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
December 31, 2016
Horrible
DO NOT ORDER!!! Scam!!! They just continue to take your money no matter how many times you call!
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November 20, 2016
Would not recomend
Benzoyl peroxide is the devil. It is quite potent as an antibacterial which is why it may clear up acne for some individuals (and granted it doesn't lead to antibiotic resistance). However, the way it works is damaging to the skin- it produces free radicals which will kill bacteria but will also damage your own skin cells! This will lead to inflammation, irritating your skin and preventing it from functioning smoothly, and build up of dead materials inside your skin which contribute further to comedogenic acne and breakouts. Free radical damage can also contribute to premature aging and promotes acne scarring- nobody wants that. I used benzac for a couple of months and while it did sort of help my superficial breakouts (whiteheads etc) it didn't do anything for deeper cysts. My skin was constantly dry and peeling, and my complexion was very dull and discoloured. I was also left with scarring and pigmentation from even the smallest blemishes, which didn't happen previously. So even when I didn't have any breakouts I wasn't comfortable without makeup due to pigmentation, scarring and a strange, dull, brownish complexion. In addition to this I developed forehead lines real quick- I'm only 19! I started using retin-a and when I used benzac with this it was extremely painful and my face basically peeled away (tretinoin cream is fabulous stuff without using benzac with it!!) I'm studying medicine and the fact that derms recommend this product makes me angry- it's really not healthy for your face in the short or long term. Switch to another antibacterial agent such as azelaic acid (brand is az-clear or finacea)!! Azelaic acid is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and is equal to benzoyl peroxide in its antibacterial effect. Due to reducing inflammation it will prevent scarring and post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation. It also reduces pigmentation and sun damage. Until I used this I didn't believe that it was possible to make up-and-coming breakouts disappear overnight- but this stuff literally does. You can use it in a smaller amount all over your face (I do this ever morning) or just smear a thicker layer over a spot and pain will disappear and it shrinks down real quick!! It also works well with retin-a/stieva- reduced my peeling. Just don't put them on at the same time as they do not work in a synergistic manner- use one in the morning and one at night. For reference: Schulte BC, Wu W, Rosen T. Azelaic acid: evidence-based update on mechanism of action and clinical application. J Drugs Dermatology. 2015;14(9):694-698. (find on pubmed) In saying all this, acne is usually a result of internal imbalances and will never be 100% cured by topical treatments- check your diet for foods that may be promoting internal inflammation and overgrowth of unwanted bacteria and parasites or creating pH imbalances. Eat your 2 & 5 and do some research. I haven't had a breakout in months (as long as I stick to a plant based diet high in healthy fats and veggies) and my face legit glows.
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March 1, 2017
What percentage of azelaic acid would be equivalent to BP 2.5%? Is it ok to use with Clyndamicin gel 1%?
November 17, 2016
Tea tree oil for acne is no good
I am not sure why this is the only Exposed product that is reviewed - I have tried them all with mixed results. I am also shocked to see any positive reviews of this product. IMHO it is the least effective product of the entire line. I experienced 'ok' results with the cleanser - it didn't leave my skin feeling like it had a layer on it, like some other cleansers do. The tonic was useless (I had zero results and my skin felt dry every time I used it) - so I held out great hope for this specific product after reading reviews. I started using it and I swear it made my skin worse. I broke out like never before with cysts that were large, inflamed, red, painful. It was AWFUL. I did some research on the ingredients and found out that the tea tree oil clogs can clog pores like crazy, which is what has happened to me, causing even more breakouts. Not sure why an anti acne company would purposely add a clog poring ingredient to their product. I know some products are trendy for marketing, so maybe thats why. I don't have to buy it now that I know better though. My only real improvement in the last 10 years has come recently when I started using the Ninja brand. I did some research and they really try and avoid those clogging oils which my skin must be extra sensitive to. 6 months in and the results compared to when I did Exposed for 3 years are stunning. I have clear skin' finally. Again, I can't really understand why everyone thinks Exposed is so great - my skin was NEVER clear with it but I stayed with it because it was the only thing I knew. I guess I just thought I was a hopeless case and stuck with acne forever. Thank god I was wrong.
