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, 2009

Pros:

Cleared my face, stopped breakouts, and inexpensive.

Cons:

The only bad think i could think about is the mild smell of benzol peroxide.

Worked wonders for me. Even better than the prescriptions my doctor gave me.
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December 26, 2009

Pros:

i had used this in the past over summer and liked it a lot....i never used the pills consistently but really liked the cream.... it worked well at drying up existing pimples and stopped new ones from forming!!!

Cons:

drying.... but skin will slowly get used to it and lotion helps a lot!!!

i used this product in the past and have recently started using it again due to breakouts.... so far I have seen some improvement and am hoping to see more in the future!!!
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December 15, 2009

Pros:

Works amazingly. Its clears up acne just use it on a regular basis.

Cons:

Dries out your face if you use it more than 2 times a day.

This is an amazing product. AS long as you use it right it should work for you. You break out when you first start to use it but that eventually goes away. Its just cleaning out your pores and working with your skin. IT is an amazing product and I would stronly recommened this.
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December 7, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my spots

Cons:

dried out skin

This cleared up my spots really well. I've tried hundreds of creams before, from off the shelf remedies to specialist products from dermatologists costing over £100. This is the only thing that has worked for me so far and it's made a dramatic difference to my skin. The only side effect is that it makes my skin really dry. I used the 10% cream at first and this burnt my face and I came out in a horrible rash. I now use the 5% cream, at first for 2/3 days a week until I got used to it. I'm now using it every day (only once a day though) alongside Garnier Hydralock cream to combat the dryness and this seems to be working. I think it's worth the initial dry skin to clear up the acne as dry skin is so easy to treat. I've now been using Quinoderm for 4 weeks and the difference in my skin is amazing. My skin is really sensitive but I've managed to control the side effects so i'd definitely recommend it.
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November 28, 2009

Pros:

-burns the acne away

Cons:

-dries up skin until it pills

i actually got it from my sisters friend who was struggling with acne and she said it works as of right now i love it i have always had bad acne but everything doesnt work for everyone but this worked for me
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November 24, 2009

Pros:

It gets the job done in as little as 3 days! You see results immediately. Don't waste your money paying monthly for Pro-Activ. Oxy is dermatologist recommended, at any drugstore, and is very affordable! This is truely money well spent!

Cons:

Maximum Strength Oxy will dry out your face once you start using it. But your skin adjusts to it after a couple of weeks. A light moisturizer after you wash your face will fix that, no problem!

OXY works! Its the real deal when it comes to fighting acne is as little as a week! Try it, you'll see what I mean!
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November 20, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Liquidy, Bad smell, looks nasty.

Bad, makes skin smell bad and dry, sometimes shiny, and makes pimples worse.
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November 16, 2009

Pros:

It works really fast. It got rid of most of my breakouts in a couple of days.

Cons:

It REALLY dries out your skin. And I have super oily skin.

Its great, but make sure you use a moisturizer afterwards.
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November 3, 2009

Pros:

the packs that you can get, its good to pick which one suits you. and which you can afford. bought mine at a kiosk, good costermer service. smells pretty good, smells like sunscreen to me.

Cons:

takes a while to see results at least a week or two. i get a burning sensation when i use the toner/lotion, and skin turns red and itchy in some paces, (im not allergic tho)

goood product if nothing is working to get rid of your acne its a bit expensive for thos with not alot if money. tip; some people use the lotion (number 3 bottle in the 3 step system) as a mousturizer when its actualy not. in the basic pack it does not come with a mousturizer so i would recomend going up to a pack that does or buy a mouturizer because proactive might and probably will dry out your skin.
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October 20, 2009

Pros:

Cheaper then most acne treatments. Lotion works fine

Cons:

Dries your face out, end up using the month supply before the month is over because of how dry your skin is.

Doesn't work. Would not recommend. The lotion is fine everything doesn't work. Did not clear up my face, all the dryness made me brake out even more.
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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.