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:

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December 29, 2013
results then big steps back..

Pros:

initial skin clearing

Cons:

auto enroll
irritation
felt like a lot of steps to keep up on

I have had many friends and family use Proactive.. My brother had severe acne, so we ordered Proactive. At first we saw great results, were so happy.. then big, sore acne would occur and he would quit using it, then try it again.. same cycle.. due to auto enroll and the difficulty we had cancelling it, the stuff piled up. So i tried it.. It was so many steps, it caused more irritation and caused my skin also to launch a full on rebellion.. same cycle for me and I saw the same for my friends.
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December 29, 2013
Proactive

Pros:

The product works
Affordable

Cons:

They do automatically send you more product
It can dry out your skin

I contemplated writing a review for this product for awhile, but seeing how many negative reviews it receives I thought I would defend it a little bit since I have had an overall very positive experience using it. I have never had what would be considered bad acne. I have always been mild, at most, with a few pimples sprouting up occasionally and usually being gone within a few days. I can honestly say that I barely ever washed my face, unless I was taking a shower, and I didn't seem to have many issues with my skin. That was, until I was recommended a top brand foundation from a friend. I had always used drugstore foundation, and thought since I was out of college and into buying higher quality products that I would try out some nicer make up as well. I will not name the brand I used because 1) I am still skeptical that my new acne problem was solely caused by it and 2) I happen to know for fact I have many friends who use it and had none of the problems I had. However, I noticed when I started using this product, that was much thicker than the foundation I was used to, I started having some acne appear on my cheek. At first, it was just a couple of pimples, but that eventually turned into a cluster of some MAJOR pimples that were so deeply rooted into my skin that no matter what I did I could NOT get rid of them. I went into the store where I purchased the product to swap to a new foundation again, thinking this thicker one was just clogging my pores, but I was informed by another employee that I was actually allergic to the product I was using and switching would make it clear up very quickly. After a few weeks of using the new foundation I did not notice any improvement in my acne, and I started to notice some little other ones appearing on my shoulders and face. THIS is the moment that I decided to give Proactive a try. My roommate in college used it and swore by it, and I had seen all the testimonials and celebrity endorsements on tv, but I was still really skeptical that a product that you can order without seeing a dermatologist would really make a big difference. Now that you have my back story, here is my review: 1) Yes, the company does somehow sign you up for automatic shipments. I ordered my first round and was CERTAIN I did not sign up for any reoccurring charge, yet after my first month of using it I came home to a big package of 3 months worth of the stuff. I was confused, and checked my account to make sure I hadn't signed up for this, and sure enough they just do it. I find this annoying, too, and if it weren't for the fact that I had noticed SOME change and that they spread the charges for the three month package out of the three months you are supposed to use it, I would have been irate. 2) The product works well, WHEN you use how it it is instructed to be used. You cannot go willy nilly with this product. I do not believe in all of the little side products it sends, they all seem pretty much the same to be and a bit overboard when you're already using three different things on your face twice a day, but I will say I believe in the 3 step product. The first month I started using Proactive I saw some minimal results because I really wasn't following the system (I'd use step one when I showered, sometimes step two just before bed, and hardly ever step three). The next month I decided I would start being stricter about using it how it was intended, and if it didn't seem to work then I would cancel my order altogether. Here is where I rate this product positively- my cheek acne, that has been sitting there untamable for 2 months, has FINALLY almost fully gone away. HOORAY!!! 3) I guess final note would be this- if you want a product that will work and are dedicated to the process of it, I would recommend Proactive. It DOES work, but you HAVE to use it in the morning, and at night, all 3 steps. I truly believe a lot of the people who write reviews on this product are in the stage I was at month one- not really using it correctly or strictly, and only giving it a short period of time to work. Yes, they will automatically send you a 3 month package of new product. Yes, the product CAN dry out your skin (I would advise to stay away from your eyes with it, since it can kinda irritate those areas when used regularly). But yes, in my opinion, the product does its job.
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December 28, 2013
SCAM! CLOTHES STAINER! DOES NOT WORK!

Cons:

Stains Clothes
Stops working after 2 days
Scammers

Ordered this garbage to get rid of recent acne that I had acquired from a new job that exposed me to dirt and caused me to sweat constantly. Only worked for the first two days, after that it did nothing but stain my clothes. I called customer service and told them to cancel any recurring orders and told them I wanted nothing to do with their product. A month later, a new packet of Proactiv garbage arrives in my mail box and I am billed for the ridiculous amount of $90.00. It turns out that a recurring order of a 3-month supply of the crap was put on my account. After calling and arguing with customer service, they said I could return my package, but I would be paying the S&H costs ($10) and it would take 5-7 weeks to process and get my money back. Really? This is the most unprofessional, scamming, and unethical business I have ever seen. Do not waste your time with these scammers.
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December 27, 2013
Skin Burns Face Leaves Scars afterwards

Pros:

None

Cons:

Leaves Scars Afterwards
Red Spots Black Spots
Irrates Skin

I started Proactive when I was 18 thinking that it would heal the acne that was coming out... I was dead wrong... instead it made me break out even more with a irritation that was unbearable. The lady at the mall kept saying to use it cause you're skin will get use to it "yeah right" after i came back, she told me "ohh proactive is not for you're skin then" waste of money and very expensive too
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December 18, 2013
Product used: The Regimen
it works but super duper dry and flaky

