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
July 14, 2010
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
Cons:
dried it out and dulled my skin, i have NEVER looked so dull and grey!
My skin immediately improved once I finally trusted my gut instinct and stopped using proactiv. Never will I buy it again.
July 12, 2010
Product used: AcneFree (24 Hour Acne Clearing System)
Pros:
Keeps skin clean and clear, benzoyl peroxide is effective at reducing redness of zits
Cons:
Redness if you use too much of each product or leave the cleanser or toner on too long.
I use this product a particular way. Since many complained of the cleanser causing redness and irritation, I wet my face, rub the cleanser quickly on, then wash it off immediately so that it cleans all the oil off but doesn't redden my skin. I don't use the toner because the one time I used it, it made my skin very red (and it contains alcohol as a main ingredient). Then I use the benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment. Spreading it over a large area does nothing for my skin except irritate it.
I find that this product works really well this way. Granted, my acne was under control when I first started using it but it keeps new breakouts from forming and gives my skin time to heal. I definitely recommend it for people with light to moderate acne.
June 26, 2010
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
-helps dry out my mild to moderate acne relatively fast
-easy to apply
-can be worn under make up
Cons:
-makes you more susceptible to sunburn (always wear at least SPF 30!)
-can dry out skin if overused
-can get expensive
-doesn't treat certain kinds of acne
I think Proactiv works for certain kinds of acne. While it does work well for preventing acne altogether (given you use it religiously every day and night, even if you don't have acne at the moment) and on whiteheads/papules, I've found it won't treat more severe forms of acne. I've suffered from cystic acne in the past, and Proactiv did nothing, and in some instances, made my cystic acne even worse. The only thing that really helped effectively combat my cystic acne has been getting on an antibiotic (Doxycycline). However, if I feel a small zit forming or I spot whiteheads or pauples around my chin or nose, all I do is apply a little bit of the correcting lotion (BP 2.5%) and the pimples will dry up in about a weeks time at the longest. The BP treatment and the facial wash are all you really need, though the wash (also BP 2.5%) can be a bit harsh and should be used every other day. Until then, substitute your facial wash with a less harsh salicylic acid cream cleanser (that's what I did. I used Neutrogena's redness calming acne wash, it's afforadable
and effective). Overall, Proactiv has worked for me, but everyone's skin is different. Make sure you know what works for you and what kind of acne you're prone to getting before you shell out all your money on Proactiv.
June 24, 2010
Pros:
Works good..
Cons:
Extremely small bottle I mean they shrunk the stupid thing over the years... and it's just a waste of money
Just buy Dans bp way cheaper and you get seriously 12 ounces more for the same price. Proactiv bp is no different from Dans bp it's all just bp.......
June 9, 2010
Pros:
My skin feels better already.
I used pro activ- this stuff works way better.
I have only been using it a few days but I can already see and feel a difference.
Cons:
The second step is pretty sticky but I believe that is the best step...just use some lotion after is dries and it feels awesome!
This stuff seems to work and for the price you can't beat it. Think about it you would have to pay way more with pro activ plus you have to get it off line.....just download the five dollar off coupon from the website and take it into a drug store....walmart seems to be seeing it the cheapest. Best of luck
May 20, 2010
Product used: AcneFree (24 Hour Acne Clearing System)
Pros:
No new breakouts while using
Retinol makes skin look very healthy
Helps with redness and scars
Doesn't dry out face/skin is soft
Cons:
Some pimples not gone but barely visible
Sometimes face is not clean enough (oily)
I don't know why so many people say it dries out their face! My dad had this one day when I came home and I was cynical because what I was using (neutragena oil free cleanser, recommend!) was really good in that it cleaned my face but my skin was moisturized. However the toner/spot treatment was very ineffective. I have pretty oily skin, but when I use drying products it's dry with oil as well, not fun! This product has made my face look WAY better, never dried it out, but im used to washing my face whenever I can, but now that I'm only washing twice a day my face feels oily midday. I just use some oil absorbing sheets and maybe a little hand sanitizer to get rid of excess oil without washing my face all over. My face hasn't looked this good since I was 5 lol, recommend to oily skin or difficult acne/scars. If your skin is dry or pretty clear don't try the SEVERE kit you have other options but AcneFree is my all-time favorite! 2nd favorite was Clean n Clear system, tried Proativ but these two beat it.
May 10, 2010
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
XXX
Cons:
Burned My Skin
Bleached everything
SCAM
The product burned my skin, I tried to stick with it, my my face got to irritated that I broke out in bumps. Two weeks after canceling, I recieved my first not intoductory but three month supply. After calling they confirmed that I had canceled but not in time to stop the first shipment. Really, it takes over a week to stop you from shipping an item, in this digital age, I think I got scammed. I sent it back but lost the shiping and handling they charged me to ship it to me and I had to pay to ship it back. This experience was a total waste of time and money!
May 3, 2010
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
face become more smooth, clean
Cons:
a bit expensive
1st and 2nd days a lot of brreakout through out whole face.. painful..
3rd and 4th days still have new breakout but old ance was start subset
5th and 6th days face start clear and lesser breakout but face still shown redness
7th face become bright and clear , leave some old zit
8th days no new breakout at this moment.
March 15, 2010
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
refining mask works
Cons:
over-priced, smells like kindergarten craft paste, does not work
Ive used proactiv for years.. I used to have horrible acne in middle school where my face would rash and proactive got rid of the rashes for the most part. But I still have moderate acne and im in my first year of college. I have breakouts every other week, once one breakout heals. If i had before and after pictures, there would be no significant difference. I finally decided to switch to exposed acne treatment considering that it got many good reviews. I will definately comment on how that works, if it does! Overall, I do not recommend buying proactive. Look up other product reviews such as Exposed Acne Treatment before wasting your money. =]
March 6, 2010
Pros:
I was using the whole proactiv system, which made my skin clearer but really dry and irritated. After I ran out of the cleanser I bought a more gentle one, but kept using the toner and repairing lotion. THAT cleared up my skin completely. I think the cleanser was just too abrasive. You can find just the lotion on ebay or amazon, which brings down the cost considerably.
Cons:
Order online, can be drying and irritating for some people.
Everyone's skin is different, but this is definitely worth a try because of the bezoyl peroxide. For some reason it's really hard to find good bp products, even though it's supposed to be better for people with red, swollen acne, so despite the cons I will stick with this.
Pros:
It seemed to work for a week....