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August 5, 2016
try the store brand generic!
my skin actually responds very well to proactive. I used it pretty much exclusively through my teenage years and it kept my skin in good condition and pretty much clear. I do not have inflammatory acne, I have lots of blackheads and pesky bumps. suffering from acne as an adult, I wanted to try this again but was hesitant about the price tag. acne free is comparable and also gave me decent results. better yet, the store brand at walmart was only 11 bucks and gave me similar results! I definitely recommend at least trying the store brand. I found proactive to be far less harsh on my skin than the acne.org regimen, though it did clear my skin up as well but left it painfully dry.
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May 6, 2016
Fake
Fake and useless .. waste of money Do yourself a favour, suffer for 2-3 months but take roaccutaine tablets .. saved me and removed all my acne even on my neck and back! If your young or have any forms of depression etc please read all reviews and news about this medicinal drug
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April 27, 2016
Product used: The Regimen
Thanks god!!!!!!!
I don't even know where to start but all I can say is thank god for this product. It literally saved my life. I've had mild consistent acne since age 15. (22 now) Acne was destroying my life. My social life was non existent because I was so embarrassed to show my face around my friends or even be photographed. I tried every single product OTC known to man up until I was 20. I'm a male and I began getting so insecure and empty inside from my appearance I started to wear make up just to hide a few blemishes here and there. I started to get very suicidal. Never looking in mirrors and hated myself for what my face was becoming. Everyone was making comments on my skin. Making fun of me. Asking if I was wearing makeup. When I was 20 I decided to go start accutane. This cleared my acne completely and I was 100% clear and blemish free!!!!!!....... For only 2 months after my course ended. Then my face was covered once again. The side affects I experienced with accutane were so bad I couldn't push myself into doing another course. I don't know how it took me so long to find this website and this regimen but I stumbled across acne.org product reviews and couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was toooo good to be true. I mean. I ever tried accutane and it didn't work so how could this. Finally I said f**k it and bought the starter for acne.org. My first 3 weeks were miserable. Dry red flaky. My eyes looked inflamed from the irritation. PUSH THROUGH IT!!!!!!!! I'm now on week 9 and my skin is doing amazing. It took a little over a month to show results but consistentsy is defiantly key! Don't give up!!!!!!! I could cry I'm so happy on how my skin looks right now. It has never looked better and every week that passes it improves more and more. I have a pimple here and there still but it pops and heals very quickly. This product is a god sent and I strongly encourage anyone who has hit rock bottom to try this!!!!! It is worth every single penny!!!!! This product saved my life.. Now that I'm clear I'm Right now I'm working on getting rid of my hypserpigmentation marks from old acne. Unfortunately the AHA+ from dans line which helps fade dark marks even faster didn't cooperate with my skin. Waited 6 weeks before adding it in and my skin freaked out and broke out like crazy. Once I stopped using it and just stuck with the basic regimen my skin went back to normal. Not for everyone I guess buy yeah. Just wanted to encourage everyone who is suffering from acne to try this product and don't give up! Stay consistent! This is it!!!
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August 11, 2016
Do you have breakouts when youre on the regimen? I have 3 now,and I have just finished week one. And all of the breakouts have heads. Is it normal?
January 31, 2016
it is ok
I used a different products but it wasnt really working so I tried going back to clean and clear and this product really did clear my skin slowly
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December 16, 2015
Standard go to if it's the first time you've had acne
I remember this is like the first product I bought when I started having acne a long time ago. Mostly because that's what you can find on store shelves. It didn't do wonders, but I know people who swear by it, their acne was usually caused just by a lack of face routine and this fixed it by introducing one. Price is reasonable for quantity, smell is pretty ok. Might not be a good idea to use it if your skin is sensitive and it's probably not going to work on cystic acne, but worth a try.
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September 11, 2015
Professional thieves
My Aunt warned me about proactive but I didn't listen. I ordered the advanced oily kit for 29.95 + free shipping. Only to realize after checkout they had charged me an extra 5.00 for shipping. Funny right? When I checked my bank account they had charged my card 38.34. They better give my money back. Ayaka!
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September 2, 2015
Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide, That's their main ingredient!! You can buy a %10 Benzoyl tube at Target for 5 bucks and save ur money and the hassle of dealing with a scamming company. Or break out the big gun with antibiotics or accutane, you can get it from ur dermatologist. It's very effective!!
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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.