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
March 31, 2011

Pros:

The system is gentle, and I like the sulfur mask.

Cons:

It's almost too gentle. I didn't feel like the cleanser cleaned my face very well. When I applied the toner the cotton ball was still pretty dirty. I've used better sulfur masks.

They have a money back guarantee, but it has to be your first bottle/kit, and it's a membership type thing, so it's a pain to cancel or make sure you return it before your next round comes.
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March 30, 2011

Pros:

Fresh face
Reduced redness for a bit
Dried out zits

Cons:

Broke out
Dry, flaky skin
Didn't get rid of red spots after zits

I WOULDN'T recommend this product for anyone with sensitive skin. This may work for people who have skin that can tolerate the ingredients of the Clinique Acne Solutions; however, I have a very sensitive face, and the products made my skin worse than before I started the regimen. My face became very irritated and stressed out from the products and I am currently recovering from the harsh week.
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March 29, 2011

Pros:

Cool packaging
Refining mask works once in awhile

Cons:

Customer service is confusing
Dries out skin around eyes
The smell of it isn't that great
Overpriced

I've been using Proactiv for the past 2 weeks, and the Refining Mask since a year ago. I haven't noticed much difference from the 3- Step System other than the area around my eyes has been majorly drying out. Even the most hydrating creams I own doesn't help. For the Refining Mask, I would say it world for every 10 zits you have. It doesn't work every time you apply it, and at times you have to apply it every night for a week. Another thing, customer service is terrible! The lady didn't even let me have the first month trial, she started me off with the 3 months worth of Proactiv. She also started adding additional products to my order and I had to tell her numerous times that I didn't want the extra products.
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March 29, 2011

Pros:

Clears skin
Goes on very smoothly
Dries clear
Doesn't dry too quickly, so you have time to spread it around

Cons:

Turns white when you sweat/get any water on your face

BEST BP AVAILABLE! It is taking care of my once moderate acne. I am 80% clear after 3 months, it has changed my life and my self-esteem! Trust this product!
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March 23, 2011

Pros:

Cleared acne

Cons:

Drying
Kind of expensive

I took accutane as a teenager, which cleared up my acne (pretty severe acne) completely for years. When I started law school I started getting breakouts again, I think from stress, around age 23. I started using this cream every other night after trying presecriptions from the dermatologist for a year with no improvement. I then increased to every night, and then in the morning and at night everday as my skin got used to the strength and stopped drying out from the use. My acne is now completely cleared, to the point where I don't feel the need to wear make up at all and I get compliments on my skin all the time. Highly recommended!
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March 22, 2011

Pros:

Not a harsh scrub,
Dries zits and pimples super fast,
Makes skin feel amazing,
Easy to do day and night
Many many more!

Cons:

Dries skin out, recomend using the acne gel moisturizer, also a great product!

I used other brands for my acne, mainly scrubs and other products that used fragrances and high percentages of Benzoyl Peroxide. The foam doesn't irritate my skin and most importantly it doesn't hurt if you rub too hard. The 2nd step (the astringent) really cleans your face and you feel how clean it really is, almost a tingly feeling. At first it stung but now my face is used to it. I used to mix products to increase results but now this is all I use! Along with the Dark Spot Remover and the Acne Solutions foundation and powder, my skin is looking the best it has in years! Also, very inexpensive in comparison to Estee Lauder or other brands, so glad I discovered Clinique!
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March 10, 2011

Pros:

You don't need much, it doesn't dry out my combination/sensitive skin, it feels fine under my moisturizer and makeup, no filmy, sticky or tight feeling. After 3 months (I had to force myself to stick with a regimen for once), I'm not kidding, my face is CLEAR. I don't like the moisturizer, I went back to my Clinique "Dramatically Different Moisturizer" but I love the face wash. Great price and an option for no auto-ship that all the other terrible programs out there rope you into!!

Cons:

I would say it took a bit of time to work (like a month) but I'm glad I stuck it out because IT WORKS!!! Now I wish he'd come out with a body spray because my face is now clear and my back is breaking out (I know, gross, but it happens to the best of us).

