
Used Benzoyl Peroxide? Rate It:
The acne.org Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5 % has saved my skin!! I was using acne.org from November 2017 until January 2019. Why did I stop you may ask?...My skin was clear and flourishing but Instagram and popular skincare caught my eye. I switched to another skincare routine and it seemed to be going well (BIG MISTAKE!!!) until my acne started to creep back in on my jaw line, then on my cheeks. I used this different routine for 3 months and now I regret every moment of it..so...I went back to acne.org because I KNOW it works! The purge from using the acne.org Benzoyl Peroxide made my skin purge...It was horrific! However, I knew it was just doing it's job to unclog my pores from the previous skincare I was "trying out". 2 months later and my face is smooth again, I still have scars from my skin purging but the acne.org Benzoyl Peroxide is definitely getting me back to normal! Note to self and others out there...don't even change what is working in your favor!!
And yes, even though you may have been on the regimen before...starting over after a period of time means that you have to let your skin get used to it again....I know from experience. The purge was probably worse for me because I tried using too much when I went back on it in July. It takes time...start slow and YOU WILL see results.
After using the acne.org regimen for about 12 years, my face had been clear for so long I didn’t have any acne scars. I started getting eczema on the delicate skin by my jawline, and my dermatologist recommended that I quit using benzoyl peroxide because it was “too harsh” and said that most people can keep acne at bay with salicylic acid products. I followed her advice, and I was thrilled that my face remained clear and the eczema went away! A month later, I learned what an error this was! The acne returned with a vengeance!!!!!! I switched back to the acne.org regimen, and it has taken me 4 months to get back to semi-reasonable skin. And now I have lots of scars. I will never quit the regimen again. I am 35 now, but I fully plan on being an 80 year old who still follows this routine! I don’t care how many shirts and towels and pillowcases I accidentally bleach. Clear skin is worth it!
I waited a full month to review this product to see if the results were a fluke, but at this point, I don't think they are. I've always suffered from acne in varying degrees. When I was 26, I finally found a combo that essentially gave me perfect skin: 100 mg of spiro/day and Ziana (clindamycin/tretinoin gel) every night. Well, this year (at age 28), my husband I decided we wanted to start a family, so I stopped both. I was nervous; I suffer tremendously from anxiety and depression linked to my acne, like many people do, and I was so scared that it would come back. And it did. Within about a month, I started breaking out again. I ended up getting pregnant our second month trying, and my face exploded. It was worse than I've ever experienced in my life. Mostly hormonal (to no one's surprise, I'm sure), with patches of cystic pimples under my jaw and on my cheeks, but even my cheeks and forehead were covered in closed comedones/"regular" zits. Combined with my pregnancy hormones, I was an absolute wreck, very deeply depressed. It's hard to put into words those feelings, but if you've felt something similar, I don't think I need to.
Anyway, I tried using natural products to help, mainly apple cider vinegar and the Aztec healing clay mask at night, along with a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. They didn't do much. Finally, when I started my second trimester, my OBGYN gave me the OK to use some topical treatments, namely this BP gel. I'm not exaggerating, I started seeing effects almost immediately. Of course, I didn't have clear skin overnight (or even in many nights). What I mean is that I could see my existing pimples drying out, and less new ones forming. The biggest difference, though, was the general inflammation in my skin; within a week, the redness had nearly disappeared. Nowhere near perfect skin, but I could let my husband see me without makeup for the first time in months. (Side note, my husband is a wonderful man, and he reminded me daily that my skin has nothing to do with why he loves me, etc. etc. Yet, I was still ashamed and frankly disgusted with myself, so I chose to wear the makeup nearly 24/7. Maybe it sounds ridiculous, but I was just doing what I could to get through it.)
As for side effects, the dryness was very noticeable at the beginning, which was probably because I did not start as slowly as recommended. I don't have very sensitive skin, though, and while I was very dry/flaky/scaly in the beginning, my face was not red or overly irritated. I don't regret bumping the BP up faster than recommended because I don't think the side effects were unbearable, and I was able to use more BP sooner than I would've otherwise (and from what I understand, more BP = more results, within reason).
Now, a month later, my skin is not perfect, but I do look in the mirror every morning and feel so incredibly thankful. I have red marks left over, and I still break out here and there, but I look like someone with very average skin, which is incredible. I do plan to stop using this and get back onto my previous regimen once I have my baby and finish breastfeeding, but in the meantime, this has (perhaps literally) saved my life. I was skeptical that it could do anything for me when I first started, and sometimes I still can't believe how much it has helped me. If you're on the fence, please just give it a try. No one should have to feel the way I was feeling a few months ago.
