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
May 5, 2015
Product used: PanOxyl (Benzoyl Peroxide (10%) Bar)
Unexpected Miracle
I had used it all, heard of it all. I was 12 when I started breaking out and had been suffering with moderate acne for years. I used Proactiv only to break out even more. I used birth control pills, various creams recommended by the dermatologist, oral medications, and many face washes. Neutrogena face washes did work for a while, but I always relapsed after a while of using it. I went to the dermatologist a few months ago, excepting the same old diagnosis and treatment. I didn't think much of Panoxyl, thinking it was just like every other soap I had been recommended. After just a week of use, my face was clearing up more than it had ever cleared up using various products at once. Now I am completely clear after years of struggling thanks to one sole product I hadn't thought much of. I am still left with acne scars, but this soap definitely did the trick for the acne itself. GIVE IT A CHANCE!
April 9, 2015
Product used: PanOxyl (Benzoyl Peroxide (10%) Acne Foaming Wash)
Works
This is the only stuff that works for me. I have used it for two years then stop for two years and tried a ton of other cleansers that only made things worse. Then I got back on BP and its literally the only thing that has helped. My acne is not 100% clear but it definitely works. You need to use a daily Moisturizer from day one. And a really good mosterizer for your more dry prone areas. It dries up your skin fast. I get really dry around my mouth and eyes. I use origins drink up intensive, in those area as soon as I notice drying.
April 3, 2015
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
Not worth the time
Proactiv was one of the first acne treatments I tried when I had very, very mild acne. Not only did it not work, but it basically stained every single thing it came into contact with. I was never able to use this stuff daily as it would completely dry out my skin, cause it to become very red and irritated, and just be very painful to apply. It ended up making my acne worse then it was before I started it. While I got rid of the 4-step treatment items, I actually ended up keeping their "Refining Mask" product they sometimes include in the box with the others (or you can purchase it separately) as it was pretty great at treating acne overnight. I'd just take a q-tip and spot treat with the Refining Mask on the break outs and leave it on overnight. In the morning I'd wash it off and the breakout, while not completely gone, would be much more reduced and tolerable than before. With all the acne routes you could take, I'd suggest avoiding this one and trying some other acne treatment sets, natural routes, or prescriptions. Really the only good thing I got from this Proactiv set was the Refining Mask.
March 30, 2015
Product used: Acne.org (Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide - 2.5%))
it really works! follow the regimen
Has cleared up my face completely. It took a solid four weeks for my skin to adjust to the gel twice a day. Now I'm looking forward to adding the AHA.
March 6, 2015
Product used: Oxy (Maximum Action Advanced Face Wash)
Not for sensitive skin
I haven't used this product long but in the time that I have it has only made my acne worse! It has also caused my skin to become more irritated. I wouldn't recommend this product for anybody with sensitive skin.
March 1, 2015
Product used: Paula's Choice (CLEAR Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide))
Impressive results
Note: This review is for a 3-product kit which includes this treatment. No idea why the kit isn't listed on this site! I've had mild to moderate acne since I was a teenager, over 15 years ago. It's been bad enough that while in college I did a round of Accutane, which greatly improved my skin but didn't completely eliminate acne. In the ten years since then, I've had some acne, not enough to undergo a serious treatment again but enough to be annoying and make me self conscious. I have few large zits at this point, but often have a lot of rash-like red bumps, especially on my chin and jawline, and closed comodones on my forehead that are bumpy. I've been using the Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Acne Kit 2x day for a few weeks now, and I've been really surprised by how much my skin has improved: redness down, bumps down, no new zits, skin that feels much, much smoother when I apply stuff to it, and more even skin tone. I've tried lots of things over the years and nothing really worked, including some of the Paula's Choice products used individually, so I am generally very skeptical of skincare product claims. I haven't seen improvement like this since the Accutane. It is drying, so I apply moisturizer more often. (Cleanser, exfoliant, treatment, moisturizer, + more moisturizer ten minutes later.) I also find that my regular moisturizer (not Paula's Choice) stings when I apply it after the BP treatment, and the stinging and a slight pink hue can last for a few minutes. But it's not unbearable, and my skin calms down before long. It feels as if my skin is just more sensitive, since the top layers are being exfoliated off and the pores are open and clean. But I'll take the minor dryness and stinging for better skin, and so far these products have delivered. I'd definitely recommend that someone with a similar kind of acne try it. The kit comes in a trial version that is not expensive, so you can see if it works for you without spending very much.
February 17, 2015
Product used: Rodan + Fields (Unblemish)
Blackheads
My skin feels smoother, however I am now getting blackheads on my cheeks rather than white heads... I don't understand why. I've never gotten blackheads there before. It's almost like its making my pores bigger in order to not trap in oils, but instead dirt & such is just settling in my pores! I wish someone would explain the logic behind this phenomena.
HeatherK81
January 20, 2016
Same here, I got blackheads from the product, never had them before, as did another girl I know. Still got them 4 months into using the products, and my acne worsened again. I will never purchase from Rodan and Fields again!
February 7, 2015
Product used: Acne.org (Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide - 2.5%))
I can't recommend this highly enough
I just wanted to add my voice to the people saying this stuff really works, and you should definitely try it if you haven't already. I've followed the regimen very closely for 8 months now (though I only need to do it once a day), and in that time I've had 99.9% clear skin. This is after 12 years of acne including some very nasty cysts, and three courses of Accutane (which worked while I was on it, but not afterwards). This stuff is way better than anything a dermatologist has ever given me, and I just wish I'd heard about it sooner. The only cons that I've found are it does dry the skin, so a lot of (good) moisturiser is needed (I use Cerave PM), and it will cause bleaching of clothes if you don't thoroughly wash and dry your hands after using it. The regimen also takes up a short amount of time each day. However, all of these things are completely insignificant compared to the benefits. I also suggest you get an AHA in case you do still get an occasional spot. Personally I bought Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Lotion 10% Glycolic AHA Anti-Wrinkle, which absolutely annihilated the 3-5 small spots I have had over the past 8 months.
February 5, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Persa-Gel 10, Maximum Strength)
Good Stuff
I don't have severe acne but in the past couple of months I had been experiencing a flare up with painful pimples on my forehead, chin and other random spots. Picked up the Target brand of this clean and clear persa gel and by day two my skin is already clearing up! My routine: take off my make up with "Simple" cleasning wipes for sensitive skin then use Purpose cleanser with my Clarisonic to wash my face. After that I pat my face dry and put a thin layer of this gel on my T-Zone area then moisturize with Neutrogena oil-free moisturizer for combination skin. I will apply the gel as a spot treatment after that to any pimples on my face. (The next day I woke up with smaller pimples and my skin is A LOT less oily than before I started using.)
In the morning I use Purpose face wash with my clarisonic and this gel lightly over problem areas then apply my moisturizer before make-up. I started using Maybelline's BB cream that has salicylic acid in it and I think that works great - good coverage but feels light. I know everyone's skin is different. Definitely moisturize as this gel will dry you out. I NEVER write reviews but with such great results only on day two, I just had to share! Good luck :)
January 26, 2015
Product used: AcneFree (24 Hour Acne Clearing System)
Miracle worker
I tried so many different products and nothing has helped more than acne free. The repairing lotion does dry out my face so I learned to control that to only using the product every other day and it works. Also, I only apply the repairing lotion on pimples that are extremely embarrassing. I was actually quite shocked when I bought and used proactive and it made my face worse. It looked like I had an allergic reaction to it or something. I love this product and I am happy I found my match. Plus, you can't beat the price.