I have tried everything out there...and I mean, every regimen, new product, etc. I'm really impatient when it comes to products being effective and am usually terrible at using them regularly and for long periods of time, especially if they don't seem to be making any sort of a difference after a couple weeks. I bought the 3 product regimen package and was so miserable with my face at the time (and I had just gotten through LA Fashion Week as a model...having terrible acne in that setting is embarrassing to say the least) that I followed the directions exactly as instructed and kept doing so until it actually became routine. First I noticed that the moisturizer didn't do it for me, even with a couple drop of the Jojoba oil. It didn't feel right on my face and didn't moisturize enough and my skin is combo so it isn't extremely dry or anything, just a bit tight after I wash it. I use the face wash, rubbing it lightly on my face for about 10 sec. and then I actually leave it on for a minute and gently rinse it off. Let my skin dry completely and apply a light (you don't need much so the bottle lasts forever) layer of the treatment under my Clinique moisturizer and sunscreen. I can swear that I haven't had one of those terrible lumps for almost 2 months and I've been using it for 3. Blackheads have also cleared. I still get nervous, especially around 'that time of the month', that something will pop up but I think I can safely say my once pretty terrible acne is almost COMPLETELY GONE!!! It's worth a try. Also if you have acne scarring try Clinique's "Even Better Dark Spot Corrector"...it does wonders on those red spots that won't disappear. I have fair combo/sensitive skin (oily T but got big bumps all over), I now have no acne, less blackheads, less scarring and no flakiness, redness, irritation or dryness. Yay!
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February 28, 2011

Pros:

IT ACTUALLY WORKS!

Prevents pimples from actually coming up, instead of just being a "reactive" treatment once they already appear.

They have other products that caters to sensitive skin and skin that is irritated by using benzoyl peroxide. ie. Green Tea Moisturiser.

Proactiv actually works if you are consistent with your skin care regime and are committed to clearing up your skin.

Do not need to go to extremes such as hormone medication if the Proactiv works for yo

Cons:

Benzoyl Peroxide can be irritating on the skin, so usage needs to be gradual over a few weeks before you can use it every day, but this is for all BP products.

It takes 3-6 weeks to see the best results, because it is a "Proactiv" treatment, not a "Reactive" treatment. It takes 3 weeks for pimples to develop, so anything that would have come up already will still come up in the first month or so.

Proactiv is not a cure, but it doesn't claim that it is. It helps prevent pimples

Proactiv is a great product, but you need to use it properly and consistently. I purchase my Proactiv from a kiosk (not online or on tv) in Australia, and the customer service there is better. My consultant recommended the products that were right for my skin (not just the 1,2,3) and taught me how to use them properly. She also gave me her direct kiosk line if I had any questions or concerns. I have been using this product for three years, and I've probably only had 3 pimples per year in the past two years. I use the cleanser, toner, lotion and green tea moisturiser. Also, they launched the "New" Proactiv in Australia in January 2011 and I have been using it and it feels gentler on my skin. In the catalogue it says that due to "micro crystal technology" the benzoyl peroxide penetrates into the skin faster, without sitting on the surface of the skin which results in irriatation.. therefore, less irritation! $ is in Australian dollars for the full size bottles and the green tea moisturiser (these last me about 1-2 months and usually come with a free product or gift from the kiosk)
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February 20, 2011

Pros:

-Works fast
-Gentle scent

Cons:

-Can leave a white powdery look if over applied.

It's all about your skin type. This will work for some better than others, or may not work at all. I bought it, left, and came back home and I noticed a heavy reduction in the redness of my acne.
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February 7, 2011

Pros:

It clears up acne completely at first
The sulfur mask is pretty good

Cons:

Very irritating to your skin, which dermatologists warn against.
The toner stings very badly, especially if you have a lot of inflamed acne.
The oil-free moisturizer does not work on dry, irritated skin.
As many other people have said, I think most people's skin will develop an immunity to the product. If not, your acne will come back immedietly if you forget to use it (this was the case for my cousin).

This product cleared up most of my acne at first, but it left my skin with ugly discoloration and texture despite this. My skin developed an immunity to the product after two months, so then my skin was not only dry and had a sandpapery texture...but then I had terrible acne again. The toner is awful, it really stung, and the repairing treatment didn't work. It isn't worth the money at all, you may as well invest in a gentle cleanser for less than half the cost of proactive. I think that every product in the kit is just way too harsh for anyone with acne, and will be even worse if you have dry or sensitive skin.
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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.