Acne.org Products
Topical Antibacterial
Efficacy
54%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Benzoyl peroxide clears the skin completely when applied correctly.
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.
Used Benzoyl Peroxide? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
May 13, 2016
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
RUINED MY SKIN
I never really had very bad pimples but was still so self conscious of them. I had a few spots on my forehead and a couple would pop up on my chin from time to time but nothing really major. My mum knew how self conscious i was about them and saw on tv the proactiv ad and ordered me the 1 month tester pack to see how i liked it. After a month of using proactiv it slightly decreased the number of pimples i had but was making my skin SUPER dry and flaky and it was a little bit red at the start. I decided it wasn't worth it and a couple months later my skin started popping up with a lot more pimples than usual. My face was more oily than i had ever seen it. My routine hadn't changed, i was back to my usual face wash and kept up the same routine of exercise and diet which aside from, like, one chocolate bar every few months was healthy. 6 months later my skin had gotten even worse so i decided to give proactive another go, noting that it did slightly decrease the number of pimples i had whilst using it. I used it for nine months and once again, it didn't clear all of my pimples and my skin was so disgustingly dry it didn't matter how much moisturiser i used, it wouldn't go away. so i made the decision to stop using proactive completely and hey ho, 3 months later my skin is the worst it's ever been. Again, my exercise and diet were the same as aways but THERE WERE PIMPLES EVERYWHERE! i had never had a spot anywhere other than my forehead and my chin but suddenly they were popping up EVERYWHERE on my face. both cheeks were covered in pimples, the bottom of my chin outlining my face, my nose, my temples MY EYEBROWS?! it was ridiculous. i really regretted ever getting proactiv and am warning everyone who doesn't suffer from severe acne to STAY AWAY! ITS NOT WORTH RUINING YOUR SKING FOR A COUPLE OF PIMPLES IN YOUR YOUTH!!
December 30, 2015
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
DON'T BUY PROACTIV!
HORRIBLE COMPANY!! I used to use the regular proactiv that worked fine. As a young adult, I wanted to try using it again. But they changed their formula (to the new proactiv +), which DOES NOT WORK! I was mad it wasn't working like their old system. But whatever, I only ordered the 30 day product. Right? WRONG! They will keep charging you these sneaky automatic payments. When I saw a payment pop up on my credit card bill, I was pissed. So I called, saying I wanted to cancel my account. The guy kept saying "why, what else can I offer you..?" blah bah blah, but I was firm - NO. CANCEL MY ACCOUNT. So he said sure, he did it. Well well well. Today, I check my credit card bill? $36.45 from proactiv. I am furious. Had to cancel my credit card just to get them off my f**king case. DO NOT BUY PROACTIV!! Their customer service is horrible, and the product does NOT WORK! They just use celebrities to lure you in, but trust me, it is NOT worth it!
August 22, 2015
Product used: Proactiv Solution (X Out)
Do not recommend!!!!
I got X out a couple days ago and thought it would help with my acne. My acne has never been terrible but I tend to have acne on my forehead and my chin. Before I bought X out I should've read reviews online but I just trusted the commercials and got it hoping it would work. After I used it the first time it actually felt like it was working and my skin looked good the next day. After I started using it everyday my skin got noticeably worse and after the fourth day my skin was completely broken out!!! This product is terrible and I absolutely hate it. Now my acne is so much worse than it's ever been! I am so angry. PLEASE DO NOT BUY X OUT IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!
March 3, 2011
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
Cons:
Irritated skin; blemishes worsened
Ordered in November and after reading many reviews on item I called to cancel account. I was told that my account was canceled but I continued to receive bills and shipment. Made several more calls and thought the problem was solved but not true. I was told that I had a second account (appeared by magic I guess) and when I asked to have that canceled and my credit card credited back for all the charges I was told that it would happen. This is March and I'm still receiving shipments and being charged. This is a real scam; once you're in it takes hours and hours of phone conversations and e-mails but I'm still getting charged. Avoid at all costs; the company is shady and they don't understand canceling accounts.
January 10, 2011
Product used: Carley's (Clear and Smooth Skin Treatment)
Pros:
Leaves skin feeling very smooth. I feel that the texture of my skin has improved and that my pores seem tighter. It is keeping my facial acne to a minimum. I am using it on the backs of my arms and thighs to minimize all the tiny bumps and it is working exceptionally well for that.
Cons:
Time consuming when doing arms and legs as well as face. Worth it in my opinion.
I have tried other products, both over the counter and Proactive. I feel this is working as well or better than the Proactive and is much more cost efficient. More product for the price. I would not hesitate to recommend this product to any one and in fact have just reordered for myself and got some for my daughter to try.
January 6, 2011
Product used: Carley's (Clear and Smooth Skin Treatment)
Pros:
Skin feels great!
Acne free!
Lasts a long time!
