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 30, 2010

Pros:

works!

Cons:

personal feeling that it is harsh on the skin.

Skin type: sensitive combination skin I'm 20 years old and have been using this since I was a little over 18. IT HAS CLEARED ME UP! When I returned home from college, I received comments about how much clearer my skin has become! I used the product exactly as Dan instructed. As Dan said, this won't perfect your skin, but will make a big improvement! I am proof! An 8oz bottle lasted me almost a year and a half! (I only used once a day on problem areas though. I found it to be drying on the area between my nose and upper lip, but then again I do have sensitive skin.) You must use with moisturizer or else your skin will be very dry. It does increase sensitivity to sun, but all benzoyl peroxide does that. Use sunscreen! I recently just placed my second order (year and a half later)! The price I paid was for an 8oz bottle and shipping to NY. I strongly recommend this product, but be sure to watch Dan's videos for instructions and recommendations.
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January 20, 2010

Pros:

Sulfar mask can be nice and the lotion really hydrates without getting oily skin

Cons:

EXPENSIVE
i like the stuff but I don't like it used together

I bought Proactiv from my local mall, because I heard about the issues people have with closing the account if they don't like it. Well I like the way it made my skin soft a little more radiant. But it did nothing for my acne after 2 months I said forget it because people also said once you stop using it it makes your skin worse well it didn't work so I said forget it. I stayed on it 2 times a day no difference at all. I do like the lotion the sulfar mask is really nice the toner i only use on my cheeks where the pores can be large and the face wash only where I break out which is my jawline(suffer from adult acne).But I believe adult acne is something inner I dont think my skins the issue
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October 2, 2009

Pros:

Helps to keep acne under control, comes with 3 step kit, uses BP as main ingredient

Cons:

Overpriced small packages, harsh cleanser, and the skin around my mouth got really dry after using it for a week (although I expect this would happen with any BP product)

I've been on Proactiv for a week and some days and it's working pretty well. It's helped to keep my acne under control for the most part. I've gotten 2 tiny pimples that went away within a day or two while using Proactiv. Before I started using it, I had a few under-the-surface pimples on my forehead that took a while to go away too even after using Proactiv. Proactiv is on the right track by using BP--I think ultimately their Repairing Lotion is the best part of the kit. The cleanser is exfoliating and uses BP as well, which makes it esp. harsh. It's not good to exfoliate your skin everyday, so I don't even use the cleanser. The toner is all right, although it seems unnecessary. I don't think it does anything. proactiv is way overpriced though for such small bottles, I think you could get the same result by using regular BP on your face everynight/morning.
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March 9, 2017
nope
I wish there was an option for 0 stars becuase this product deserves it. Proactiv is a scam for your money. I personally have combination oily skin but more towards the oily side. Within the first 2/3 days my skin was so dry I had to stop using it but i tried again and kept with it for about 3 months. I cannot emphasize how much this product doesnt work its drying and it burns and it does not clear acne I would recommend only to my worse enemies.
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August 10, 2014
Want to make your face worse?
I bought the product and all it did was make my face way worse, over dried it made it itchy and red. Then trying to send it back is hell, their customer service is the worst ive ever seen, hate the product, its a rip off then they dont tell you theyre going to send another package of a 3 month supply and charge you 130 more dollars.. dont buy it there are way better products out there for your face, save yourself lol
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June 18, 2011

Pros:

acne improved slightly

Cons:

deceptive company
made skin hurt
drying

This is just benzoyl peroxide with a lot of celebrity endorsement. It's also a huge scam. I called to order the $19.95 special they promote all the time. Turns out, it was actually $19.95 (x3months which they automatically billed) and then you're signed up for a subscription service where they continue to send you new kits and bill you until you call and cancel. I only used the stuff for a couple weeks and decided it was junk. I should have sent it back, but i figured it was only twenty bucks and not worth the time and money to ship. Little did I know it was not only twenty bucks, and it was only when I called after getting a surprise second shipment that I found this out. The woman on the phone who I ordered the kit from did not make any of this clear. It's designed to be confusing so that people don't realize what they're signing up for. I feel like an idiot for falling for it.
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May 19, 2011

Pros:

I don't like it at all, but if you buy it atleast you can say you tried it.

Cons:

Itchy
Expensive
Doesn't work, thousands of other BP products out there, cheaper and better.

I used this for over a year and anyways it turns out I'm allergic to BP hah! But anyways you pay 20 dollars a month for this stuff and by the third month you're stuck with like all the bottles of the lotion, and you're always out of the face wash and toner. It was a real bummer that it didn't work for me but that was a while ago and now I'm on anti biotics.
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May 14, 2011

Pros:

The sulphur mask

Cons:

Everything Else

Within two days of initial use my face got much worst. At first I thought it would get worst before it got better. NO WAY!!! I eventually stopped. I only got sucked into the scam because my sister used it (to no avail) and they advertise SOOOOO Much on tv.It's not worth it...at all. You start paying $20 but they keep billing about $40 every month or three months. I never had a problem with customer service though.
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February 15, 2011

Pros:

Fabulous product

Cons:

none

Some of the "finest products" I have ever used.
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November 17, 2010

Pros:

I hope the owners of this site will allow me the opportunity to respond to an accusation by a reviewer that we make up fake reviews on this site. Since this site carries a .org suffix it seems only fair that they allow me to speak.

Cons:

We have never ever placed a bogus review on this site. or any site. or suggested anyone else do so. I respect this site and the work they do too much to do so. I believe(I'm not sure) this is the first time we even have made any contact with acne.org

I will admit, we do recommend to our regular customers when theyreorder(especially after a kind comment) to post reviews here. Usually after they have been buying for more than a year. But we don't tell them what to write or offer them any incentive. or even follow up. If you read our positive comments here you will see they are all written in a different voice. It would be hard to fake that. It is a well accepted fact that Acne is caused by a certain bacteria. (Propionibacterium Acnes) and how ones body deals with it. No acne product can cause acne. Although some people build up a dependency on certain products. Taking those products away can cause acne to return in those people. Usually temporarily after starting our product. I do though understand the frustration of people we can't help. I wish so bad we could help them. As we say in our listings this product does not help everyone. Nothing does. It's why we have the guarantee we have. Our return rate is very low. There are no miracles. Adult acne is common today. We are just doing our best to help the ones we can help. Thank you for reading this. Steve Wills
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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.