Benzoyl Peroxide
Results
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.

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31.3%
4
25%
3
17.2%
2
12.5%
1
14%

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July 9, 2013
Product used: Proactiv+ (3-Step System)
Can be very effective.

Pros:

Can work

Cons:

Can't stop using it if it does work

I kept my acne in check with Proactiv for a good amount of time up until last November when I finished gradually getting away from it. My face was clear and I didn't really like how the toner felt on my skin so I decided to simplify my skin care routine. About a month later I started breaking out pretty bad, I tried the all natural route to no avail and eventually went back to Proactiv plus then regular Proactiv for a total of 10 weeks with no improvement whatsoever. There's no way to be %100 sure it was the stopping of the Proactiv that did me in but that's where my money is. So if you try it and it works, awesome, but don't ever stop using it. And I've heard horror stories about getting them to stop sending it to you but you can get it on amazon without all that hassle, or do what I did and calmly tell them that your dermatologist put you on a medication that reacts badly with topicals and you can't use it anymore which was true for me cause now I'm on Accutane ( which works great )
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July 7, 2013
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)
Dishonestly marketed junk.

Pros:

Did improve my acne moderately

Cons:

Regularly caused intense irritation
Effectiveness declines
Manipulative marketing draws in insecure younger kids >:/

I used Proactiv all through Jr High. I never experienced the cycle of clearing/intense breakout that a lot of Proactiv users did. What I did see was a moderate improvement to my acne, and sporadic bouts of dryness and irritation that got worse and worse each time. The problem is, if you stop using Proactiv to try and let your face heal from irritation, the acne comes back practically overnight--so it's either deal with horrific breakouts regularly, or use Proactiv on already-damaged skin. Both are painful, unsightly, and end up decimating a young teen's self-esteem. Plus, it seemed to get less and less effective as time went on, until I was basically back where I started, and the Proactiv did nothing BUT cause irritation. Now that I'm older, I've had to talk all of my younger sisters out of using Proactiv--its sensationalist commercials are so seductive to insecure tweens despite its high cost, and the subsequent letdown is even more heartbreaking as a result. I wouldn't be nearly so upset about this product if its marketing weren't so emotionally manipulative and misleading.
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July 2, 2013
Product used: Acne.org (Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide - 2.5%))
A skincare staple for acne

Pros:

Clears acne
Affordable
Big bottle

Cons:

Flaky skin

I love Dan's BP treatment. I had been using the Clinique 2.5% moisturizer because I had trouble finding a BP treatment-- and this is the answer. It's cheaper than many other BP products around, doesn't over dry or irritate your skin, and lasts for quite some time! I only use this once a day before I go to sleep with the acne.org moisturizer (I use Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean face wash to take off my makeup/as a cleanser, so I never ended up using the regimen's cleanser) and my skin is 99% clear. My hyperpigmentation has significantly faded. This is a great acne treatment and has become a staple for my skincare routine.
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June 22, 2013
Product used: Clinique (Acne Solutions Clear Skin System)
great for my skin!!

Pros:

prevents further breakouts
lots of product for what you pay
this brand also has makeup that helps clear skin

Cons:

expensive

i ve been using this stuff for a while, and i seriously love it. i would definitely recommend this product to any of my friends. i use the foundation and concealer from this brand to help my skin as well.
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June 17, 2013
Product used: Acne.org (Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide - 2.5%))
Been using for 4 years

Pros:

inexpensive
works reliably

Cons:

drying

As mentioned above I've been using this product for about four years. Prior to that, I'd tried countless other products to help with my skin. I still get some hormonal acne once a month, but the BP helps clear it up very quickly, as long as I faithfully apply it twice a day. In general my skin is pretty clear these days and I'm really happy to have found this product. The only negative is that I'm prone to dry skin, so I have to moisturize a lot to avoid flakiness.
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June 5, 2013
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Repairing Lotion 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide)
HORRIBLE!!

Pros:

Really cleared my skin.

Cons:

Eyes swollen shut.
Red face that was too hot to touch.

I found that Proactiv really worked. That is, until I woke up to large, almost swollen shut eyes and a face that was so red, it looked worse than a sun burn. I went to the clinic and they said the swelling might not go down in time for my graduation. When I googled this, I read that many people have this problem. It usually appears when someone uses it for a while, stops for more than a week, then continues again. Most people have this happen after years of use, but it only took me four months for side effects to occur. If I could rate this product zero out of five stars, I would. Wish me luck.
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June 2, 2013
Product used: Walgreens (Maximum Strength Benzoyl Peroxide Gel)
Hit or miss

Pros:

Dry's pimples overnight (sometimes)
Cheap

Cons:

Pigment discoloration
Leaves skin dry

This product is kind of a hit or miss with me when it comes to treating spots. Sometimes dabbing a few areas with the cream will dry out the pimples, other times it will not. Overall, compared to other products like indian healing clay and tea tree oil, 10% benzoyl peroxide seems to be the best product for fast spot treatments. I do notice that the benzoyl peroxide seems to leave red marks where the pimple once was and tends to stay discolored for a while. Overall, if you are in desperate need to treat a blemish, this product will do fine.
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April 27, 2013
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Renewing Cleanser)

Pros:

Clears skin quickly

Cons:

Really rough on skin
Inflames skin
Expensive

I got this for Christmas, so I'm not positive how much it costs. It did clear up my skin after about a week of use but it was so harsh. After using it, it would leave my skin really red and inflamed. The first time, my mom even asked if I had a sunburn because I was so red. It also dried out my chin and the areas around my nose and mouth. I had to stop eventually because of the side effects of burning and drying my skin.
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April 10, 2013
Product used: Brevoxyl-4 (Benzoyl Peroxide (4%) Cream)

Pros:

no pros

Cons:

My skin got really dry
My acne got a little worst

I started this treatement with a lot of positive thoughts but sadly it haven't done anything to my face. It just caused me a painful dryness. However ,I recommend it because as i see , this product has many fans. No product was good for me so I have started to take diane 35. I can't wait to see if it works.
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April 3, 2013
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Acne Treatment System)

Pros:

•cleared up
•smells good
•take me 2 to 3 mins
•easy to store

Cons:

•dries out the sides of my nose
•when stopping usage after a day it immediately breaks me out

I recommend it to people with moderate acne also you may want to put a little bit of lotion (not to much or it will make your face greasy and shiny then vlog up your pores) very good experience with it;)
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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