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
July 25, 2017
The only thing to get rid of my acne permanently.
This review is somewhat strange, as I've used this regimen before, but it may help those of you who are on the regimen or are about to start the regimen. This is an '˜update of an update' if you will. Backstory: All through high school, I had cystic acne. It was mostly hormonal but I would still get breakouts throughout the month as well as clogged pores. My acne made me feel completely insecure because it would form under the skin and would take 2-3 weeks to go down - and then a scar would follow which would last for what seemed like forever. After using just about every topical treatment (never tried internal treatments), I started using the acne.org regimen. The regimen COMPLETELY cleared up my acne for about a year and a half. I didn't get one breakout during this time. I had a rough couple first months with dry skin, flakiness, and redness, but after about the 4 month mark, I had clear skin. Keep in mind that I only used the acne.org cleanser and the benzoyl peroxide. I trashed the jojoba oil and moisturizer and opted for Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream instead since it was more hydrating (I mixed this 50/50 with acne.org AHA at night). About a year and a half ago, I started esthetician school and would only use the regimen on and off since I was receiving so many facials/peels. I slowly started breaking out again, and about a year ago, my cystic acne came back. I was still using the regimen during this time. BUT I had incorporated a lot of different products: cleansing oils, toners, etc. I kicked them all out of my routine and started using just the cleanser, BP, AHA, and moisturizer again, but was still breaking out. After a YEAR AND A HALF OF BREAKING OUT, I realized that I was only using a pea sized amount of BP for my entire face when Dan Kern (acne.org owner) recommends TWO FULL PUMPS. I was NOT listening to directions like I had when I first started, and was using too little BP. Keep in mind, I had never used two full pumps of BP, even when I had originally used it. I had used a thick fingertips amount of BP and it had kept me clear. About a four months ago, I started using the thick fingertip's amount again. 5 days in, my skin was peeling, red, and dry; just like I had started the regimen all over again. On the acne.org website, Dan says the more BP the better - which I completely agree with. Do I think you need two FULL pumps? No. But find the medium that makes you & and your skin happy and build it up. I, again, see the complete reduction of acne on my skin. Although it's still a bit dry, I can tolerate it for clear skin. My skin is going through the exact same phases that it did when I was in high school and the active breakouts I had on my face have significantly decreased. I'm going to try to keep using the full fingertip's amount until my skin adjusts to it - then, I will continually build up my skin's sensitivity to BP. Note that I'm also using the same routine: Morning, I cleanse, use a generous amount of BP, and moisturize with Cetaphil. Night, I cleanse, use a generous amount of BP, and moisturize with 50/50 Cetaphil and AHA. If you are starting the regimen, this may help you determine why you're still breaking out or why BP stopped working for you. Dan says that after your skin is acne-free, taper down to however much works for you. HOWEVER, he also says that MOST people require a generous amount of BP to stay clear, so if you are truly acne-prone, keep using as much as you regularly use to keep you clear.
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January 20, 2018
Have any interests in reviewing Pore/Blackhead vacuum remover?
July 22, 2017
Product used: The Regimen
Only Product That Has Worked
Out of the thousands of treatments for acne that I have tried first-hand, only Acne.org has resulted in lasting results where my skin has been clear. I went through steroid shots, chemical peels, thousands of face-washes and more, and none of them have worked. I normally do not write product reviews, but this was so effective that I was forced into action. A huge thank you to acne.org.
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July 9, 2017
Not good
Honestly this stuff made no difference, and maybe even made my acne problem worse. Absolutely will not buy again
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June 21, 2017
Best product I've ever used
22 y/o male, struggled with acne for 10 years, tried tons of other products and regimens (Tazorac, antibiotics, BPO 6-10% cleansers, Proactiv, Caveman/water-only methods, no shave, etc.). Nothing worked like this -- it is consistent, convenient, easy to use, and non-irritating. Consistency has been the best part -- I have not had to deal with the ups-and-downs of feeling relatively clear one day and then breaking out bad a few days later. Before starting this product, I struggled with random acne on my forehead, sometimes on the corners of my upper lips and around my cheekbones and jawline, and problem areas on the sides of my chin. I would say that my acne over the past year was moderate -- large, painful ones were not uncommon, though I never had any areas that were consistently covered with spots. Since the start of using this product 4 weeks ago, I have had 2 distinct breakouts that lasted a few days and seemed like old problem areas finally clearing up. Since then, nothing major at all. When I do get a zit, it has been just a single one, with minimal inflammation, that is easy to pop gently and then dries and clears quickly. I use Acne.org's 2.5% BPO once daily after cleansing with soap in the shower and allowing my face to air dry (no towel). Occasionally, if I have an early AM shower and an evening shower, I do use the treatment twice. I always use just a dab -- more than a pea-sized amount, but not much more. When the BPO has dried, I lightly moisturize. My cleanser is Dove's Sensitive Skin Bar soap; my moisturizer is Olay Complete SPF-15. I shave with Dorco twin-blade razors (very cheap online, non-irritating, close shave). I use Aveeno Therapeutic Shave gel, which smells nice and feels rich and natural. I do not use any products in my hair -- no shampoo, no gel or wax. I started using this product about 3 and a half weeks before my college graduation, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I woke up on graduation morning, looked in the mirror, and was greeted by clear skin that made me smile at myself like a doofus. One of the biggest challenges in my life that has felt so out of my control for so many years is finally just a minor thing for me. I couldn't be happier.
