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
August 1, 2011

Pros:

Soft skin
No acne
Cheap
Fast

Cons:

Doesn't help scars

I've tried proactive, clinique, st. Ives, neutrogena, stridex, clearasil, natures cure, and clean and clear but nothing worked at all. I've used the severe version of acne free for less than a week and every bit of acne is gone. My skin feels amazing.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 31, 2011

Pros:

It worked very fast.

Cons:

Dried out my skin.
Would make me break out immediately if I missed a wash.
The customer service is absolutely TERRIBLE.

I recently started breaking out around my chin. I'm 24 and have NEVER had problems with my skin before (besides being pale and having dry skin) so I thought I'd try this out. It cleared my breakouts about 2 days after I initially tried it, so I kept using it. At one point, it'd been about a month since I had a breakout so I stopped (because it was drying out my skin badly and like I said, I have very MINIMAL breakouts). I immediately broke out the next day! Anyway, a few months later I called customer service because my next shipment was due to arrive and I clicked the wrong button before getting to change my order. So I IMMEDIATELY call them. The first girl acts completely uninterested and says there's nothing she can do because it was already being shipped and I'll just have to mail it back when I get it. I ORDERED 5 MINUTES BEFORE I CALLED! I was extremely upset so I hung up on her. I call back 10 minutes later to CANCEL my order. This girl convinces me she can fix my order since it hadn't been over 30 minutes since I had ordered and that it will be shipped with the right products I wanted (1 large bottle of cleanser, cream, and body wash and 2 large bottles of toner). Well 2 days ago the shipment came in...$110 worth of products I didn't want!! They sent me 1 large AND 1 small bottle of cleanser, 1 large bottle of toner, 1 large and 1 small bottle of cream, and 2 large bottles of the body wash. I called them and cancelled immediately and said I wanted to ship what items I DIDN'T order back, and I was told that wasn't allowed I would have to send back the entire package and pay for the shipping costs. After explaining all the hell I'd been through already, I then told the man I wanted to cancel and he had the nerve to ask "Why?"...REALLY?! I wish I had read these reviews before I got involved with them. I've had entirely too many problems in just a couple month period to ever go back!
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 20, 2011

Pros:

worked at first, cleared quickly

Cons:

stings a little, stopped working after a while

when i first used this product i used it 2-3 times a day, and it worked great. but after a while it was almost was like my skin got used to the product and it stopped working
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 12, 2011

Pros:

Controls acne
Nice packaging
Smells nice
Trust the brand and intredients
Doesn't break me out

Cons:

The exfoliating clarifying lotion stings somewhat
The moisturiser isn't moisturising
The additional spot gel stings a LOT
Very expensive - over £50
Didn't clear my acne

I bought the 3-Step System plus the supplementary spot gel. I used this religiously for 5 weeks. Whilst my spots were under control, I was still dealing with around 6-8 active spots. *Foaming Cleanser* This stuff is great, it smells lovely, it is gentle, the ingredients are good. I will try the bar next time purely because I hear it lasts longer and therefore better value *Clarifying Lotion* This isn't lotion, it feels like an alcoholic toner and the Clinique counter lady described it as a gentle exfoliant. She was right, after using this with a cotton pad I always see a layer of dry skin coming off. It is more gentle than an exfoliant wash which are harsh and tearing on my skin. It does sting a little, especially on active spots. *Moisturiser* You need to use a lot of this for any moisturising effect at all. It is so drying, I couldn't smile! I won't buy this again, I replaced this with Cetaphil in my regimen. .... *Spot Gel* I used this after the clarifying lotion before the moisturiser and sometimes during the day. It stings A LOT. I didn't find it any more effective than Clean and Clear or Freederm spot treatment, apart from it is far dearer. To conclude, I do like Clinique as a brand. I will be buying the clarifying lotion and the soap bar when I run out. I asked the counter lady for a tester amount but she claimed not to have any, which has forced me into a very expensive trial and error situation! I am going to try to return the moisturiser.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 23, 2011

Pros:

Works quickly
Amount of product can last you for months!

Cons:

Toner smells like alcohol
Leaves skin a little dry
Burns @ first..

I started using this product about 3-4 days ago and I can already see it working. The lady at the counter said it will leave your face a bit dry but also said it's fine to put a moisturizer over it. I also purchased the spot healing gel and it gives you a great amount for the price of it. It doesn't work on already formed and huge pimples which sucks but it does work when you feel one coming. It gets rid of it right away. Also bought the acne solutions foundation which was a bit pricey but it works great and really helps prevent pimples. Gonna start switching my makeup to Clinique now! Love it!
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 10, 2011

Pros:

Not hard to wash off.
No bad smell.

Cons:

Didn't help.
Bad for sensitive skin.

This product dried out my skin, and it didn't help my acne at all, nor did it make it worse. It just stabilized it I guess. It's not worth really trying it.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 28, 2011

Pros:

it works wonderfully!

Cons:

it takes awhile.

This product is good for moderately like to mild acne.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 19, 2011

Pros:

dries up pimples
within one use, all my blackheads were gone

Cons:

smells gross
doesn't really make you feel clean
weird texture
if used on places that don't have a lot of acne, it can dry them up and cause irritation
made me sunburned when I went out in the sun

I used this cleanser for a whole year before switching to another one and never had much problems with my acne, once I switched I got so much more acne, and then I bought another cleanser and still got more acne until I finally switched back to this one and it's toning back down again. Even though this cleanser is kind of gross it works sooo well on a lot of acne, but can really irritate and dry up skin that doesn't have a lot of acne on it. I now only use this on my nose which has the most acne and then use a Biore scrub for the rest of my face which leaves it very soft but made my acne worse on my nose.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 4, 2011

Pros:

None

Cons:

Medicinal Smell
Very Drying, even when following exact regimen
Stings the Eyes

This may work for some people, but I found the product extremely harsh. Also it stung my eyes and caused them to go cloudy for an hour after application. I don't suggest if you have sensitive skin.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 3, 2011

Pros:

Does not burn
No smell
Locks in moisture

Cons:

The same bottle decreases in effectiveness after about 12 months. Need to reorder as BP does dissociate in solution and become less effective over time.

WORKS GREAT! Only product that has ever worked so effectively for me, and so quickly. Very affordable as well!
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report

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.