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 12, 2012

Pros:

Cleared up my face a little bit. Not much tho.

Cons:

I have been using it for well over a year, every day, 2 times a day. My face has been the same.

I'm hispanic and Irish. I know Hispanic people are more prone to skin problems.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 6, 2012
Product used: The Regimen

Pros:

Effective for preventing moderate acne (I don't know about severe acne...).
A good amount of treatment for the price.
Even my old acne scars seem to be lighter.

Cons:

Doesn't absorb very quickly, takes some time (especially the moisturizer).
Suggested amount to use of the treatment is one large tube a month - I think you could do less (I'm using the same bottle from 6 months ago).

Good product that has worked for my moderate acne, hasn't made my skin perfect yet, but very significant progress... and much better than Proactive.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 4, 2012

Pros:

eventually clears it up
took less time than some products i used

Cons:

makes skin dry and flaky
dries and feels like u can move or make facial expressions

all skin types are different, so it might not work for some people. i also used dove soap and oil free acne wash from neutrogena, this product and the face wash contains benzoyl peroxide, which dries and irritates the skin and can also cause redness. my face had pimples and redness all around my nose and other places too, it was bad, i felt ugly and didnt want to leave my house until i used these three things (dove, the face wash and this product) it cleared in a week.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 28, 2012

Pros:

-removes whiteheads
-makes BIG whiteheads smaller
-gone overnight

Cons:

-dries out your skin (not badly only if you don;t use a moisturer)
-skin CAN get addicted if used everyday

this is a great product but I HIGHLY recommend you only use this every other day as your skin can get addicted to this product. PLEASE use a mouisturer after using this product if you don't already do. other than that it is an AMAZING product!
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 27, 2012

Pros:

Works.
Does not dry my skin.
No flakyness.
Makes my skin smooth.
Improves acne.

Cons:

Very time consuming.

At first I was skeptical to try this product but when I read everyone's success rate, I just had to try it for myself. I have light acne but once a month I would break out to moderate acne. When I received my order I was afraid that it would make my skin very dry and flaky. I'm almost done with my first week and I am very happy to say that it did not leave me dry or flaky at all! I was very impressed and at the same time shocked because mostly everyone who reviewed this product had symptoms of drying and flaking. I followed Dan's regime 100%. I made sure to let my face dry before applying the treatment and I made sure to apply moisturizer after the bp had dried. I haven't tried Dan's cleanser or moisturizer. I have been using Purpose Bar soap and Purpose moisturizer and it has been amazing for me! Everyone should try this product! It is worth every penny.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 26, 2012

Pros:

Works for a while
Makes face feel clean

Cons:

Irritates skin really bad
Itchy
Make skin sensitive to the sun and dry
Makes you have more acne

This is the worst product ever. Proactiv really ruin my skin. I mean my skin was not perfect before but proactiv made it really bad. I had like 3 huge pimples. Then I started using proactiv maybe a week. My skin felt clean but It was getting worse. My face was red itchy and the worst part of all I had 10 pimples on each side of my cheeks. Never in my life I had to wear so much make-up like I do now to cover my face. I went to 3 pimples to 20 pimples on my face.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 25, 2012

Pros:

-works fast
-clears acne fast
-clears scars on one day
-You will love it in one day!

Cons:

-works better in some places than others

I have been using this for one day and I already see a difference! My acne scars are already gone! The redness is still there but my pimples are already smaller!
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 23, 2012

Pros:

Makes face soft, less oily, and keeps ance down abit.

Cons:

Doesn't really work like it says it does in the commercials. Doesn't get the head out of all the bumps, just the small ones.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone with bad ance and very sensitive skin. It only got to the small bumps on my face, kept it soft, and sort of clear. It didn't do what I thought it would do in about 5 weeks like, get to all my deep black heads and make my face super clear, lol.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 10, 2012

Pros:

-Saw results fast
-Made skin really soft
-Makes for a quick face wash routine

Cons:

-I put some moisturizer on my neck and it made it really red and itchy
-Red face after use but goes away fast
-I did nit use it one morning and I broke out pretty bad

I got great results and it is still working it's way to giving me clear skin. I like it and it is a fast face wash routine with pretty quick results, just be careful and be consistent with it!
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 9, 2012

Pros:

Clears acne
gentle
absorbs easily

Cons:

bleaches towels and clothing - true of all bp

I've been using this for 6 months. After 33 years of trying everything else with minimal result or good result with bad side effects, I can say this is the best. I think it's not just the product, but also how you're instructed to use it that makes it the best.
This Was Helpful

5 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.