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 22, 2009

Pros:

Treats a rare case or 2 lol

Cons:

It makes it worse EVERYTIME, not woth the money. Wast of time

my friend loves it i hate it. It only works on certin people is say its about 50 / 50 cahnce try jsut a dove bar soap for sensitive skin 2 $ and it dose work well and only use that nothing else
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May 18, 2009

Pros:

SEARCH UP EGG MASK WORKS BETTER THEN THIS SH*T

Cons:

MAKES YOUR PIMPLE RAISE UP BIGGER THE NEXT DAY

AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE
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May 16, 2009

Pros:

Very light and feels really great when applied to face. The fragrance isn't too strong and smells fresh, actually. Cleared my exsisting acne to an extent.

Cons:

Tends to dry out my face just a little and does make me flake a little. In the T zone it does the opposite of drying out, it actually makes me more oily. (but the Refining Mask takes care of that.)

Clears up face but does also dry it out. USE THE GREEN TEA MOISTURIZERRRR! ITS AMAZING
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May 10, 2009

Pros:

I had moderate acne on my face and this product pretty much cleared it all. It's also very easy to apply on the skin. It is neutrally scented.

Cons:

It took more than 3 months to take real effect. During those 3 months I experienced several breakouts that did die out rather quickly. It also left my skin dry for almost a month after starting the treatment.

I would say this is an effective way of getting rid of mild to moderate acne in small areas. You should give it a try but don't expect to get instant results.
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May 8, 2009

Pros:

Clears up acne quickly, in many cases overnight. Easy to find. BP gives me better results over all other RXs and OTCs I've tried.

Cons:

Premature Aging, Drying, Bleaches clothing

I am 25 years old have been dealing with acne for over 10 years now. I really thought I would be through with this once I was about 20 or so, and while it is more controllable now, it has not gone away completely. I've read studies that when BP oxygenates the skin, it produces free radicals and when used over long periods of time can be incredibly damaging. I decided to switch to Retin-A Micro, BHA 5%, and using Vitamin C serum under my sunscreen to help treat my acne and reverse some of the previous damage I've done with BP. However, my skin was breaking out. I would have a few days of clearer skin, but it would never be consistent like when I use BP. So, given all this information, I still went ahead and started incorporating BP back into my regimen every other night. My skin has dramatically improved but I've used BPs for so many years. It's sad to have to choose between clear skin and free radical damage.
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May 8, 2009

Pros:

I use the persa gel 5 (because 10% bp is considered a prescription in Canada) it worked on my cheek acne!! I tried everything spend 100 and 100 of dollars this is a miracle in a tube!!!

Cons:

dries the skin, NOT FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

If you have sensitive skin don't use this product.
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May 7, 2009

Pros:

it reaelly works, better than proactiv, it works fast, over night, in a few days, its not that expensive at all just about 8-10$ there r more expensive things like aveeno and proactiv, im african american and it does work on my face.

Cons:

drys skin but get a good face moisturizer i.e. expensive ass aveeno, and also doesnt really help against acne scarring so u may want to get a moisturizer that clears blemishes and scars (ambi, aveeno positively radiant etc)

it works, quick. i used proactiv for months and it just made my skin worst, i quickly went to the drug store got me some clearisil ultra acne clearing face scrub and the vanishing cream and my skin started improving in just 3 nights. i've tried everything frm clean&clear, neutrogena, ambi face products, olay, proactiv, etc maybe clearasil didnt work for everyone but its not a bad product at all, everyone has to find wats good for them
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May 7, 2009

Pros:

Love it. Has helped my skin. I still get break outs but between the bar and gel, it helps

Cons:

Dry skin, itchy sometimes, but like others said I'd rather have that then acne

I've suffered and I truly mean suffered from acne since I was 12. My older brother suffers too. Nothing ever seemed to work for me. I tried everything over the counter and prescription. Stuff would work for a while and then BAM huge break outs. I go through cover up so fast trying to hide the zits and pimples. I still am self conscience and I am almost 29. My face and back are looking much better thank to PanOxyl. I've been recommending it. It hasn't cleared my skin totally but it has made a huge difference.
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May 6, 2009

Pros:

start seeing results immediately

Cons:

pimples come back after you stop using it.
dries out your skin

if you have painful acne and you just dread the thought of looking at yourself in the mirror, proactiv is a lifesaver. in only three days of using it, people were commenting on how much my skin has cleared up, and my family members who have used proactiv in the past, immediately knew what i was using. trust me, if you want clear, beautiful skin, use proactiv. you won't regret it. as for the dry skin, after the first two weeks, it starts to go away. i'm so pleased with this product, i want to share it with everybody !
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May 4, 2009

Pros:

None.

Cons:

Dry/irritated skin. Did not make my face clear, made me look OLDER and red, blotchy skin. Smells bad. Absolutely awful.

Don't get tricked into buying this product because Jessica Simpson uses it. Bottom line, she is an idiot... and so are you if you think this product will work for you.
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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.