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
April 26, 2010

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

make my face swollen and my eyes swollen

DON'T BUY IT!!!!
May 29, 2011

Pros:

Clears up acne.

Cons:

Must be used exactly as directed.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury: I used Proactiv when I was 16 and it made my face red and blotchy, but it cleared up my acne. The reason it worked so poorly was because I USED IT WRONG! Use it as directed, if your face gets dry, only use it once a day. If it seems to be fine, use it twice a day as directed. Listen to your skin!! We all have different skins and different needs and Proactiv cannot possibly cater to that, you need to learn your skin and adapt. I don't ALWAYS use Proactiv, not if my skin starts to feel bad, that way my skin can't get used to it either. I had bad acne and I barely get any breakouts now.
November 6, 2008

Pros:

NONE YET

Cons:

used it for one night, last night, and wen i woke up it was red, really red like sunburn, use only if u can deal with the hot, burning feeling of what feels like sunburn. OWwww.

buy if u want to get sunburn without going outside
June 5, 2008

Pros:

didnt work

Cons:

didnt work

ugggh
June 7, 2011

Pros:

- Dries out pimples
- Prevents Acne

Cons:

- Doesn't really get rid of pimples, just prevents anymore from growing
- Expensive
-TINY BOTTLES!!!
- Irritates face (for me it did.)

Soo i've used this product for about 4 or 5 months. The first time i washed my face with it, my skin felt refreshed and clean. I had a really good feeling about it. I put the toner on and it stinged a little. After a couple of minutes i put on the lotion and i felt refreshed again. That night i went to bed and the next morning my face was RED! I just thought maybe if i kept putting it on, the redness will eventually go away. I used it again that morning. For about a week that i've been using it day & night, i noticed that my face was all dry and peeling. I stopped using it for one day. Then i kept the cycle going again, just this time i only did it once a day. after maybe 2 or 3 weeks i started using it twice a day because i had an important party to go to and i didn't want to have pimples all over my face. During those times i saw a difference. My face was clearer. Then by the end of the 3rd month i saw zits again. By the middle of the 4th month, the treatement stopped working. (for me at least) Then by the 5th month i ran out & i just thought what's the point of spending more money for something that isn't working for me. You CAN see a difference, it just depends on your skin too. It didn't work that great for me but you can give it a try!
May 17, 2011

Pros:

helps alot
cleared my acne
amazing
refining mask takes them away in 1 day

Cons:

alot of steps

i think this product is amazing! i wasnt using it properly but it was still clearing up my skin. then i found out how to use it and for me now, it works day and night. it is fantastic. i wish i hadnt waited so long to bye this product. i am getting a lot of comments about how my skin is looking really nice. Thank Proactiv, you made my life alot more easier
March 17, 2011

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

left my face dry
smelled
third step was hard to squeeze out
never saw any improvements
AWFUL

it worked for about one day... but my skin became resistant to it!! and it never worked and left my skin dry!!! very bad product do not buy!!!
January 17, 2011

Pros:

-zits reduced

Cons:

-dry skin
-REDNESS
-irritation

OVER KILL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i hated this, i really did. PEOPLE! SPOT TREATMENTS DO NOT WORK! I visited my dermatologist and she said to use JUST : Gentle Clenser, and a Moisturizer THATS IT. i started doing this, my sister, and my friends. Our faces are soo clean and flawless! dont waste your time on spot treatments!!
December 12, 2010

Pros:

absolutely none

Cons:

made my acne worse
gave me cystic acne

I can't believe I fell for the all the good reviews and got this! This took my mild-to-moderate hormonal acne from bad to much much worse! Within a week of using, I started getting small hard red pimples on my cheeks and chin. A month later, hard painful cystic acne. I still have a picture from my birthday party where I'm trying to hide my face behind my hair, that's how bad it was! After about four months, I looked in the mirror and just threw the bottle away (I should've saved it to get a refund). In short, this stuff is HORRIBLE! What saved me was Dan Kern's benzoyl peroxide lotion. With that, within two months my skin cleared up - but I still have red marks from the cysts from Carleys treatment. Beware!!
November 20, 2010

Pros:

smells good
soap leaves face feeling smooth

Cons:

it made me break out
left my face really dry

i bought this product because of all the good reviews that I found here, but it made my face even worse after a couple of months

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.