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:

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December 14, 2010
I feel bad posting this after being a consultant for Rodan + Fields, but these are my honest thoughts regarding PROACTIV right now..... It would be worth trying the products if they didn't SCAM you into continuing to pay for them! I have asked these people REPEATEDLY to delete my credit card from their system and cancel all orders, and yet my credit card continues to be charged. To top it off they refuse to refund money for products that I NEVER wanted until I return them, which takes "4-6 weeks." Now I have to go through the hassle of getting a brand new credit card and filing complaints for CREDIT CARD FRAUD. Their customer service is terrible...even placing my initial trial order was a hassle. You're lucky to get someone who speaks understandable English even luckier to get someone who knows what they're talking about. The last time I called in I was put on hold for several minutes, hung up on, and then got a man with poor English and so much background noise I could barely hear him. I would not recommend purchasing products from Guthy & Runker to anyone I even remotely care about!!!!! Guthy & Runker has nothing to do with Rodan + Fields Dermatologists....I would still trust any of their consultants in a heartbeat!
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December 8, 2010

Pros:

leaves no film or residue, goes on clean.
cheap, bulk size bottles.
high quality & consistent.

Cons:

wish i could buy it in a store!

Once I started using this BP, I never looked back. It has a staple in my routine for over 4 years. Every bottle I get lasts me at least a month (and I use a lot!) and the quality is consistently high. I don't know if I could live without this... seriously. I laugh when I hear people talk about Proactiv. If only they knew how much BETTER this stuff is than that crumbly, chalky white Proactiv crap!
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November 19, 2010

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

-gave me more acne in places ive never had acne before
-burn my skin
-leave acne scars
-it ruin my face

I bought this S..T about 2 years ago ( sorry about the word but when i remember what this did to my face makes me mad) because i had very moderate acne in one cheek on my face, i want my face completely clean. i started using it step by step and in less than a month i was breaking out horrible cysts i have never had in my life!! specially in my other cheek that was COMPLETELY CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL. i stopped using it and i called for a complaint and they said that maybe my skin is too sensible and they were going to send me the sensitive pack for free ( i really dont remember if i paid something, this was like 2 years ago). I was really terrified to try anything else from proactive, so I stopped using it. But the worst thing is that the cysts (they were the ones that never mature, they are just big red horrible cysts) didnt stop coming out for months and months!! My skin was horrible, my self-esteem was in the floor, i didnt want to anybody look my face, worst moments in my life :_(. Then i went to a dermatologist (expensive) that did help me out with some medicine and creams. This happen years ago but I did want to share my experience with this crap that i believe for the commercials, celebrities etc.. I would never want that someone else have to had the same nightmare that i had, so if you are thinking of buying proactive, prepare to be inactive with the world and your social life. DONT BUY IT!! I wish i could sue that soab's for burn my face, leave me scars and robed my money!! Died proactive DIED!! Just in case i have prove, dont believe me? i still have the proactive that i bought, i have everything, photos before and how leave my face, DONT BUY IT!!!
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November 7, 2010

Pros:

not that expensive, doesn't smell as bad as the apple cider vinegar I've been using

Cons:

it just didn't work, it really did make me develop a very strange and deep form of pimples in my cheeks I had never experienced before

this stuff is terrible. I hate how highly praised it is as it is pure crap. I tried it for three solid months. the first two days I used it the exfoliation made my skin bright and smooth and my mild acne seemed like it would soon become a thing of the past, and then the cheek pimples appeared. I have never seen anything like them, three, four, five of them at a time on each cheek. so large and red and huge that no amount of concealer will cover them. I decided it was just proactiv flushing the toxins out, and stuck with it for a total of three months, but they just kept coming. some stick around for weeks, and that doesn't mean I'm not still getting them every day, I still wake up with one or two a day, and I don't know what to do. maybe it's just a coincidence, or maybe proactiv is just a huge scam. PROBABLY the latter. maybe it will work for you, maybe it will cause you to get strange and chronic acne you previously didn't have. I hope not though! proceed with caution is all I'm saying.
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October 26, 2010

