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
January 5, 2012

Pros:

Amazing moisturizer
Toner makes your skin feel clean
Fast results

Cons:

Only works for a few months
Skin gets immune to it

Im 21 I've had acne since I was 14. I tried the 3 step system for combination skin wasn't expecting dramatic results but i was pleasantly surprised. It really worked. My skin used to have redness and pimples all over my cheeks and it cleared 80% of it. Theres a big problem though... The effect was only for 4 months after my skin just got used to it and my acne came back. It's worth trying but keep in mind that it will only temporarily control acne
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January 1, 2012

Pros:

Affordable, available at local pharmacies, and its effective.

Cons:

Dries the skin

I have bad acne all along my jaw line. I have tried lots of other benzoyl peroxide products (even prescription) and this products works better than all the others I have tried. This product actually started clearing my skin within the first week. I still have a few spots, but my acne has improved very much with this product. I highly recommend this product if you need something to keep your acne at bay. However, this product is not a cure, you must use it everyday in order to keep your skin clear.
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December 31, 2011

Pros:

Refining mask is a lifesaver

Cons:

Hassle to use
Other products from the line aren't dependable
Terrible for sensitive skin
Makes skin very dry after use
Harsh chemicals
Expensive

When I had this product I was always too lazy to go through all three steps so I mostly only used the refining mask which worked very well overnight. Other than that do not use this product if you have sensitive skin. It will make your acne 20 times worse due to it's harsh ingredients. I only recommend this product to people who have a light to moderate amount of acne and who will most likely only use the refining mask. The chemicals in this product are bad for any kind of skin in general and the entire package is pretty expensive so I recommend saving your money for a more dependable/safer product for your skin and your dollar.
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December 22, 2011

Pros:

Doesn't dry out skin
Made all my acne go away!
Affordable price

Cons:

Smells like a pool.

This was the last product I was going to try before I made an appointment to my dermatologist. I've tried St.Ives, and Neutrogena, both sort of worked, but seriously dried out my skin and didn't really get rid of all my acne. Of course, being a teenager means that you're going to get acne, but that doesn't meant you're NOT going to be embarrassed when one just pops out in the middle of your face. When I first used this I loved it. It made my face feel fresh and I could already feel the smoothness of my skin. Although I don't like the smell of the product, it's a small price to pay for beautiful skin. After OVERNIGHT I already saw a huge improvement on my face, I had a terrible acne spot on my right cheek and the next day it was already almost gone. I was completely shocked and I was incredibly happy. I've only had this product for about a week, but already my skin was clear of acne after 3 days of use. The great thing about this product is that it is also safe to use on your chest and back. :D Overall, I think everyone should buy this item now I'm not embarrassed about my face, and I'll be going back to school in a couple weeks happy and confident.
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December 18, 2011

Pros:

GIVES YOU A SURVEY SO THEY CAN SEND YOU THE PROPER PRUDUCT FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

Cons:

NON

IT WORKS..IVE USED PROACTIV FOR YEARS AND SKIN ID FOR 1 WEEK AND I SEE AND FEEL MORE RESULTS. ANY1 WHO SAYS THIS PRODUCT DOESNT WORK DID NOT FILL OUT THE SURVEY CORRECTLY AND GOT THE WRONG PRODUCTS FOR THEIR SKIN TYPE!!!
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December 18, 2011

Pros:

None

Cons:

My two daughters saw improvement at first, but then acne got worse than before they started! Scarring type of acne. Took them to a Dermatologist that put them on antibiotics as well as gels, and washes. She said she sees this all the time. Plus, it's just expensive Oxy 10 kind of stuff.

Please do not buy this product!
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December 9, 2011

Pros:

- Skin feels clean.
- No irritation.

Cons:

- Results don't show fast.
- May not even work at all.
- More steps than most other products.

Ive tried pro-active two times. Both different ages and both different skin stages in my life. I first tried it when I was 17 when I had severe acne. It did not work at all and after using the entire bottle I did not see one improvement whatsoever. Now, I am 21. My acne is very unpredictable when it comes to breakouts. It has been a very bumpy road, and right now is one of the more difficult times. I decided to try pro-active again. It still does not work at all even after going through the entire process for 45 days. I am very disappointed and now am on doctor prescribed antibiotics and topical products. Note: When I was 17 I payed the original TV price. But the second time a few boxes were given to me for free by another unsatisfied customer.
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December 2, 2011

Pros:

Lotion-like texture
Easy to use

Cons:

doesn't work on big stuff

I've been looking through the other reviews and they mostly say that it works immediately and clears up acne. I'm in middle school so it's really hard for me to go to school every day with acne this bad. I get it alot around my mouth and chin. acne sucks.....i used this oxy stuff for a couple days, and it's been clearing up little scars and small pimples, but then there's the large zits that I can't get rid of. The pads sting a little but I guess that means they are working so I continue to use this product. GREAT TEXTURE
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December 1, 2011

Pros:

Cleared my acne
Doesn't leave my skin dry usually
Doesn't cause redness
Doesn't smell anything
Need to apply alot

Cons:

Sometimes leaves me with a bit of dryness
Can leave white residue
Took about a week to start clearing (purging)
Expensive need to buy it from australia
Occasionnal breakout

This is the only product that has cleared me wothout leaving my skin extremely dry !!! Caused me to purge for about a week, but after that my acne was 99% gone. Still get occasionnal breakouts, but isn't comparable to what I used to get ! Give it a trying almost every over the counter and prescription cream, this one is the only one that has worked for me !!! Please give it a try, this product saved my life !
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November 27, 2011

Pros:

- got rid of my terrible acne
- inexpensive (when ordering from website)
- lasts a long time
- able to wear under make up

Cons:

- left some red marks/scars
- very drying

This is an amazing product. Last year, my skin was TERRIBLE. I went from having clear skin to having a forehead covered in pimples. All of my acne was concentrated on my forehead, and believe me, it was a lot. The acne.org treatment literally saved my skin. I have been using it since the end of February and my skin is 99% better. I had to use it for about three weeks to a month before my skin really got clear. I noticed at first that I had stop getting new pimples, but it took a little while for my old pimples to disappear. Over the summer my skin was 100% clear. I did not get a single zit for about 3 or 4 months. Going back to school this year, I still get a pimple here and there because of stress and other feminine problems, but otherwise I am clear. The only cons about this product was that my skin was extremely dry and even after all my acne was gone, I was left with a lot of red marks and some little scars. But these problems could be fixed by using the acne.org AHA+ lotion, which not only helped my red marks fade, but also turned my skin from being dry and peely to normal and moisturized.Nowadays, I only use benzoyl peroxide as spot treatment, but I use the AHA+ lotion every single night and it helps a lot with the overall texture of my skin and keeping acne from forming again. I use/used this product with a Clean and Clear face wash (the yellow one for sensitive skin) and the Olay moisturizer that is recommended by this website.
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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.