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
June 1, 2010

Pros:

Its very difficult for ladies to control acne due to our hormones during our menstrual cycle; but this product has kept my skin's ph balanced, and therefore silky, clear, and smooth!!! I had tried many over the counter products, and I always thought that the most brands who have the most exposure would be the ones that worked the best... I was sooo wrong! This is my 2nd order of this product, and I think its something that I will continue purchasing, like I would food to survive!!!

Cons:

none whatsoever!!!!

All other acne products might have a lot of popularity due to media exposure, but they don't give you the results that Carley's Clear & Smooth gives you! Those products that "leave you with oil free" skin...make skin problems worse! They remove all your oil, so your skin feels the need to produce more; therefore your skin condition worsens. As for with clear & smooth...since its made with all NATURAL ingredients there is no harming your skin. You can't go wrong! I would definitely recommend Carley's Clear & Smooth Skin Treatments for everyone!!!! It has changed my self esteem, the way people see me, and my life as a whole. Now I don't have to wear concealer, foundation, or powder because this product has even faded my old acne scars!!! No more hiding behind make-up! Just my natural skin!!! I love it, and everyone that sees me lets me know the love the way my skin looks and feels!
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May 30, 2010

Pros:

Treats breakout well and stops future breakut from erupting.

Cons:

Benzol Peroxide found in moisturizer is abit too harsh for sensitive skin.

Basically Clinique 3-step system start with cleanse, tone and moisturize. The basic science behind Clinique 3-step is Exfoliation. Lead by one of the best dermatologist in America, Dr David Orentreich, believes that exfoliation is KEY to unclog pores to prevent build-up of dirt and bacteria, hence no more acne! Once exfoliation is done, the primary ingredients (Benzol Peroxide & Salicylic Acid) gushes into the pores to clean all the sh*t up! Next thing you know it... clear skin! Well the best thing about Clinique is totally hypoallegenic and fragrance free. The bad thing... perhaps the chemicals used are abit too harsh. I have tried many facial products over the past 2 years (Proactiv, Dr Murad, Malin & Goetz & many more) all failed to stop my breakout from occuring. However Clinique managed to put my breakups under control. I'ms glad I have found Clinique! I will 100% recommend this product to everyone who is seeking for a clearer,better and more youthful skin.
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May 25, 2010

Pros:

-drys out zit, FAST.
-very, very amazing results OVERNIGHT.
-won't overdry, unless you put it on the whole face a lot.
-very cheap.
-works greatttt.
-better then ANY acne product I have used & trust me I've used more than my fair share.

Cons:

-it somewhat overdries the skin, but if you use a nice light moisturiser you should be fine.

This acne product works better then most I've used & is very effective and inexpensive. Not many people carry it. But DOLLAR GENERAL does, thats where I got mine. I would definetley reccomend this too anyone that is tired of suffering from acne. :))
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May 7, 2010

Pros:

Make face look and feel soft

Cons:

No Longer works for my acne

I am very disappointed. I started using proactive June of 2000. I use to live and swear by Proactive. I recommended it to everyone, I would have done an infomercial, thats how good it use to clear my acne...Now they have changed something in it, and saying it is New and Improved, but whatever they did, they have really messed it up. It no longer clears or stops my breakouts. I wish they would go back to the old recipe. Why try to fix something that wasnt broke?
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May 2, 2010

Pros:

I like this product because it cleans my skin very very well. It also makes it feel very smooth and not shiny.

Cons:

I have used Carley's Clear and Smooth and previously Kick A** for over a year now and I still get acne, but it is not nearly as severe from before I started using Carley's products.

I don't use any other products to wash my face because I feel this is really the only one that works. I like the fact that there aren't chemicals in the face wash because I feel that they can't be good for your skin. After working out, I look forward to using Carley's Clear and Smooth because I know it will clean very well.
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April 27, 2010

Pros:

+Acne was maintained (breakouts never got out of hand)
+Easy to travel with
+The toner isn't harsh on skin
+The mask is great for spot treatments

Cons:

+Skin never actually got better
+Irritation and redness occur (from the scrub and/or fragrance)
+Price

I'd recommend this product to someone with light acne and skin that's not very sensitive. Oh, and also to someone who's willing to fork over the cash for the minimal amount of product you get when you buy the product. I used the Proactiv regimen for a year and my skin never actually got better, as stated my acne was more "maintained" and I saw less frequent break outs. But please take into consideration that I have sensitive skin and also live in Arizona where the climate demands a real moisturizer. If I'd recommend any of their products to anyone it would be their mask for spot treatments on random pop ups. I'd just dab a little on an arising enemy to my next day before bed and in the morning it'd be gone.
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April 6, 2010

Pros:

Cleared my skin immediately. Mind you, not very severe acne. Adult onset. Still in my 40s! I have been 'off' of it for about 8-9 months at suggestion of dermatologist's esthetician. They of course said it was crap and then started selling me Jan Marini products costing hundreds of dollars. The result: cyst-like acne returning. I am going back on Proactiv tonight!! Sick of waiting for a very expensive product to work. Oh, should also mention that I am also using Retin-A. Does nothing

Cons:

For the years that I used it I spent much of the time adjusting the amounts. Have to be very careful to use just the right amount of all three products for best result and no drying out. My skin is very oily so maybe that is why I didn't dry out much either.

Can't wait to get back on it!!! I have tried everything under the sun over that past 20+ years and nothing has worked as well as Proactiv.
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April 2, 2010

Pros:

not working, they send what you did not order, and charge more than you ordered! Do not deal with this kind of company!

Cons:

Do not sign up with this company. They keep sending what you did not order and charge your credit card without permision.

DO NOT DEAL WITH THIS KIND OF COMPANY. I have to call more than three times to cancel my account. Do not give your credit number to this company!
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April 2, 2010

Pros:

its helped in keeping nodules and cysts away

Cons:

pustules are my big problem here there are no big pimples but my face is covered so so much with pustules and papules and makes ur skin dry and make ur skin DARK

dont expect to much with this product like i did i didnt do much really,, it made my skin ugly,it made it really dry and dark and doesnt do anything to get rid of my oil it sucks really,,dont belive others good comment about this product they are just being payed okay,,,my biggest mistake is proactiv,,i didnt read reviews when i bought this product so ignarance for me
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March 30, 2010

Pros:

Feels fresh and clean after first use! Rids of most redness and is affective from the first time you use it. Product doesn't have any strong smells or stinging.

Cons:

I found that if I used it daily more than once for about a week, my face got dried out, but still using it regularly once a day is great!

I've had acne since high school. It's been 5 years since I graduated and still suffered from breakouts. Dermatologists gave me Retinol-Micro, amongst other products that never worked. I tried ProActive which worked one week an counteracted the next. Ive tried Noxema and other store products that were harsh on my skin. Dermalogica worked for a while, but it's expensive! Neutrogena has saved my skin and my confidence! Im almost 23 and I now have the skin to prove it! It looks fresh, clean, clear, and I have control! The redness of my past acne scars has decreased rapidly, I no longer suffer from daily break outs, my husband loves touching my face! I love this product and the make up as well, which compliments both the treatment and skin tone! THANK YOU Neutrogena!
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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.