Pros:

-Cleared up acne
-Refining Mask Works Great
-Toner moisturizes great
-Lotion is soft on the skin
-Quick process for an acne medicine routine
-Can be used once a day and still be effective

Cons:

-Made my face a little more oily, but I have had oily skin since the start, so no surprise there
-Slightly Expensive
-Can be harsh when first starting usage
-Will bleach fabrics/towels

I have used this product for over four years, once a day, and it works great. At the beginning, you may break out more, but be patient and Proactiv will do its thing. Once the situation in under control, Proactiv does a great job of keeping it under control. I do get random break-outs of one or two pimples, but that is usually during high-stress situations, such as finals. I would recommend this to anyone, definitely worth the price. I most recently bought the "value" size and it has lasted me a year and a half. :)
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October 7, 2010

Pros:

~ Makes your face less oily
~ Doesn't dry your skin up
~ Less blemishes
~ Pimples go away

Cons:

~ Expensive

It doesn't really dry your skin out unless if your allergic to benzoyl peroxide or if your skin is not use to it or that it's too harsh. Remember it has 5% (2.5%+2.5%) so it's pretty tough! AND if your considering to buy Proactiv, purchase the Green Tea moisturiser. Works well.
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October 3, 2010

Pros:

Worked Amazing, reasonable price.

Cons:

Drying until applying acne.org moisturizer. Bleaches some fabric like all BP.

Works amazing! the regimen got rid of all of my acne and I had fairly severe acne.
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September 27, 2010

Pros:

None

Cons:

Both my sister and I used this product and we both, within varying hours of use, experienced severely swollen and puffy eyes. The puffiness has continued into the next day with itchiness, and is the kind of reaction that you'd need sunglasses to cover if you have to go out for any public outings. My sister had to schedule a visit to her doctor and will miss work because of it.

Something in this formula can cause user's eyes to swell to horrifying levels. I've read that others have experienced this, and cannot recommend this product, even though Johnson & Johnson and Clean & Clear are brands that I've trusted over the years. This product is going directly in the garbage, after a call to Johnson & Johnson's corporate office.
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September 16, 2010

Pros:

Easy to use, cheap, tasteless

Cons:

Eventually ineffective with immunity. ie: Makes your acne stronger and more resilient!

I started using this stuff when I was 12 or 13. For two months I saw great improvement in my skin using both the pill and cream system, however instead of drying out my skin overcompensated and got significantly more oily. After the two months my skin acne went back to where it was to begin with (which, thankfully wasn't that bad). I decided to stop using the cream since it was at this point doing nothing but make my skin oily, but continued with the pills. I took those pills for YEARS. I'm 20 now, and I still have moderate acne. I went off the pills once for a summer to try and find something more effective and my skin flared up with outbreaks like a Christmas tree. Not only did my body become accustomed to the pills, but after so long they needed them just to stay down at the baseline. I'm off them again but this time with a product that I hope to be more effective. I would never recommend Nature's Cure to anyone who actually has an acne problem.
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September 11, 2010

Pros:

The Sulfur mask seemed to help with swelling and redness.

Cons:

Bleaches EVERYTHING
Over drying
Makes skin oily
Seems to make acne worse-definitely more painful

I have only been using the products little trial kit for a little under a month now, twice a day every day, and I have seen no results. The first week I thought, well maybe it's because I am on my period. Second week my skin seemed oily (something I have never had a problem with). I though maybe it's because of the heat wave and I have just been sweating a lot. Just finished my third week, skin still seems oily, but also really dry in some areas and I fear over-moisturizing (I can't stand my face getting any worse!) I feel as though my skin has gotten worse, and I am just as miserable (if not more) than I was before I was on the product. Maybe I am not giving it enough time, but I cant afford to keep trying proactive if it isn't going to work.
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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.

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.