I also wanted to note that I stopped eating dairy, which might or might not have helped. (I've stopped in the past and it had no noticeable effect, so it's very possible I'm depriving myself of cheese for nothing.) Also, my hormones are obviously a huge factor in my acne, so in the interest of full disclosure, I'm sure the shift from first to second trimester played a role. Given how closely my skin's reaction matched Dan's little "what to expect" chart, though, I really believe this product is the main reason my skin has changed so drastically.
I give this 5 stars because I had used this in the past and loved it but somewhere along the way I was misled with youtubers talking about facial cleansing brushes (worst idea ever), retinoids/retinols/vit a derivatives (burned my skin because of hypersensitivity), essential oils (oops! don't use tea tree oil directly), and after having my ego bruised from my embarrassing skin...I went full circle back to the Regimen.
I have since switched out the moisturizer because my skin is sensitive to the formulation. I switched it out to Mario Badescu's Aloe Vera lotion with SPF15 (tiny bottle that lasts a few months).
Old skin:
My old skin had red rashes from my neck, up my chin, to my cheeks and even up the hairline. It was painful and itchy. I even had these weird seborrheic-type bumps all over my skin. Each time I would pop them open, it would be a tiny but firm ball of oil. It smelled bad and I just wanted none of it. My skin looked leathery, inflamed, red and didn't have a smooth texture. I had scars that were discolored and scabs on both cheeks. I would cover it up with makeup and all it did was highlight the damaged skin even more. I thought maybe it was dehydrated - so I tried hyaluronic acid formulations and still nothing. I tried NOT doing anything at all - yeah that didn't do it. I tried the spinning brushes, facial masks, DIY charcoal peels, store bought peels...EVERYTHING. Even my bf started to worry about me. Then I saw an ad for acne.org and remembered how my skin was glowing on the regimen back in the day.
New skin:
My skin is SOFT again! It has a dewy texture and I wish I could show you pictures, but I'm too shy for that. Sometimes, I don't even wear makeup when I run errands. In one word, I would describe this as FREEDOM. I have complete and utter freedom. Even my makeup routine has changed. I use a Fenty foundation, ITcosmetics bronzer, mascara and eye brow tint. That's it!
My steps:
1. In the morning, I wet my face without really touching it. I just enjoy the feeling of the water. Then I pump and lather up the cleanser really good (this is key) and gently wash my face. I BARELY even touch my face. They key is not to irritate your face. That is the ultimate SECRET as to why the regimen is so successful. I stopped bothering my face! At night, the cleanser is a lifesaver because it washes off mascara and foundation without all that scrubbing.
2. I rinse without really touching my skin - just splashing the water on it. Then I use a clean towel to lightly press and let the towel do all the work. NO SCRUBBING.
3. I wait until it's dry before I apply the BP. I started off with a dot on my middle finger pad. Then I increased the dose by measuring halfway on my middle finger.
4. Once the BP has dried, I wash my hands/dry them off...and then apply my Mario Badescu facial lotion. It didn't take much to moisturize. I have to admit, I did use the one that came in the Acne.org kit but it made me itch so bad. I could only do it for a month before I had to switch.
IMPORTANT: I don't put any other stuff on my face. No oils, no sprays, no nothing! I suggest you follow and stick to the regimen and once you have the basics, you're on your way to beautiful skin.
I've always had amazing skin and then BOOM! One spot after another started appearing on my face. These were under the skin, un-poppable painful little things and were leaving marks EVERYWHERE. I felt depressed, upset, hormonal and would not leave the house without makeup on. I went to a dermatologist who put me on Erythromycin and doxycycine and lymecycline for 7 months at a time and they weren't making any difference. After trying absolutely everything on the market from drug store to Mario Badescu to Proactiv, must have spent thousands to be honest, my main goal was my skin. I stumbled upon this when I seen a YouTube review and thought I would give something one last try. After one month my skin broke out really bad, dry and painful but I stuck with it hoping it would work. I'm so glad I did as it's the best thing that's happened in a long while. I was persistent that it would get better, things always get worse before they get better and this is so true. After 3 months spots were reducing in size, redness reducing and spots weren't so much under the skin they were above the skin with some heads (improvement). After 6 months I had a little outburst of acne again out of nowhere but this is known to happen. And then after 8 months... The difference (WOW). I didn't realise how much until I got a memory on my photos and it was pictures of my skin for the dermatologist and the difference is remarkable. I feel so confident now, I'm happy, you don't realise how much it can affect your life. I still use the benzoyl peroxide in the morning and at night along with Duac gel (from doctor but you can buy) and then every night a small layer of aha cream for the scars. I hope this helps someone like it did me! Entirely grateful
Pictures below are 8 months after.
