Benzoyl Peroxide
Topical Antibacterial
Reviews
3.5
20781 Reviews
Benzoyl Peroxide
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.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Topical Antibacterial
Side Effects
Low-Medium
Benzoyl Peroxide
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.
Benzoyl Peroxide
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%

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October 8, 2011
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)

Pros:

-clears up your acne within 2-3 weeks
-cheap compared to the many different solutions i've already tried

Cons:

-smells bad for a few minutes
-repairing treatment can look oily if you don't dab off after a few minutes

I had really bad acne, even cystic acne all the time all in my t-zone. I started proactiv and used regularly for about 6 months only skipping a morning here or there. Now I only get the occasional little white head due to hormones (i'm a teenager). I've been using it for over 2 years now and i am so much more confident now. and the best part is that i can now go for days at a time without using it and i still remain acne free. however the repairing treatment can dry out your face first which is why i always used clean n' clear moisturizer before using the toner or moisturizer and i now have smooth moisturized skin. Try this product and stick with it for a month or so. It can take time.
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May 29, 2011
Product used: Neutrogena (On-the-Spot Acne Treatment (Old Formula))

Pros:

None

Cons:

Left dark marks where applied
Ineffective

I bought this hoping that it would clear a bout of chin acne that I'd never experienced until recently -- mostly whiteheads and the occasional deep papule. Per Dan's advice, I applied the BP sparingly at first and gradually applied more. Not only did the product not clear my existing blemishes, but it left my skin a few shades darker in the area to which I had applied it, exacerbating spots of hyperpigmentation. I later tried using On-the-Spot as a spot treatment, and found that it did not shrink the blemishes and, again, left the areas darker than they appeared previously.
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April 25, 2011
Product used: Carley's (Clear and Smooth Skin Treatment)

Pros:

None

Cons:

Scrub doesn't rinse of completely, soap drys skin, cause pimples that don't go away, cause some cystic acne around the nose area.

wished i never used it, seemed to be working the first week then everything went down hill. its says it might take a while to work but its causing acne i hadn't had in areas for over 2 years. didn't do any good for me.
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March 30, 2011
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)

Pros:

Helped within days
Easy to order
Fast shipping
Easy to make your own kit
Lots of free extras on first order

Cons:

Pricey

I LOVE this stuff. My skin was rediculously dry before I stared using Proactive. This product used with the Daily Oil Control and Oil Free Moisture has cleared most of my pimples and all of the dryness in a matter of 3 weeks. Almost time for kit #2!!! Highly recommended
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March 20, 2011
Product used: Clean & Clear (Advantage Acne Control Kit)

Pros:

face felt clean & fresh afterwards

Cons:

dried out skin!
very harsh on skin

i've been using this for a month but it dried out my face really bad. i usually have dry skin because it is cold where i live so i always have to use a moisturizer afterwards. i decided that this product was too harsh because step 1 was 10% BP! plus all the other chemicals in step 2/3. so, i did some research and switched face washes to a 100% natural burts bee acne solution face wash! i did some research and thought it wouldnt hurt to try something new and different! i've used acnefree, clean & clear kit, neutrogena products, proactiv, etc etc and they all worked the same. i am also prescribed clindamycin phosphate gel usp, 1% (but am going to the dermatologist soon to get prescribed something stronger) i have light - moderate acne, with dry skin.
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December 31, 2010
Product used: Clean & Clear (Continuous Control Acne Cleanser)

Pros:

Cheap
Buy locally
Creamy texture
High concentration of BP

Cons:

Didn't clear acne
Contains mineral oil and petrolem

This cleanser did not work for me. It is like most of the other cleansers out there. It's nothing special. I also looked at the ingredients and it contains mineral oil and petrolem which isnt too good for your skin. It works alright, but definatly not the best!
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October 22, 2010
Product used: Carley's (Clear and Smooth Skin Treatment)

Pros:

I like their natural soap.
Received full refund without any problems.
Customer service was quick to respond via email.

Cons:

Treatment didn't work, and made breakouts worse.
Customer service, although quick, often came across as curt and lecturing, and seemed insistent that it was my fault that the product wasn't working, when in actuality I was following their regimen to a tee.

I used this for just over 3 months, which is the length of period the website suggests before I can ascertain whether or not the product's working. Despite my concern that wiping my face with a wash cloth even gently was too abrasive for my skin, I went ahead with their regimen. For the first couple weeks everything seemed fine. But eventually, and unsurprisingly, the wash cloth served only to spread the bacteria around, so what started out as individual whiteheads soon became clusters of whiteheads, the likes of which I had never experienced before. And this problem persisted for the several months I was on this regimen, and only subsided until I decided to quit. Also, the fact that I was advised against using any moisturiser left my skin feeling exceptionally dry. When I inquired about this, I was told to leave the natural soap on my face for a couple minutes to let it absorb into my skin. Doing this did not remedy the dryness. Judging from other reviews, perhaps this product does indeed work for others. But it didn't for me. Fortunately thanks to the full refund it wasn't a waste of money in the end. Just a waste of time.
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October 15, 2010
Product used: Clean & Clear (Continuous Control Acne Cleanser)

Cons:

Redness
Worsens acne
Dries our skin

It cleared my acne for a couple days and then it got worse. I continued using it and then my skin got really dry and more breakouts appeared.
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August 9, 2010
Product used: Clearasil (Ultra Rapid Acne Vanishing Treatment Cream)

Pros:

cleared up acne slightly but after 4 days, lost about 5 pimples.

Cons:

dried out my face badly on my chin, upper lip and top cheek basiclly where i added the clearasil

this stuff kind of works for me but dries out my face where i put it, it dried it out in 5 days so i stopped using it.
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August 1, 2010
Product used: Clearasil (Ultra Rapid Acne Vanishing Treatment Cream)

Pros:

price

Cons:

rash on face

did not work on my sensitive skin. it actually inflammed it :(
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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