Acne.org Products
Topical Antibacterial
Efficacy
54%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Benzoyl peroxide clears the skin completely when applied correctly.
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.
Used Benzoyl Peroxide? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
November 25, 2009
Product used: Clinique (Acne Solutions Clear Skin System)
Cons:
Skin gets red immediately after use; moisturizer stains clothing/towels so be careful.
This product does wonders for my skin (but ONLY when used in conjunction with birth control). For some reason, only being on birth control or only using the product do not help (yes, I've tried doing both for at least 3 months each). Using the pill and Clinique together give me the best results.
It's expensive but you definitely get what you pay for. Also be sure to be consistent with use; use all three steps twice a day or else you may get a flare up.
Also, you shouldn't expect drastic improvement with any acne product for at least 8 weeks (which is how long it takes a pimple to form under your skin). I've noticed a lot of people put up product reviews after only using a product a week or a few days. Be realistic; this won't happen overnight.
November 8, 2009
Pros:
first time i used it i saw my skin glow , just bought it two days ago so hoping that this works on my pimples
Cons:
none so far people say its dry but you HAVE to use step 3
i like it
November 4, 2009
Product used: Dr. Sheffield's (Clear Zit Acne Treatment Cream)
Pros:
It worked wonderfully for the first couple of weeks! Cleared almost all of my acne, only a little was still remaining.
Cons:
After my acne cleared up I stopped using it, then a little came back again so I used it again and after a couple of hours it made my face VERY red and itchy. I'm not sure why it didn't do it before and it does it now??
It workes so well. I think it only gives bad effects to people with sinsitve skin, but it still takes the acne away even whith the itching and redness that kind of hurts and is a little embarassing(people keep telling you your face is red and you obviously know it is! )
November 2, 2009
Product used: PanOxyl (Benzoyl Peroxide (10%) Bar)
Pros:
IT WORKS
Cons:
It drys the skin out bad
This product is good. Its strong, be careful if you have sensitive skin but it will dry it out. But it did really help clear my acne up! I have used it a couple times and had to stop because it dried my skin too mad. However, I think it you use a good moisturizer you could be good!
November 2, 2009
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
When it works...it really works! There are times that Pro Activ leaves my skin completely clear and smooth...for a couple of weeks.
Cons:
It doesn't consistently work. Just started using it again about three weeks ago, after taking a couple of months off (because it stopped working). I've seen no change; I've noticed more, larger, pimples.
I've seen Pro Activ work for some and not others. It can't hurt to try it...
November 1, 2009
Product used: Carley's (Clear and Smooth Skin Treatment)
Pros:
Doesn't dry out or irritate skin if used correctly, 5-10x cheaper than the other medications I was using before, easy and quick to use and you do not need to wear some nasty cream or lotion all day.
Cons:
Takes time. At first it made problem worse- but this was because I wasn't using a wash cloth after putting on the treatment and I often missed a day so I tried countering that by putting it on twice the next day. Not good - follow the directions.
If this product doesn't work for you it's because of 1 of 2 things. 1) You're doing it wrong. 2) You have extremely severe acne and you need to get on accutane or another strong acne medication. - Follow the directions EXACTLY. From my experience, heavy use of the soap = drier skin. This can be good or bad. Experiment with different amounts of soap and treatment and always use the wash cloth after putting on the treatment.
After I got the correct amounts down I stopped getting acne almost instantly and within a few weeks I was completely clear! This product, normal or industrial strength should work for almost everyone. Just be sure to be patient, follow the instructions, and be disciplined to do vital things like taking showers after working out, etc and it will work for you.
October 28, 2009
Product used: Neutrogena (On-the-Spot Acne Treatment (Old Formula))
Pros:
None
Cons:
doesn't work
it's been 4 days now and i even use it up to 3 times as recommended and it still doesn't work. i also use the same brand facial scrub and only have small outbreaks on my chin and it still doesn't work. just got a new pimple yesterday.
October 27, 2009
Product used: Benzac AC (Benzoyl Peroxide (10%) Gel)
Pros:
goes on easily, only have to use a little, no odor, works very well, doesn't seem to stain fabrics as easily as other BP preparations, comes in different strengths
Cons:
dries skin out, ridiculously overpriced for what it is in the US (still cheaper than some options), sometimes leaves white streaks on face where it wasn't rubbed in all the way after it dries
This stuff works great. It is very drying, but that's why it works. I was using just the straight up 10%, then I tried adding about 15 drops of tea tree oil to the remaining 2/3 or so of the tube I had left, which made it seem to work even better. I have incredibly oily skin, and I even found it too drying to use every day, so I use it on my entire face every other day, and then use it as a spot treatment every day (sometimes 2x for really nasty ones). It has done a tremendous job with no side-effects (other than dryness and mild light-sensitivity). It is incredibly expensive to buy in the US for what it is (about $40 a bottle without insurance, and still about $15-20 with because it isn't a generic), and doctors tend not to prescribe it over other topicals. So I just buy mine in Mexico for about $7/tube (still made in Galderma's French factory). Pretty awesome stuff.
October 25, 2009
Product used: Clean & Clear (Continuous Control Acne Cleanser)
Pros:
cleared up my acne almost completely
Cons:
made my skin oily due to overdrying
i used this product for a very long time but just recently i've decided to discontinue use. i would wash my face twice a day for about 30seconds. my acne went away almost completely. the problem was that it made my skin very very oily and shiny in my t-zone and made the rest of my skin very dry and flacky. the skin around my eyes would start to peel and look nasty, this was the deal breaker for me considering my eyes are my favorite feature. i switched over to purpose facial cleanser but im afraid its too light to work on my acne, I'm going to try an oxy face wash now. If you buy this product i would recommend start using it slowly considering its a high percentage of benzoyl peroxide.
October 22, 2009
Product used: Clinique (Acne Solutions Clear Skin System)
Pros:
cleared up my skin quickly & has kept it clear. tone is improved, shine is deminished, & the post blemish treatment fades red marks in no time. the spray for body is effective as well.
Cons:
dries out your skin if you use it more than the twice a day recommendation. the foam cleanser doesn't remove stubborn dirt or make up.
I work on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier & even though I'm careful not to touch my face, it accumulates a film of grease & dirt. I do have to use a baby wipe to remove the worst of the dirt, but Clinique Acne Solutions keeps my skin glowing & clear through the longest, dirtiest, deployment.
Pros:
Definitely keeps my acne under control (note: don't expect perfectly clear skin with this product, but all my friends keep commenting on how much nicer my skin is these days!)