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
April 28, 2011

Pros:

10 times better than proactive.
No smell
generous size compared to proactive
$$$$ = perfect

Cons:

None

You need to try this if you used proactive and it worked some what. This will work much better if used correctly. I have been using it for a little over a week and it is so much better than proactive I love it! Thanks dan!
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April 15, 2011

Pros:

- nice scent
- inexpensive, sold practically everywhere
- works REALLY well

Cons:

- VERY dry skin (underneath your eyes and around your mouth)

I have gone through a lot of acne products (Murad, Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, etc..) but this is by far the best product ever!! I have a lot of blackheads and am very oily in my T-zone. You can really feel your skin dry up after you apply the lotion. It feels great at first, and then it turns pretty uncomfortable. My cheeks get too dry, so i use a separate moisturizer/sun block, and it's perfect! I haven't gotten any pimples or blackheads for a few months now!
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April 10, 2011

Pros:

Improve overall apperance of skin
Reduces pores
Generally improves acne

Cons:

drys out skin
doesnt improve blackheads
hard to find
sometimes works slowly at first

Works well, use in combination with twice monthly with Neutrogena "Wave Sonic Power Cleanser". Mix provided lotion with a stronger one before applying to make sure skin doesnt dry out too much. if you have more severe acne, try Neutrogena Seven Day Intervention Kit first to clear up most acne can be found at Target or Nordstrom
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March 24, 2011

Pros:

It works like a charm and is inexpensive!

Cons:

Touch of dry skin :(

I am a dancer so being acne free is so important for a performance. I tried Proactiv but it only helped for a few months. This product is great and helps a ton with acne and its a good price. I recommend this!
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March 22, 2011

Pros:

Love the refining mask and moisturizer cheap price

Cons:

They keep sending more bottles and a bill
Cleared up my acne then got worst.

Proactiv did clear me up then broke me out again. Maybe I didnt use it long enough and consistently. I dont know but it did clear me up then broke me out more. I love the refining mask it feels light and good on your skin and reduces pimple size. Overall I might consider giving this product another chance and use it consistently cause it did help.
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March 22, 2011

Pros:

Seemed to work for the first couple of weeks

Cons:

Dried my skin and made facial lines more noticable.

I used the product consistently per the directions for a few months. My skin was "clearer" at times but was rarely ever clear. Then it just seemed to overdry and age my skin. I tried varying the third step which helped a little with the dryness but not enough, and in the end, I just wasn't getting the breakout prevention results. It's worth a try but is definitely not a cure-all. Note that if you want to cancel your membership, they don't allow you to do it conveniently via email which I tried. You'll have to call to cancel and get the sales pitch before they'll cancel it, and I had to wait 20 minutes on the phone before a rep took my call.
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March 22, 2011

Pros:

Works well

Cons:

Business aspect
Uses trickery to sell the product
Not a simple purchase

*Proactive works effectively, but DO NOT order from Guthy-Renker! Get it from your local mall, or the comparable Equate version from Walmart (significantly cheaper-double the product less than half the cost works almost identically). They do NOT send what they advertise as a $70 value for $20. They send you a travel size amount for $20. If you continue service you get ONE bigger (not by much) bottle kit for THREE payments broken up to $20 a month. It is not worth it. They don't tell you that with the free shipping your order has an additional "process time" of seven days. I was told I would receive the order in 5-7 business days, but when I checked on my order 5 business days later, they told me it had just been shipped two days before then... A week later I call back, and it in fact had not been shipped until the day before then! That was when I was first told about the "processing time". Also, do not add anything to your order no matter how cheap it is, particularly the vitamins. They don't tell you that the products are from a different company altogether until you receive them after you cancelled with Proactive. That company, also run by Guthy-Renker doesn't tell you that they give you one product, and bill you three months for it either, or the total cost of it. They say it costs $29 a month, and allow you to believe they're honest enough to have told you the cost. The other two months your card gets billed because "you never asked" how many months it's going to cost you 29 bucks which is the most shady practice I ever heard of... Getting mad all over again. They should be investigated.
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March 22, 2011

Pros:

Huge bottle, goes on clear, no mess, EFFECTIVE!

Cons:

NONE.

Years ago I was clear after I went to a dermatologist that had me on something very similar to the acne.org regimen. Well, I moved and changed jobs/insurance and couldn't go to that derm anymore. So guess what? My acne came back with a vengeance, and I have not been able to find anything that works - until stumbling across this site. In short, Dan is the man. I've been on absolutely EVERYTHING, including Accutane, and *nothing* has given me these results - and in such a short amount of time,too! I've been dealing with acne for well over 15 years and because of this product I no longer cringe when I look in the mirror. That is sayin' something. In only two weeks, I've gone from a spotty mess to very close to clear. This benzoyl peroxide is even better than the one my dermatologist had me on because THIS one goes on clear, does not smell, make any sort of mess, and has a fairly light consistency. I wear makeup over this with no problem whatsoever. It's perfect! Combined with the AHA, I am finally kicking acne's butt. Don't delay, people - GET THIS. When I think about all the money I wasted on other spot treatments I could cry!
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March 19, 2011

Pros:

works on some mild acne

Cons:

more expensive version of anything found at the drugstore
very drying

If you look at all the ingredients - bp in general - this is the exact same stuff that you find in a lot of the drugstore treatments and lines! They may have been original when they first came out but I have tried this 3 times over the past 15 or so years and it has only ever helped a little bit - as with all the other drugstore stuff. If you have anything more than mild acne you will need to use something more substantial like from a doctor or naturopath or something.
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March 7, 2011

Pros:

Clears acne

Cons:

Bleaches fabric
Dries out and reddens skin

This stuff is pretty amazing. Using it as part of the regimen cleared up my acne. It does irritate the skin, but that gradually goes away somewhat. It still makes my skin a little red even after using it for a few months, but I prefer that over acne. It bleached and ruined a couple of my shirts, but I stopped applying it so low on my neck and don't have that problem any more. I don't need to use as much as recommended in the regimen. Once my acne cleared up I scaled it back some and my face is still clear. That way I don't have to wait so long for it to dry and it irritates my face less. Make sure you do the regimen twice a day and don't skip, though! Every time I skipped even once I'd end up getting a few zits over the ensuing days.
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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.