Benzoyl Peroxide
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Side Effects

Benzoyl peroxide is a topical treatment that kills acne bacteria and dries/peels the skin, helping to keep pores unclogged.

It is usually applied once or twice a day to the acne-affected area. You should see results quickly, but sometimes it takes 4 to 6 weeks of treatment to become apparent.

3.5
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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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May 5, 2015
Product used: Acne.org (Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide - 2.5%))
Ineffective for acne. Great at bleaching and ruining your favorite clothes and towels
I've used Benzoyl Peroxide in vain over the course of a few years (both as a wash and spot treatment) and am finally giving up. I have persistent mild to moderate acne and this product does nothing other than bleach my clothes and towels. It doesn't seem to prevent my breakouts. Nor does it seem to help existing ones heals any quicker. When I really up the usage it just dries out my skin, causing it to flake and crack, and makes things altogether worse.
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May 5, 2015
Product used: Neutrogena (On-the-Spot Acne Treatment (Old Formula))
tried it for a year when i was a teen
not as effective as you wish... i highly recommend clean and clear persa gel 10 it is life!! lol best of luck <3
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May 4, 2015
Product used: The Regimen
Works fast and effectively
I've been using the regimen on and off for many years, and it definitely works. A first time user should find minor relief within just one day/night; as the skin will feel a bit drier (in a positive way) and a tiny reduction in acne overnight. Within a few weeks, it sticks and works more and more. The effect tapers off within 1-2 weeks after you stop using it. It's important to follow the instructions particularly for the benzoyl peroxide part, particularly the part about thoroughly rubbing it in after applying it. Otherwise, you're left with a wet and icky feeling on your face. It's also important to not skimp on the moisturizer, or your skin will get dry. To name a few downsides of the product: It smells a bit icky, feels a bit wet (rub it in thoroughly but gently to minimize this), and bleaches textiles. You really can't apply it in the morning and head out for school or work; it will smell and feel uncomfortable, particularly if you mix it up with the moisturizer, and your clothes will get bleached. I just apply it in the evening after my daily shower and it will be fully absorbed the morning after. I put on a white t-shirt (white textiles do not get miscolored by it) for the evening, before applying it. One more note: You can use other face wash and moisturizer products; the cheap and plentiful amounts of benzoyl peroxide treatment is what makes the regimen great. I would give benzoyl peroxide 4 stars because of the downsides of smell and bleaching, but that's not the fault of the regimen, so I give 5 stars all in all.
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May 1, 2015
Product used: Acne.org (Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide - 2.5%))
After 6 months of use, still too irritating for my skin.
I'll start off by saying that I've been a BP user for nearly 10 years now. I wouldn't say that I have full on, all over acne, more like 2-5 zits going on at any given time with very sporadic clear times. I'd like those sporadic clear times to happen more often. I used Proactiv BP for about 7.5 years before getting tired of the price & mandatory subscription service. I then tried Paula's Choice BP for another 1.5 years. I didn't notice much of a difference between the 2. Both were somewhat effective, but were not clearing me the way I wanted to. Which led me to do more acne research, and thus to acne.org. I've been doing the Regimen for 6 months with the Acne.org BP (2.5%). I'm not sure WHY this BP dries me out / causes so much more irritation than other BPs I've used in the past, but it does. I feel like I've given it a fair shake, but after all this time I can still only apply a little bit once per day (and some days not at all, when my skin is super dried out & irritated). I think this is partially why my skin is not as clear as I want it to be. It's also the only BP that makes my eyes burn - not that I am applying anywhere near my eye, but must just be the "fumes" from it being on my skin. So, I don't buy the "I just need to give it more time" argument as my skin was well used to BP when I started using this product. I would say that my skin tends to be more on the sensitive side. I would be wary of this product if yours is, too.
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April 21, 2015
Product used: Carley's (Clear and Smooth Skin Treatment)
did not work for me.. but great customer service
well i truly tried this for abour 3 months and all i can say was that it makes your skin smooth but does not clear it. it has left a tremendous amount of scars for me. i do however have to say that it was the scrubbing with the washcloth and the natural soap that really bothered my face on op of BP in the product. I do like their moisturizers! they do wonders and i will continue to buy them but for acne no. i also ordered the tea tree version. I do not recommend both cleansers for sensitve skin. It just destroys the skin. I believe that the natural soap strips too much of the skin as well. i have pictures and the "progress" of the products i will update soon my recommendation: the lotions are great! i do love their lotions. The regime- not for me. and also they have the best customer service of a company that i have ever came in contact with.
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March 6, 2015
Product used: Oxy (Maximum Action Advanced Face Wash)
improvement
i used thus product for a month and did see an improvement. my acne bumps got smaller but the red spots were still visible.
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February 28, 2015
Product used: Walgreens (Maximum Strength Benzoyl Peroxide Gel)
This is like a wonder gel for acne
This is a very cheap and easy way to quickly get rid of acne blemishes. I use it whenever I need a relatively quick fix, and this was just the thing. The only downside, is that it tends to dry out your face, so you should always use a good moisturizer afterward--
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A.lexandriia
November 10, 2017
Agree
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February 14, 2015
Product used: Acne.org (Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide - 2.5%))
Works! :)
The product works. I have had mild acne, with some cysts and I also have quite dry skin (not oily at all) and my brother had moderate acne with dry skin - we both use this, and it has eliminated my acne completely. Except the occasional spot, but no more than what is normal for most people. My brother's acne is clearing effectively as well. We both tried a different brand of Benzoyl Peroxide (5%) it worked well too, but this worked even better in completely clearing my acne like the other one didn't do. Bottom line is: This is a cheap, and in my opinion also the best, option to clear acne. I put only jojoba oil afterwards, rarely do I use any cream/moisturizer and I find that to help keeping me clear as well... I think the simplicity of just oil is good for the skin.
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February 12, 2015
Product used: Oxy (Maximum Action Advanced Face Wash)
DONT USE
i cant stress enough about this benzoly perxiode how ever u spell it dries out ur skin andmakes it worst and oily use stuff on ur skin ur would eat eaty eating habits and drinking lots of water i have tried this and BUNCH OF DRUG STORE PRODUCTS im 13 yrs old and even has tried epiduo and got a chemical burn from it absoulty horriable ive started using raw oats and baking soday as a wash in the shower and leave it on for a little bit but also i use a honey and cimmon mask and just bough some mankua honey ive seen a difference in like 4 days already, and i use braggs apple cider vinger for my toner smellsa little werid but makes my skin feel clean. also every once and a while i use raw aloe and has made my skin very bright and helps with the redness
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February 9, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Continuous Control Acne Cleanser)
Best ever.
I've been struggling with acne for 19 years (according to the picture in the quiz, moderate acne). I've tried so many things that helped, but never cleared it up 100%, until this. I bought it on a whim, because the store was out of my usual facewash. It worked great. I use it once a day. My cheeks are not dry and flakey anymore since I started using this product. I moisturize with baby lotion daily as well. I still get a few small ones due to hormones just before my periods, but they are easily treated. I love it. Only con is that I noticed some color bleaching on the neckline of some of my shirts. Switching my routine to washing my body after washing my face has stopped it from happening.
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Valerie_
January 18, 2016
Out of curiosity were you able to restore the color to the bleached clothing?
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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.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

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.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website