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
May 23, 2010

Pros:

Only think that clears my acne

Cons:

Can leave skin flakey
Causes my skin to be ultra oily

I've been using this for around 5 years now and it has cleared my skin no doubt. Every year or so I try to wean myself off, only to break out something sinister!! I'm back on it again after a really nasty break out, and initially getting used to it is the worst part. I suggest starting out with a very small amount, nowhere near what Dan uses in his videos. And ALWAYS ALWAYS wait for it to fully dry before moisturising. That really is key to this being effective. I noticed that my skin was really oily on this, so now I only use it at night. I stopped using it altogether and my face was nowhere near as greasy, but then I broke out. So now I'm just using it once a day. It does work, you just have to figure out the dosage that works for you, and make sure you're using it right, with lots of moisturiser.
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May 23, 2010

Pros:

it gets rid of acne REALLY FAST. and it even took care of most of my hyper pigmentation, which tends to stick around with other acne medications.

Cons:

it drys out my face to an extreme amount. major peeling occurs, and i constantly have to wet my face, or use a moisturizer, which makes my face turn red.

it does the job with in a few days. and despite the cons, its worth it. i've read other reviews and it says my skin will adapt to the dryness...we'll see. i recomend a good moisturizer, which takes care of dryness, and makes almost all peeling look like its not there, but brings redness back.
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May 22, 2010

Pros:

I have had acne since I was a preteen. It started with pimples and has become unbearable breakouts every now and then. This was the only product that worked for me for three years of smooth skin and now that's it's gone my acne is back!

Cons:

Unfortunately it has been discontinued even though it has worked wonders for so many people. I cried when I realized last month that I was using up my last box.

It was the best product I've ever tried...hopefully it's just a big joke and it will be back someday.
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May 10, 2010

Pros:

reduces pimples fast
cheaper
reduces redness
JUST GREAT

Cons:

None really. irritates your skin a little bit but that is fixable.

This is absolutely GREAT!!!!! A must buy for all you people that suffer from acne. It irritates a little bit but just use face lotion and you'll be just fine. I've used PRO active , clear skin and many more and none have helped me as much as Neutogena. a lot cheaper to. Worked great for me hope it works great for you.
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April 28, 2010

Pros:

makes you skin a bit smooth

Cons:

this crap is pretty much terrible. it made me break out really really bad. so bad that i didnt want to go anywhere for a month. its suppose to make your acne worse before it gets better but who knew it would get this worse.

if u want to use this be prepared to go thru a dramatic breakout before you want it to get better. and theres no garantee when it will. could take a couple of months for some or could take a few weeks for some. depends on your skin type.
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April 27, 2010

Pros:

Worked for a little while.
Expensive.

Cons:

Dried out and irritated my skin!

I had read so many reviews saying that Proactiv is one of those things that works, then after a while, it is no longer affective. But I still wanted to try it out for myself. So I did. It worked for about a month. Really, the only thing that i think worked was the cleanser. If it is possible to buy the cleanser separately, do that.
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April 27, 2010

Pros:

This product is pretty good at getting rid of acne and breakouts.

Cleanses deep-down and gives that tingly feeling!

Cons:

10% Benzoyl Peroxide can be very harsh on the skin.

Dried out my skin sorta badly.

This is a GREAT product for clearing acne but maybe its not best to use this every day. I would use this maybe once a week and use a more gentle clearnser the rest of the time. 10% Benzoyl Peroxide can be very harsh! But I was still amazed at how well of a job it did of clearing my zits :)
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March 22, 2010

Pros:

removes oil, helps reduce breakouts, helps prevent breakouts

Cons:

extremely drying, leaves skin tight, strips away too much oil, gives skin shiny, "oily" appearance

If you have moderate to severe acne, this product will help clear you up and prevent new pimples, but your skin will over-compensate for the loss of oil, and can actually leave you looking more "shiny." Best for body acne. Use something less harsh for your face.
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March 20, 2010

Pros:

It clears up acne, it has Benzoyl Peroxide, it doesn't really smell bad, and it's cheap!!

Cons:

DRYness.... It makes your skin really dry.

It works really well! It cleared my acne in less than a month, and I love it! Although I do reccomend moisturizer with it!
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March 18, 2010

Pros:

improved acne after 1 week

Cons:

benzoyl peroxide wash got too strong after 2 months and I started peeling and it would burn after washing my face

it worked but some may need to limit the benzoyl wash to every other day
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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.