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:

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August 4, 2012

Pros:

Fast-acting
No heavy fragrance
Can wear under makeup and moisturizer(if rubbed in well prior to application)

Cons:

Can be drying if you're skin is not extremely oily( but can be easily remedied with the proper moisturizer).

I used this treatment gel (more like a cream) as part of my last resort before visiting the dermatologist. I didn't want to pay $$$ to only be pumped full of meds and slather on ointments that may or may not work. Firstly- I changed my diet to more lean meat, veggies and water ( i still consumed 1% milk and a few pcs of dove dark chocolate as a treat ;-)  bcuz my skin doesnt react to dairy), then i added a Fish oil vitamin ( Super omega 3 by wonder laboratories: molecularly distilled (free of toxins) and pharmaceutical grade - both characteristics extremely important when taking Fish oil supplement). I was already exercising 5 days a week so the last thing i needed to add to my regimen was something topical. In comes C&C persa 10 gel. @ Night: i gently washed my face for 15 seconds using Aveeno clear complexion FOAMING facial wash, let my face air-dry(never use a washcloth), then apply a heavy layer of Persa gel (my skin can take the amount) - let that dry for 20 min, and then apply Aveeno clear complexion moisturizer. In the morning: the same as the night time ritual (but i fully rub Persa gel in before applying moisturizer) and my makeup glides smoothly and lasts all day. After 5 days (no exxaggeration) my skin was clear. Previously i had about 4 medium sized pimples on EACH cheek and 3 small- medium sized pimples on my forehead. so to come that far in five days was RIDICULOUSLY amazing. I truly believe all my healthy changes - along with heavy,consistent use of the Persa gel 10 cleared my acne. Needless to say i dont need to go to the derma anymore. Of course all skin types are different and everything wont work for everyone- but try my whole 180 degree regimen to see a difference in your skin and overall bodily health. I cant believe how smooth and acne free my skin is. And i thought i couldnt stay out of the mirror before Lol. About Me: Female- early 20's - naturally tan skin- daily foundation user- uses this regimen daily w/out fail.
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July 13, 2012
Product used: The Regimen
I LOVE IT!!!

The first to two weeks, you will experience some dryness and that's normal. For the passed 5-6 years I have tried all kind of products you name it, I even went to the Doctor for a laser acne treatment that cost me around $3,000 and it didn't even help a little bit. 



Love, love, love this products.

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March 5, 2012

Pros:

Did get rid of acne

Cons:

-expensive
-VERY time consuming (it took me about 15 min)
-disliked smell
-caused extreme irritation, redness, and dryness

Here is my proactiv story: I had suffered from b=very sever acne for about 2 years, and finally decided that investing in an expensive product would be worth it. So I got proactive. I knew the bottle would be small, but not THAT small. Anyway, I started using in it, and like most products it took about 2 weeks for me to see results. My acne was clearing, but not at what I consider a heftier price. The product stung my skin horribly because it had dried it out so much! My skin was red and flaky and I though maybe it would go away, but it didn't. One day it got so horrid i stayed home from school, and decided I wouldn't use the product that night. I woke up the next morning with my face in disarray. Not only was it fry and flak, but it was also covered in pimples. I did my research and found out that proactiv doesnt deep clean, it just creates a barrier on your face, and when the barrier is broken (as in, not reenforced by the product daily) the acne is unleashed. I threw the product away that morning. It was total crap. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I now use Herbaria products (all natural, and vegan) along with a Apple Cider Vinegar-water toner. And my skin is perfect. (It also cost a great deal less.) And I recommend that to everyone.
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December 12, 2011

Pros:

- WORKS

Cons:

- dries out skin
- kinda burns

ive been using this for a week, and it really does work! i do once in the morning and once before i go to bed. my skin has become soo much clearer. make sure you use moisterizer (sp?) though because it DRIES OUT SKIN SO BAD. but itll go away after a while, so use moisterizier. also, you might notice that your skin gets worse a little bit after you try it but would you rather have bad skin for 3-4 days and clearer skin after or just give up and live with it forever? :)
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October 13, 2011

