it before school in the morning!!! I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!! IT'S THE BEST I'VE USED!
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January 3, 2011
Product used: AcneFree (24 Hour Acne Clearing System)

Pros:

I started using this kit in October. I used this kit with Acne Free's mask, which didn't come with the kit, but on the box it said u could use them together. Anyway, Acne Free made my acne a little better, mostly making bumps smaller and less noticeable. But it did not clear my acne. It is pretty strong. Don't put it near your eyes, it will burn the skin.

Cons:

It is now January and I am still using it and it's not working. I am giving up on this and trying to find something better. It stopped working about 1 month in.

I DO NOT recommend this to anyone except someone with mild acne. DON'T BUY IT! Huge waste of time and money
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December 8, 2010
Product used: Clearasil (Ultra Rapid Acne Vanishing Treatment Cream)

Pros:

FEELS like it's drying out your pimples

Cons:

After about 4 hours i could feel swelling not just where my acne already was but in new places. "Bringing old junk up" or not.. I don't think this is the way I want to go about clearing my skin.. It felt off.. that's not what healing should feel like.

Possibly for a spot treatment, yes. But I can't speak from experience as I used it as a BP treatment since the store was out of the neutrogena BP cream.
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December 2, 2010
Product used: AcneFree (24 Hour Acne Clearing System)

Pros:

works for the first few months

Cons:

dries skin out.
doesnt work.
EXPENSIVE &
only lasts a month and a half. or less.

Acne Free really cleared my acne the first few months of using it. the problem is, you have to by it like once a month because the 3rd step you run out of REALLY fast.
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December 1, 2010
Product used: AcneFree (24 Hour Acne Clearing System)

Pros:

None

Cons:

Caused more breakouts than I've ever had in my life, smells bad, 3rd step has a hard to squeeze bottle

I was using a Neutrogena cleanser and acne lotion and barely had any breakouts, maybe one or two during my mensturation cycle. However, I wanted to try a new product that I thought would work well, but wow was I wrong. I started to have a reaction to the product and had one breakout... then another. I stayed calm and thought "maybe it will get worse before better," but then I got another, and another. Mind you that I have never broken out like this, Ever. I don't care what people say, but when a product makes you breakout more at the beginning, even if it does die down, it means that your body is allergic to it and trying to fight it off, then your body gets used to the product, and if you ever try to go off it, you will break out again. It's a horrible cycle and I do not recommend getting caught up in it. I stopped using it after a week and am back to a gentle cleanser. Unfortunately, my face is still reacting to the reaction and I'm still breaking out. Hopefully it will calm down again naturally.
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November 30, 2010
Product used: Triaz (Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser)

Pros:

Face feels softer, no bleaching of eyebrows/hairline (yet), reducing acne and blackheads (gradually)

Cons:

Could potentially bleach hair or fabric, expensive

I have (had?) mild-moderate acne with cystic pimples along my jawline, chin, and occasionally on the forehead, along with a few whiteheads on cheeks and/or forehead, and the normal blackheads on nose. That sounds worse than it is, since I'd usually have 1-2 cystic pimples at any one time, and then the same number of whiteheads. The first week of use, using the 6% cloths, I broke out with four new cystic pimples. They were painful and very stubborn lasting 2-4 weeks each. This is 2-3x the number I would normally have at any given time. However, I am now about 6 weeks into the system, and have had only one new cystic pimple since that initial break-out. I continue to have the occasional whitehead, and while I have noticed an improvement on my nose, the pores on my cheeks are still large. I would say that my skin is showing signs of improvement, and unless my dermatologist recommends otherwise at my 6 week follow-up, I will continue with Triaz. The biggest pro, in my opinion, to Triaz over another BP product is that it is used in the shower and is rinsed off in a safe environment where it can do less damage. I'm not bleaching any towels, t-shirts, etc. with its use (I have white towels-they look fine), whereas a topical BP product could damage clothes/furniture/towels. I am using Triaz in conjunction with Ziana, which seems to be a very common combo as both are made by the same drug company and their pharm reps are doing their job. I am pleased with this combo thus far, having had no major irritations and am seeing fewer new pimples. For reference, Triaz is a third tier prescription on my insurance's formulary, so you may have to be specific that you want Triaz and not the generic. I have several coupons from my doctor which reduce the price to $10 a month from the insurance co-pay of $60. The pharmacy's label on the box tells me that my insurance saved me more than $300.
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November 24, 2010
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)

Pros:

makes my skin feel clean and soft

Cons:

stingy amounts, expensive

My skin seemed to be getting worse with age. At 34, I seem to have more pimples than I did in my teens! I finally decided to order the product when I overheard two women talking about how good it was. For the first month, after doing the 3 steps, my skin would burn (mild but uncomfortable) for about 5 to 10 minutes. This doesn't happen anymore, so my skin must be getting used to it. It really does work, all the little surface white heads on my cheeks have gone, but If I miss using it even once (I wash morning and night) I start breaking out again. And I still get the larger, painful pimples on my chin, though less frequently. My biggest gripe is that the cleanser ran out about 2-3 weeks before my next lot is due. they give you this tiny little bottle with 120ml in it and it's supposed to last you 60 days. Wash 2x daily which means you can only use 1ml per wash! That's like a couple of drops! I tried to use only a little bit each time, but you can't be too stingy with it because it won't cover your whole face otherwise. I'm almost tempted to cancel my orders for this reason alone. I think I'll use my next batch (only my second lot) and then give it up. Sounds like you can get products that work just as well from the chemist shop anyway. (and cheaper!)
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July 21, 2010
Product used: AcneFree (24 Hour Acne Clearing System)

Pros:

-AMAZING redness relief!
-Soothes, doesn't burn!
-Not too expensive.
-Didn't dry skin.
-Can buy in stores.

Cons:

-Didn't notice much acne change.

My face was so red and irrated the first night I used it. The next morning ALL redness and irritation was completely gone! I felt like jumping for joy - HIGHLY recomended for redness, not for acne. I also used the redness relief kit.
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July 10, 2010
Product used: Carley's Clear and Smooth (Kick Ass Acne Treatment)

Pros:

Smells like citris. The bar soap Is nice.

Cons:

Cannot use anyother acne cleaning products. Bar soap stinks.

I used this for about a year becuase ive read alot of good things about it on the reveiws. But it didnt do anything at all for me.
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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.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

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.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website