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
August 4, 2009

Pros:

NO PROS

Cons:

MADE MY ACNE WORSE!!!!! on top of that my face became dry even with intense moisturizer, the refining mask smelt horrible and did nothing for me

I never had acne until this year and im in my early 20's, thought this would be the best treatment, unfortunately it made my face even worse! I was using it consistantly twice a day as instructed, never missed a step, and now 4 weeks later my face looks the same, actually it looked inflammed because of the system. try using 100% aloe vera gel, i applied a layer to my face last night after seeing the inflammation caused by the proactiv, this morning i noticed that the inflammation completely went away, it brought some pimples to a head, and even caused some to clear completely...I also used it after a 3 step cleansing system that is gentle on the skin with no B.Peroxide or S.Acid.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 4, 2009

Pros:

Feels good after washing, cleared up alot of acne, made face feel smooth

Cons:

bad smell, a little dryness on skin. the smell burns eyes.

This is acctually working really well on my acne. I do recommend using a moisteriser with it, but other than that its great. I had bad acne on my cheeks, and this has cleared almost all of that up. Now when I do get pimples they are just tiny ones that go away in a day.If you. I noticed that most of the people saying that it didn't help their breakouts had only used this product for about a week. You need to use any kind of acne cleanser for at least two weeks before you can decide it's not working. Some skin won't show results untill then. Also when you start using a product like this it will pull up all of the stuff under your skin causing you to get more acne in the first week. So don't give up on it so soon this really is a great products!
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 3, 2009

Pros:

Just worked! I was on stuff from my dermatologist which had almost cleared up my skin but I still wasn't happy. Switched to the entire 3 step line of Clinique's Acne solution and my skin cleared up and the quality and look of my skin improved greatly

Cons:

Drying, but I used Aveeno's daily moisturizer on top and it wasn't a problem. Pricey, but worth it.

I made the mistake of going off of Clinique's line to Carley's Clear and Smooth (saw the reviews here and it was cheaper). Carley's literally clogged every pore of my face and I broke out terribly. When it comes to Clinique, the price is really 100% worth the quality that you get in return. My skin is smooth, soft, and almost completely blemish free. You really can't go wrong with Clinique. The starter kit is $30.00 and has a great return policy.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 3, 2009

Pros:

it kinda clears yer skin!!

Cons:

makes yer face really dryy!!!

it works well!!but follow the directions to a T!!!or watever
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 3, 2009

Pros:

Works well for a while, reduced my acne a bit, and acne never came back as bad

Cons:

stops working after a while,stings face and makes it dry, also made my skin very dry.

try it , you never no
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 2, 2009

Pros:

Everything! This stuff is a miracle. It is the ONLY thing that has ever worked on my acne. I even had people commenting on how nice my skin looked and they didnt even know I started using this. My face was not red and bumpy anymore, this is amazing!!

Cons:

It is expensive but to have clear skin, it's worth it! Doesn't smell too great but at least you only have to deal with it when you're putting it on.

The best acne product I've ever tried, and in my 36 years, i've tried a LOT!!! I really hope they never discontinue this stuff because I will go back to having a pizza face again. note: For acne severity, I put "moderately severe" meaning it would be moderately severe if I didnt have ProActiv!
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 1, 2009

Pros:

Very effective. Works quickly. Feels clean and fresh. LOVE.

Cons:

Rather expensive. It's worth it though.

I have been using this for 4 days and my skin is completely cleared. I even was feeling a pimple starting to come up, and I think it stopped it. It's a miracle. I've tried Epiduo, Tretinoin, and Tazorac. Nothing was working. Those are all dermatologist prescribed medications. I spent a lot of money in dermatologist visits, and she wasn't helping me. I was ready to give up- And then I bought Proactive Thank you sooo much Proactiv and thank you Drs. Rodan and Fields!!! I highly recommend this to everyone.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 31, 2009

Pros:

It helped my acne weird enough but it didn't fully go away

Cons:

It stopped working like most products but was the only one that got my acne under control

Ths product did work though if you have severe acne like me its not going to fully go away. Its more for moderate acne to people with a few blemishes.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 30, 2009
The FDA took my Acne Cream away. I'm not likeing them so much right now. Bastids.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 28, 2009

Pros:

Cleansing, tingly feeling, smooth skin, smells good, works well, cool feeling

Cons:

Makes face light red when rinsed but goes away after an hour or so.

This product is pretty much great! I've used countless products on my face and none of them are as good as this one! From day 1 my skin has gotten way smoother especially my cheeks which is lovely and my previous acne scars are also way better too! This product causes a bit of red color in the cheeks so you may look flushed but it goes away in a hour or so. Some have also said it causes dryness so I put on a moisturizer, I recommend you use a moisturizer with at least some SPF because apparently on the bottle it says you want to wear sunscreen while using this product and going outside. I use Clinique Youth Surge Moisturizer with it and it's AMAZING! Since the product has already left my skin so smooth using the Youth Surge with it worked wonders and made my skin looking very young and soft! it's great even if you don't even have that many pimples/acne which I don't. But I do get them easily so whether you have severe acne or not, use this product cause it works wonders from the start!
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report

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.