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 14, 2010

Pros:

spell effective? N E U T R O G E N A :)

Cons:

Dries your face but worth it

I'm 18 and Asian with light acne problems (mini zits or the like) and I wanted to eliminate them bad! I've read reviews about Proactiv and Murad's Therapy Acne System and I think its not as good as it was advertised (HA! infomercials!). So I looked for something else, I asked a derma doctor (can't afford her professional fees so, I just have to stick to acne therapy sytems) and she recommended Neutrogena products. I came across this one and WOHOO! it works.I followed every direction that's in the box. Though it may dry out your face at first but it can be saved by using Cetaphil Facial Cleanser (use it like for a week then after that get back to Neutrogena). After achieving your desired smoothness (?), use this product every other day, once a day (night time) and pair it up with Cetaphil (day time) and your face will be better than EVERRRR! :) Also, if I were you, Don't forget sunblock and baby powder before you go out. Sunblock protects your face and Baby powder eliminates OIL and prevents dirt from clogging your pores! :) OH BTW, the acne lotion thingy use it on the pimple ONLY and not the whole face~!
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August 7, 2010

Pros:

This product is amazing. I have acne pretty bad and for the short time I have been using it I find that it has helped a lot. I have tried almost every acne facewash, drugs, and chemical peels. Customer service is wonderful.

Cons:

I don't have any cons.

Try it.
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August 6, 2010

Pros:

Worked for the first two weeks

Cons:

bottles break
doesnt last a month
doesnt stop break outs

MaxClarity worked for the first two weeks my face was pretty much acne free but then i broke out again even places ive never broken out before. Now im not seeing any results at all.
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August 6, 2010

Pros:

-Clears about 80% of acne
-Doesn't hurt my skin at all (i don't have that sensitive of skin)
-Smells okay

Cons:

-Didn't work for me as good as they say it does
-Dries out my cheeks a bit
-A bit pricey

It doesn't clear every pimple, but it's definitely the best acne treatment I've tried. I used it for like 6 months, then switched to Neutrogena Complete Acne System for a bit because it was cheaper and i read good reviews on it. Within a few weeks my breakouts were worse then they had ever been. I switched back to Proactiv and my skin went back to normal in a few weeks. Definitely a good product! :)
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August 5, 2010

Pros:

worked for a good amount of time

Cons:

it all came back

meh it worked good for my bro def not for me. try it thought its cheap. ya know worth a try
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July 29, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up white heads, major zits, eats off dirt, oil, and makeup

Cons:

Can bleach fabrics if you're not careful, drys out skin without minimal use of a lotion, doesn't do much for blackheads

I LOVE this product. It cleared up my skin beautifully, after fighting with acne since i was twelve. I've tried proactiv, and prescription cleansers and treatments like benzaclin but nothing has worked as well as this. My skin is all but flawless these days when it's paired with the lotion and spot treatment. I do still have the occasional breakout but it's not NEARLY as intense as what it used to be. If you don't use a lotion with it, it can be very drying (but with 10% bp, how can it not be?) I highly recommend it. It's cheap, it's effective, and has given me a lot more confidence. Good luck to all!
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July 19, 2010

Pros:

None

Cons:

My face started clearing up for about a week, and then got much worse than it had been before, resulting in really painful cystic acne instead of the whiteheads I used to have.

I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone. It really doesn't work and is rather expensive. Trying to cancel was a huge hassle, as I had to deal with an offshore call center that insisted I just needed to try the sensitive skin version of the product. It took 30 minutes on the phone to cancel my account.
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July 18, 2010

Pros:

works

Cons:

sometimes runs out before you get more...just need to learn how much to apply

first off, I think its funny when people that have only been using products for a few days or even a few weeks think their review should recieve some weight. Acne starts much below the skin, and can take a month to reach the surface, if not longer sometimes. Thats why it is always recommended to use a product 8-10 weeks before drawing any conclusions. Anyways, I am 21. Ive had moderate acne for 6 or 7 years. Ive tried many things, and nothing really helped besides retin a. I finally tried maxclarity. Ive been using it for nearly 3 months. It is the only thing that has given me clear skin since I tried retin a when I was 18. I took 2 months to work. I still get the occasional breakout, but I have not been this clear on such a consistent basis for YEARS.. Im glad I finally found an OTC product that works and doesnt give you terrible side effects or an bad IB like retin a causes in some people. I love this product. ITs gentel on the skin too.
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July 8, 2010

Pros:

-makes me face feel very clean and fresh,
-makes my skin soft
-starting seeing results quickly.

Cons:

-the cleanser is really scratchy and makes my skin a little irratated.
-burns a little at first
-smell is OK..
-makes my skin feel tight. but not a bad kinda of tight.

ok so far im in lovee with this stuff. right away just looking at my skin it looks brighter and has a glow to it.and only after 24 hours alot of my white heads have dissappeared. and my skin just looks clean. the step one cleanser is a little scratchy..almost like a sand paper consistency..but i guess my face will get used to it over time. so far im really liking it and im using it with my dermitologist perscribed differin. it may not work for some people..but for me..BP is what does the trick on my face.
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July 8, 2010

Pros:

none, well my acne didnt get worse i guess

Cons:

nothing happened

FAIL!!!!! another to add to my list my acne didnt get better or worse what a waste, im back to square one,,,,,,, AGAIN
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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.