Yes Acne.org WORKS! For years and years I have struggled with cystic acne. I always felt like no one understood me because everywhere I looked for cystic acne products they never sell anything specific in stores for it and home remedies never worked for me. It was so annoying to me to have those hard sometimes blood filled bumps under my skin that always came and went! And nothing I ever used would make them go away, nothing. Finally this summer my acne got worse than I think it ever had, to some you may not think it is that bad from the pictures but to me it felt like it. I was also stressed from college and in an abusive relationship and eating unhealthy and I finally flipped the switch changed my habits and found acne.org online, I also got on a different birth control (just telling you guys this cause these factors may have also helped my skin). I have been using acne.org for only almost 3 months! And as you can tell it's working wonders for me! Don't be worried at first I didnt like it. The benzoyl peroxide made me face super itchy and red and I hated the lotion. I almost stopped and about threw the products away mad, thinking this was just some gimic like most products, but I read that this will happen the first couple weeks. I'm glad I pushed through because now I love the products so much. The face wash clears your pores, makes your face so smooth and feeling so clean but not dried out. The benzoyl peroxide clears my pores reduces redness stopped my cystic acne COMPLETLEY and overall clears your skin. The lotion at first I hated but I love now it leaves my skin so smooth and does not clog your pores at all!! Although I will admit I did change the regimen just a bit. For the most part I follow it to the tee, only thing I do not use a ton of benzoyl peroxide like it says, as you can tell I no longer have acne so I feel like that's unnecessary for me. I use a small amount on my bad areas but that's it. I also only use a pump and a 1/4 pump of lotion although it recommends 2 full pumps, I think that's unnecessary for me. What I also love about this product is if I go to the bar and pass out at my friends or something one night and don't wash my face my skin does not break out!! I love these products lately all my friends family and coworkers rave about how beautiful and clear my skin is and I tell them about these products!! Since I've started this regimen I have not had a single cystic acne break out and that means so much to me. Thank you so much acne.org.
I started using this regimen out of desperation. About 2 months before I started using this product I had switched from the pill birth control to an IUD. Within a short amount of time the switch had thrown my hormones out of wack. I developed cystic acne and it grew and grew. It got to the point where I would only leave the house to go to classes and that was it. I was incredibly self-conscious of my skin and the acne on it. I was uncomfortable in my own skin and i knew something needed to be done. I started with some topical medicines that didn't work. That is when I started this regimen. And it CHANGED MY LIFE. I have been using it for around 9 months and I can go days with no makeup and feel completely comfortable. I have a combination of dry and oily skin. But, this regimen is a great use for it all. Thank you Acne.org!
After suffering with acne and spending thousands of dollars from different stores not mention the time spent and the esteem lowered I finally got the perfect solution for my skin.I wore makeup every day just to cover my now turned into unpleasant skin,I looked twice older than my age...so unbelievable.
Thanks to the scientists that invented this life saving regimen Solution for my skin,I finally feel young and flawless in a beautiful natural me.
Black women this is the solution not bleaching cream lol!
Very good product. Have used it few times
im having the exact same experience! Im about a month in to using the benzoyl peroxide again every other night and still breaking out--- how long did it take to get under control again?
So I've been very careful with it after using too much of it in the beginning, so I reduced again and started very slow.
Week 1: Pea size amount at night only.
Week 2: Pea size amount in the morning and at night.
Week 3: Pea size in the morning, double the pea size at night.
Week 4: Repeat week 3.
Week 5: Two pea sizes in the morning, 2 at night.
Keep increasing from there - but listen to what your skin is telling you. If you start to get irritated one week, don't increase until your skin is used to it.
I would say it's taken about 3 - 4 months. My cheeks and forehead are super smooth but my temples didn't get the initial purge memo so they are doing that now. Some areas of your face might need time for the benzoyl peroxide to really draw out what it under the skin. It is helping that I use an ice cube to ice my face right before applying the benzoyl peroxide because I saw it helps to penetrate products deeper and gives a little exfoliation.
Be patient with it! You got this! Let me know how it goes!
Hey quick question! What moisturizer are you using? I’m having a hard time finding one that’s not breaking me out. Thanks!