Pros:

it somewhat does get rid of pimples

Cons:

super duper dry
flaky and redness on skin
it burns your face

My sisters and I used this product for a month. I stopped after I notice the dryness. My sister kept on using because she wants to get rid of her pimples. It does works but it is super dry. My sister face becone flaky and red. IIt's like she is having an alergic reaction or it is buring her face reallt badly. I'm feling really bad for her b/c she care about her skin a lot. Now this product make her skin look worst than before. It works but you have to suffer a lot. It is up to you to decide wwhether or not you willing to taake that risk
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December 17, 2013
it's good but bad. MUST READ MINE

Pros:

reduces size over night
makes new pimples disappear
not such a bad price lasts like a month

Cons:

the place I didn't apply it is around my mouth now it's so so dark around it it's embarrassing
irritation,dryness

I got this and it helped with my acne a lot especially the sides of my face and forehead but then the place I didn't apply was around my mouth but now around my mouth is so so dark im so embarrassed infront of my brother sisters cousins parents and at school now I cover around my mouth all thetime. I need help right now im trying to wax around my mouth they say it might work over all beside the blackness it good.
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May 7, 2018
hey bro, i get like moderate acne which is 25-100 small pimples, look i sturrgled with CYSTIC
December 6, 2013
Product used: The Regimen
When you cant use the regimen anymore...

Pros:

works

Cons:

cant use it anymore

I loved the regimen... when I could use it. I used one pump every night for about a year and a half before I developed an allergic reaction to it. My eyes got REALLY swollen and itchy (not the normal redness that occurs at the start of the regimen) I had to stop even though I knew I was going to start breaking out again. That really freaked me out so I started to do some research on alternatives. I've tried a lot of recommended products and some weird cooky homemade remedies as well. My acne is mostly hormonal but what I've found to be most affective should work for any type of breakout. I use Burt's Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile face wash twice a day. I use Aveeno daily moisturizer (using non facial moisturizer scared me at first, but its really about finding what YOUR skin likes) in the morning and wipe my face down with lemon juice (bottled is fine) before bed. When I get a spot break out, I soak it in warm salty water with a cotton swap. I ice it and then I cover it in lemon juice and salt and wait for it to dry. Ive also found aspirin dissolved in witches hazel to be affective for relieving redness. In addition, excersizing really seems to help (which is kind of weird I know haha.) Good luck!!
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November 24, 2013
Ok for mild acne

Pros:

Helps some acne

Cons:

Dries out skin
Does not help acne

So one day while washing my face, I realized that I was running low on my face wash. So that afternoon while I was looking down the aisle wanting to try something soon, I see this. Being so eager to get rid of my mild to moderate acne, I purchase it. Absolutely awful! It dried out my skin and didn't help anything. I mean, it really doesn't surprise me, Clean and Clear is an awful skin care company.
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November 20, 2013
Too harsh

Pros:

Simple steps
Cute design

Cons:

Not for dry skin prone
Hassle with makeup+product

It seemed like as soon as I tried this product.. it dried me out and no form of moisturizer could help. NOT good for people with dry skin.
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November 6, 2013
Product used: The Regimen
Works Better Than Most!

Pros:

Works Very Well
Products help my makeup spread more evenly and cover my scars better
Almost like a religious ritual

Cons:

Takes a long time for the products to dry
Difficult to follow the regimen every day
I'm not very attractive at night with a goopy face

I am 27 years old and have been suffering from acne and the resulting scars for about fifteen years. It's only gotten worse as I've gotten older, which sucks as someone attempting to look professional. A combination of the acne.org Regimen and mineral makeup have made a huge difference in my life. My medication history: In high school, I went on birth control and it made my skin look like that of a beautiful newborn baby. So smooth and perfect. A few months after going off of birth control (mood swings and weight gain were killer), the acne came back. Badly. I went on antibiotics in college and they worked great the first time around, but the idea of being on antibiotics for so long made me uncomfortable so I ditched them after a year. Again, acne returned in full force. The next year, I went back on the same antibiotics and they didn't work at all. I then went to a dermatologist and was prescribed a 10% benzoyl peroxide wash as well as an insanely expensive cream to use 2x a day, which I used as directed and it barely worked. After that, I gave up for awhile and just washed my face with whatever salicylic acid product I had lying around. Obviously that didn't do much. About a year ago I bought the acne.org Regimen for the first time and it has worked better than everything else besides the oral medication which I'd rather stay away from. I'm giving the Regimen a 5/5 because it works pretty well for me and I don't use it EXACTLY as directed all the time. There are nights I just don't feel like slathering tons of cream on my face in front of my boyfriend, if you get my drift. And there are mornings I'm in too much of a hurry to wait for all of the products to dry, so I only apply the lotion. As a woman, I'm also able to conceal 95% of my acne with makeup, aided by the acne.org lotion which works really well as a base on which to evenly distribute my foundation (I use Bare Minerals). Again, I don't use this product exactly as directly, but even so I have been very satisfied by the results in combination with a good mineral makeup.
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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.