Topical Antibacterial
Reviews
3.5
20757 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 5, 2018
Product used: The Regimen
Give a try....
This was an ok product, It cleared my skin, from acne and acne spots. used it over 6 months... I was not breaking out as much, and my dark spots were 80% gone , however, it made my face really dark. My face was way too darker than my neck and rest of my body so it was hard to get the right make up. I stopped using it gradually and started breaking out again but not as much. I do spots treatments for the new breakout. I stopped using it because my face was getting too dark and I wanted to switch to other products to even out my face skin tone. as soon as i switched, i started breaking out again i guess it because acnee.org has made my face fragile not sure though. so right now i am in between acnee.org and the other products. my face is gradually becoming light but i still have breakouts and dark spot. I am 100 % african by the way so meaning i am black. I really wish the product did not make me black but rather just kept my normal skin stone and cleared up all my dark spots. It will be unfair to not recommend it because other people have had a good experience with it. i had my part of good experience with it but just that I made my face too dark and I did not like it.
August 21, 2018
Product used: The Regimen
Helped some
I used the product for 3 months. It did help clear dark spots that I had previously from acne bumps. Although it did not help tame my acne. I would wake up the next day to 1-2 new pimples. Also I found out that I have closed comedone, which are tiny small bumps I get all over my cheeks. I thought these products would help but unfortunately it didn't.
August 4, 2018
unsure about the product
when i started using clearogen i got the one month three step system with the sulfur cream. At this time i was desperate for a quick fix as i was suffering from a major hormonal breakout. In the past i had suffered with mild to moderate acne vulgaris and had managed to treat it with over the counter creams and antibiotics. This breakout would not budge and got to the point that i had around 5 cysts on each cheek and several small pimples surrounding the cysts. I finished the 30 day trial and my skin was a lot better. I had around 10 small pimples on my face but for me that was the best my skin had looked in months and i was thrilled. My dermatologist them perscribed me with the benyzol peroxide cream and in the space of four days i had super irritated red cheeks with two cysts on one cheek and several dozen tiny bumps all over. It has been around a month since that initial breakout and my skin is relatively clear on one cheek but the other cheek still has a good 10 big pimples. I spoke to my dermatologist about the reaction as i received a chemical peel a week ago and she told me to start using the benyzol cream again. I am so nervous to try the product again as my acne has affected my mental health hugely. Does anyone have any advice for me?
July 28, 2018
Coo
Very interesting product
July 24, 2018
It's alright
It helped get rid of a few pimples, but other than that it was irritating and not very effective.
June 3, 2018
First time user
I just received a sample kit of Rodan Fields Unblemish free. I'm going to try it for 30 days to see if it works for me. I have severe acne and tried everything on the market, now this. After 30 days I will let you know if it worked for me.
May 14, 2018
Strong
Not for blackheads
May 8, 2018
Could work for you
Here's the thing about R&F... it works for some and not for others. I've watched 2 of my friends go from severe acne to completely clear. However, when I tried it myself, nothing happened. I think one sign on whether or not comes up pretty early- if you get massive black heads it's not for you. I'm on my second round right now because I had hoped it would work and both times I started a new dose I got a TON of blackheads. This didn't happen to any of my friends, however I've seen it on a lot of the 1 star reviews... Honestly I've seen it be a miracle worker so if you're desperate I'd try it.
April 19, 2018
Good (But Not Enough)
And I mean the title of my review* I am 22 now. But I've started getting acne all over my face since I was barely 13 and it's the most worse kind of acne there is. For years, I've been relying unto over-the-counter medications. Nada results. Just recently, my boyfriend from Cali brought 3 tubes of Neutrogena On-The-Spot treatment cream. I started applying it since four months ago. I could say it helps lessen the redness and minimize breakouts though it stings and it burns. But it doesn't stop them from coming back. It just kills them off for a short while. I need something that totally kills the acne like seriously kills it and prevents it from developing again. This product doesn't do just that. Yeah. So cliché.
April 10, 2018
Maintains, BUT...
Skin type: Sensitive and Oily. Disclaimer: I only used the acne.org BP. I used the normal to dry skin Cetaphil cleanser, and kept trying different moisturizer to combat the dryness the BP left me with afterwards. Let's get straight to the point: It maintained my skin's clarity, hence the 3 stars. I still had the occasional chin pimple around my period, but other than that; clear. This all came at a price. I followed the acne.org regimen of gently applying a thick layer of the BP on the skin and letting it dry for about 20-30 minutes. While I waited for it to dry, my eyes would burn and water, my skin was extremely irritated, itchy, and it stung. After it dried, I found that a normal moisturizer would not do. It would be hard to spread around my face, it seemed like it would skip over my skin and I would have to use more force in applying the moisturizer (which i really didn't want to do). I never found the perfect moisturizer to use after the BP. I found that I wasn't producing any oil during the day, which was very different for me, and it was nice not having to worry about how shiny I was all the time, but then I found that I also looked like a lackluster zombie. Also, my neck started becoming extremely dry, itchy, irritated, and flaky. I later found this was because when I would apply my moisturizer to my face, I would drag the remaining product to my neck and I'm guessing the BP would also get transferred, irritating the delicate neck skin. User error I suppose. But for me, having to literally sit still for 30 minutes in pain, with my eyes closed to avoid the burning and stinging, and not being able to use a regular moisturizer afterwards to combat the dryness was not worth it. With my skin if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. I stopped using it and my acne and oil have returned. I use it as a spot treatment for active pimples in combination with Clindamyacin lotion now, and I know if i'm in a pinch it can be relied on. I know that some people will do anything to improve their acne condition, and have different skin situations, and that's why I still wanted to give it 3 stars. I say give it a shot.

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.