Cons:
None
I have been using Carley's products for 2 years now, and love them! I had moderate adult acne, with random bouts of cystic acne around my chin and jawline. Nothing, and I mean nothing, ever helped me! I started using Carley's, and after just 3 days, was already noticing a difference! I now have clear skin, and have NO more bouts of cystic acne. I love the soap! I use it on my entire body. It is great for shaving your legs! I used to get little, sore, red bumpies after shaving my thighs, but no longer have that problem. My husband uses it to help control his oily skin, and my teenage daughter has begun using the Carley's products for her acne, and has seen a tremendous difference! I give them an A+++! Love them!
December 18, 2010
Product used: Carley's (Clear and Smooth Skin Treatment)
Pros:
affordable, high quality ingredients, generously sized products, works for me, feels nice on skin, improves complection, lot's of great products to choose from.
Cons:
It can be a bit of a hassle using the washcloth and soap, shorter shelf life than most products (buy only what you can use)
I noticed a lot of negative reviews on here, so I thought I'd give my two cents. Like many others, I've used ProActive, Neutrogena, Clean and Clear, Murad, etc. I was using Murad for a while, and it seemed to work great for me up until about a year of use, and then suddenly I was getting cystic nodules every day, about 1 or 2 a day per zone on my face. I changed my diet, and I still had pretty bad acne. I then stopped using Murad, and a lot of my acne ceased, but I had a lot of scarring and about 10 pimples or so on any given day. My skin responded well to aspirin and honey masks, so I thought that maybe a more natural approach was better for my skin. I found Clear and Smooth while I was looking for a night time moisturizer suited for acne skin, and they came up on eBay. The reviews were ravingly good, and I was skeptical to use a cleanser that had benzoyl peroxide in it, considering that in the past it would irritate my my skin and I'd get eczema breakouts (not good looking at all). I bit the bullet, because as the cliche goes "You only have your acne to lose!" The scrub felt fantastic on my face, and I scrubbed gently for 30 seconds or so. No irritation or dryness when I washed it off, and then I proceeded to use the soap with a clean wash cloth to get off any traces of benzoyl peroxide. My face was literally squeaky clean, squeaking when I ran my fingers across it. I then used the night time moisturizer, which also felt very luxurious, and my skin absorbed all of it very well. I was shocked. So it's been about a week, and right now I have mostly scars that are clearing up, and maybe 2 or 3 active pimples. It has been non irritating, and even my mom complimented me on my skin, and she's always been a harsh critic. Will it work for you? I'm not sure, but there's no time limit on their money back guarantee, and their customer service is great. I also stopped using Murad for about a week and kept up with a good diet, which also he
November 8, 2010
Product used: Oxy (Maximum Action Advanced Face Wash)
Pros:
oh my gosh i cant tell you how long i have been looking for something like this. this thing WORKS! i have been on almost allllllllll over the counter products. NONE WORKED. i have even been on accutane and i didnt help me. ( i know it helps alot of people, but i was an oddball) .. i thank god for this thing. it saved my life. it even helps BLACKHEADS!! you know those little bumps UNDER your skin that you KNOW will turn into pimples sooner or later?!?!? ... IT ZAPS IT ALL AWAY! Love this!!!!!!!
Cons:
the only con i can think of is a slight bit of dry skin which can be helped alot by using the Oxy hydrating therapy.
this product is truly amazing. no scent, 10% benzoyl peroxide, no harsh extreme irritation, and bottom line, it Does what it promises, and it didnt need all the celebrities to endorse it or lie about it. it just plain and simple, works. if your reading this and in doubt, just try it. you will love this product.
April 22, 2010
Product used: Clean & Clear (Persa-Gel 10, Maximum Strength)
Pros:
brought my cystic acne to a white head to where it was easy to pop the next day. Completely gone by the 2nd day.
Cons:
none
Okay, I've seen a few reviews saying that it dries your skin out and it's hard to spread an even layer around their face, well try just putting it on the affected areas, not on your whole face. That could be your problem. I only put it on my pimples, and I put a pretty good amount, and in all honesty, that's the whole point of the product "drying lotion" is the nickname, it dries your pimples out, so to say it's a horrible product because it dries your face out, well there's your answer, don't slap it all over your face and think it's a moisturizer, because then you thought wrong! GREAT PRODUCT!!!!
December 5, 2009
Product used: Neutrogena (On-the-Spot Acne Treatment (Old Formula))
Pros:
It works for my moderate acne with consistent use.
Cons:
EXPENSIVE and leaves a white film.
After finding Dan's website about a year or two ago, I began using a modified version of his system. I use eye makeup remover to gently remove *all* my makeup each night before bed then applied the Neutrogena product generously over my face. It leaves a white film but gets the job done and is in an easy to use package (tube sits on the cap so I know I am getting all of the product out). If I skip it for a night or two the blemishes re-appear, so I must use it every night. This is extremely frustrating because I am on a tight budget and this stuff is expensive, but convenient (pick up at the local Wal-Mart). Today for the first time I ordered Dan's version and I will use it for a year or two and then write a review on it. I read some of the reviews people have written and I hope that it works better than the Neutrogena for me as well. I'd rather give my business to this website since it is less expensive for Dan's version.
Pros:
None