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
October 19, 2012

Pros:

pretty amazing!

Cons:

NONE!

Ok so I am still nervous because I have only been on it for a few months so I don't want to jinx it. All you acne sufferers know what I mean. However, I switched from proactiv to this and it has been amazing. Not one zit since I started this!!!!! I am so angry that I wasted thousands on proactiv!! Now, I will say I have felt that I have felt like I was starting to get a zit, but the AcneFree kills it before it even comes close to visible!! If you are desperate and have not tried it yet...pleeaasse try it!!! I know the hopeless feeling...trust me! I have suffered with ance as long as I can remember. If this stuff keeps up it is a MIRACLE!!!!
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October 18, 2012

Pros:

CLEARS MY SKIN WITHIN A WEEK!

Cons:

NONE

I have had moderate acne on and off throughout my life but nothing too terrible....UNTIL now.. I am almost 25 and my skin tunred into a complete mess. No matter what I did it would not clear up! I tried everything.. even the super expensive stuff. I had no idea what to do.. so I started eading reviews online for Acne Free.. thought.. why not? I bought it and literally within a few days.. the huge zits that were deep under my skin were almost gone! After a week my acne is 99% gone. I am so thankful and I would absolutely recommend this product to anyone! I have heard that it dries some people's skin, it did not for me but if thats the case.. mix the repair lotion with a oil free moisterizer and you will be good to go! LOVE IT!
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October 1, 2012

Pros:

Easy to apply
Odorless, colorless, no one knows it's there
WORKS! It gets my skin about 70% clean

Cons:

Stains towels/sheets/etc.

I"ll use this until the day I die. It gets my skin about 70% of the way clear and it is a prominent part of my skin care regimen. I use it in the morning after Azelaic acid and use Retin-A at night. It's made all the difference in the world!
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September 28, 2012
Product used: The Regimen

Pros:

- extremely effective
- fast results
- WORKS!! :-D
- more effective for me than prescription acne medications and competitor ProActiv Formula

Cons:

- itchy
- initially very drying
- initially flaking skin
- can feel like wearing a mask when so much product is left to soak into the skin and not washed off for many hours (can feel similar to wearing full-face heavy greasy makeup)

In short: BUY IT! TRY IT! IT WORKS! My backstory: I have suffered with moderate to moderately-severe acne - hundreds of whiteheads/papules/pustules, blackheads, milia, and some deep large hard raised nodules and cysts for the past 10 years. Doctors prescribed me medications for my acne, such as Akamin (minocyline) which resulted in all of my already-okay-pores becoming finer and if I went to squeeze bumps instead of hard lumps or puss coming out... clear watery liquid was all that was in there now. The medication also stopped me getting blackheads &rarely got those big hard painful cysts, but my skin still continued to be very bumpy all over and rough-to-the-touch all over my chest and back and face and all the whiteheads/papules/pustules continued to come. Aside from medication, I of course also tried just about EVERY over the counter cream, gel, mask, and powder (sulfur). I tried all the usuals... Neutrogena, Clearasil, Clean&Clear, etc etc etc. Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% 4% 6% 10%. Products with Salicylic Acid. Nothing made a really big difference consistently. I have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on trying different products for my skin. I tried ProActiv Formula. It severely aggrivated my skin. Dry, tight, extremely itchy, red and angry-looking AND THE PIMPLES NO IMPROVEMENTS. It was all-cons and ZERO positives. I tried using less product. I tried using it less frequently. But nothing made it work for my skin. I was painfully disappointed. I randomly stumbled on an acne.org clip on youtube &tried 'The Regime' procedure at home with the products I already own. For step 2 I mixed my 4% BP 50/50 with moisturizer to reduce the BP strength, followed by Step 3. I saw immediate improvement within 2 days & its come better&better over last 3 weeks. My skin is 99% clear! I'm so thrilled Dan's method works I just bought ALL of Dan's products in the biggest sizes which incl post cost me $157.92 to Australia. I'm s
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September 16, 2012

Pros:

-Fast
-Effective
-Did not irritate skin
-Affordable
-no longer needed moisturizer
-easy to purchase