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July 2, 2017
Thank you for your thorough review. So happy for you. I am hoping this can work as well for me
July 17, 2017
Hi, great review! How is it going now? How is your skin? I want to start using BP but im very scared that my skin will dry out, permanently.
January 20, 2018
Have any interests in reviewing Pore/Blackhead vacuum remover?
June 8, 2017
POISON! DO! NOT! USE!
On Sunday I used Rodan and Fields "Unblemish" for the first time. Immediately after my skin began to itch, turn red, and burn. I spoke with my consultant and she said that's normal, your face needs to purge. So I followed the directions and applied it again two days later. At this point my face felt like sand paper but I wanted to give it another try. I immediately regretted it. My skin burned as if someone had thrown boiling water mixed with poison on my face. It began to bubble and blister and swell. By Tuesday night my face literally hot to the touch. Wrinkly like an old woman (I'm 28). And itches beyond belief! I can't sleep or smile due to pain and itching. I looked up pictures of burn victims, and it's exactly what my skin looks like right now. My consultant told me to keep going, that it needs to do this to get better. Um, no thank you. This is awful. So I started hydrating last night with lotion, and it can't stay on my skin because it's eating it up so fast. I woke up today completely swollen on my entire face, my eyes look like slits. My consultant offered to swap it out with a different product but I do not trust this brand. It is literally poison. Everyone at work is looking at me like they either feel so sorry for me, or have asked if I had a chemical peel. One woman kindly asked if I was okay, and then asked if their was anything she needs to know, like if I was safe at home..... I told her what happened and she said she thought someone had thrown boiling water on me. All that to say, do not use anything from Rodan and Fields. It's poison. Review about: Rodan And Fields Unblemish Beauty Set.
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August 15, 2017
You are allergic to it.
October 30, 2017
ALLERGIC
January 1, 2018
Definitely pushers making the above comments... not an allergic reaction - simply the awful product. See my review on the next page... soph_istication@[link removed] very similar story except mine got worse and I’m still suffering with the scars. POISON.
April 5, 2018
You may be allergic to the aloe Vera ingredient. This same thing happened to my sister and it was the aloe. Not the product itself.
May 25, 2017
Don't rely on just product. Worth a read ⬇️
I am 15 and I have stubborn acne. Please don't rely just on products, I am trying a lot of new methods such as keeping my phone screen clean (my worst acne is where my phone goes when taking phone calls) I am also trying to drink a certain amount of water every hour. I recommend using a rotary of products for example i am using the clearasil hydrablast gel wash and this cream. I have stubborn acne and the bacteria in my pore adapts quickly and the wash then doesn't affect it. If you feel like your wash is starting to not work switch to another product. Repeat this and rotate between them. I have to rotate every 5 days or so if I leave it for a week it's too late. Hope this helped. Any questions reply to this.
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April 4, 2017
TOO POWERFUL
This product was way to powerful on my skin, it left my skin red, swollen, and irritated, when I put it on as a moisturizer overnight I expected to wake up with smoother skin, less redness, and at least some improvement, instead I woke up to a burning sensation around my cheeks and eyes and a face so swollen I could barely open my eyes it was horrible wouldn't recommend it if you have sensitive skin.
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November 26, 2018

If you still get on here, did your face ever clear up from the red and puffiness?  I just used this and got a ugly red spot uner my eye and extremely dry face now.  I am not happy

November 10, 2016
Didnt rlly do anything
So Ive been using this for a few months now and It just hasnt done much for me it helped my acne like the first week and after that it just stopped working lmao.
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November 3, 2016
So far, so good!
First night of wearing, woken up with cyst-like spots dramatically reduced in size, all the others look and feel a lot calmer, as well as no new breakouts. Like I say, so far - so good! Can't wait to continue seeing the results of this product.
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October 24, 2016
My review of bp
I think benzoyl peroxide is a great solution to get rid of existicing breakouts. However, I believe that in order to fix the main problem of acne, deeper things have to be considered like diet, environvement and lifestyle.
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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.