Cons:

-none

I am 15 years old and I have tried everything for my acne. I have tried various over the counter things (Nuetrogena, Clean and Clear, etc) ProActive, and even various prescriptions that include epidou, acanya, and doryx pills. None of these things worked for me. When I found out about AcneFree I figured it would be the same as every other acne thing I had tried however the reviews were pretty good so I gave it a shot. I spent a few days debating whether to get sensitive or regular. I was worried that the regular would dry my skin out and that the sensitive would be to gentle to work. I eventually decided to try the sensitive and I am so glad I did! I ordered it online from CVS and it was fairly cheap (especially compared to ProActive). I used it immediately and loved it after one use. The cleanser is nice and really feels like it is cleaning out my skin. The toner is nice and gentle and leaves my skin feeling smooth. The lotion/spot treatment is also really good. I started out by using it as a spot treatment, then started using it once a day, and then worked my way up to twice a day and it does not irritate my skin at all. I use to have to cake on moisturizer in order to prevent flakiness however I no longer use any. This product cleared up my skin in about a week and has been keeping clear. So glad I decided to try it!
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September 6, 2012

Pros:

10% Benzoyl Peroxide formula

Works quickly to eliminates current acne and prevent new pimple from emerging

Cons:

A little drying, but nothing a good moisturizer can't fix.

This stuff works! I have been battling acne since I was 12 years old (I'm 22) and this is the first thing that has ever worked on my skin! I have tried everything from Neutrogena to Retin-A to birth control to clear my acne and nothing has worked until this product! I had a face full of acne about 5 days ago and now almost all my pimple are gone. I just use a dime sized amount, and massage my face with it for about a minute, then rinse. All I do afterward is follow up with a good moisturizer and that's it! Almost all of my acne is gone...now I just need to do something about the scars ;)
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August 31, 2018
What do you use as a moisturizer? Atm, I'm using Neutrogena's oil-free moisturizer.
September 5, 2012

Pros:

clears 60-80% acne fast
reduces oily skin

Cons:

putting it on in the morning and being exposed to the sun can cause hyperpigmentation which i unfortununtley didnt know until i got it ;/

wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser and use this only at night after you wash your face and you'll be able to control your acne and almost completely clear it within 1-3 weeks
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August 26, 2012

Pros:

doesn't dry out skin
Is easy to apply unlike 10% BP treatments which don't spread on skin as easily
Great value - the 8 oz. tube lasts me about 4 months!
Short adjustment time for new users - only took about a week for my skin to be used to it.

Cons:

not many! after years of struggling with acne, I finally found the perfect solution!
1 con - you can't miss an application, or there will be flare ups. You really have to apply morning and night, carefully.

This is the easiest, most cost effective treatment system I've ever come across. stop going to dermatologists, they are essentially giving you this product at a jacked up price. I've been struggling with acne for years and finally at around 22, I discovered this product. My regimen: I use Neutrogena Salicylic adic face wash every day, morning and night, followed by this acne.org treatment, and usually some moisturizer over top. That's it! And my skin is clear and beautiful. You can't miss a day, though, the treatment really acts as a shield for me at least. If I don't apply morning and night, I'll have problems the next day. Oh well, I'm willing to stick to it because I'm so fed up with my problem skin! Can't recomend enough, I've been using for 2 years and will continue for years to come!
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August 21, 2012

Pros:

Lightens acne scars
Clears after first use
Doesnt burn like proactive
Cheap!!
Doesnt smell bad

Cons:

Acne not completley gone, but huge improvement

Im loving this product! Simple to use! Easy to find at Walmart. I used proactive for years. Acnefree has done a better job in a few weeks than proactive has done in years of use. Love It!!!
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August 15, 2012

Pros:

Really kills bacterial that causes acne, saw a difference within 2 day.s

Cons:

Only slightly drying, not too much

I begin with a gentle cleanser to remove make-up, then use this cleanser. The Benzoyl Peroxide makes a huge difference on my skin (unlike salicylic acid which does nothing for me). I have also been using their after care night foam. This regiment has made an amazing difference on my skin.
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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.