Pros:

clear skin in 1 week
cleaned out pores
softened skin
tightened pores

Cons:

really dry for first week

for the record, I have never written a review on anything, but thought I should since I saw some negative reviews on these products. I'm 35 and have tried everything out there for my acne. After one week on this system, I am clear and very smooth!!! What I didn't realize, until I went for a facial, was that my pores were majorly clogged and that's why my skin was so rough and bumpy, even when I didn't have active breakouts. Facials were not working. I would be clear for a day, then rough and bumpy the next. This system cleaned out my pores in no time and the BP dried up my hormonal, cystic acne quick!! During the first 5-6 days, I did break out a lot. However, I think that my pores were clearing during this time. Now, i don't have a single pimple, and I actually have the confidence to go to the gym without makeup. I can't stop touching my face because it is so soft! now, yes, you will be very dry. I used the Moisture Surge moisturizer on top of the benzoyl peroxide moisturizer. The Moisture Surge is oil free and I loaded my face with it. You can also dab it on AFTER you put on makeup, to get rid of dry patches. It is a gel, not a cream, and it is AMAZING!!! I'm at 12 days right now, and the dryness is easing up. I think i went through a flaky phase in the beginning, similar to what a light peel would do. So, I am a firm believer in these products since I've tried everything and nothing has worked. You have got to give it the full 2 weeks as it says on the kit packaging, and use it twice a day. do not give up when your skin starts to break out more. Stick it out, and it will get better after your pores purge completely!! I can't believe that I finally love my skin after all of these years looking for a miracle!
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September 14, 2011

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

It just doesnt work
It made my skin look unhealthy, not just because of my acne but because it made it pale and dried it out even when i was using the moisturiser.
The 60 day guarantee is a lie

Ive had acne for 6 years now and used to be on medication for it which worked well but it made me really sick so i'm not too keen on using a oral treatment so i thought i'd try a topical one. Proactiv is advertised everywhere so i thought i'd give it a go. The 60 day money back guarentee seemed fair enough too. I bought mine from the actual proactiv store in our local shopping centre and i had the cleanser, toner and moisturiser, and also the advanced treatment for three times a week. I used it for the recommended 2 months, the lady told me it would take 2 skin cycles (2 months) to start working. I gave it a fair go and it didnt work at all, it only gave me alot more internal pimples. I went to take it back and was told because it was out of its 60 day guarantee i had no chance of getting my money back. I was told it would take 2 months to work, which in itself is more then 60 days. She was quite rude and only wanted my money. I wouldnt recommend it to anyone.
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August 3, 2011

Pros:

-The green tea moisturizer felt nice on the skin.
-That's pretty much it.

Cons:

-Doesn't WORK
-Dries out skin
-Damages natural oil glands
-Causes more break outs
-Scams you
-They keep charging you even when you try to cancel it, then they BILL you.
-Horrid smell
-Simply not worth it
-And SO much more

Proactive is a complete scam. DO NOT waist you're time. You'd be better off splashing acid in your face. I never had sensitive skin until Proactive damaged my face. Yes, damaged my skin to the point that I still don't know if it will ever get better. It could be PERMANENT. I used it for about 4-5 months straight. Exactly as it said, and my face was SO dry I HAD to put their products on my face to give it some relief. I was in pain and if I didn't use it for one day my face broke out like never before. So, I kept using it because I was scared of what would happen if I didn't. Until one day I received the free green tea moisturizer in my kit. That's the best thing they've EVER done for me because it helped me quit using their product. It kept my face from drying out and hurting when I wasn't using their product! On their commercials they have people saying, "My acne was like a wall that kept me from living my dreams." BS. Their product had me more trapped than a few pimples. I now use Dial moisturizer on my face and I was my face every morning and night with a moisturizing soap. My face still has some scares from proactive, but my acne is clearing up from the break outs proactive caused. (The only time it would ever be worth the try is if you have chronic acne and have tried EVERYTHING else.)
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July 27, 2011

Pros:

green tea moisturiser reduces oil

Cons:

smells very strong

proactive made my face alot worse than ever. after using this face wash, i had a huge rash appear on my face. i have stopped using proactive and the rash keeps getting worse. i would never recommend this face wash to anyone.
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July 13, 2011

Pros:

this product is AMAZING!
-clears acne overnight
-did NOT dry up my skin which is odd because the persa gel 5 did dry up my skin

Cons:

-is not available in canada

try it! I originally bought persa gel 5 because I live in Canada and we only have that here. But then I went on a trip to New York and decided to try persa gel 10. Persa gel 5 worked, but slowly. The first night i tried Persa gel 10, I saw a huge difference! I use: Clean & Clear Persa Gel 10 at night Wash my face with Clean & Clear Morning Burst (orange bottle) moisturize with Aveeno ultra calming moisturizer with spf 15 I've been doing this for about 3 days and have seen a HUGE improvement!
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July 6, 2011

Pros:

cleared acne rapidly and kept it at bay (for a few yrs)

Cons:

premature ageing and wrinkles; harsh on your skin; stops working after awhile

i had severe acne for years and started dan's regime with panoxyl. the first week was the worst - my skin became really red and inflamed and the worst thing was i had to go out like this in public. i was also flaking like crazy. also i started to get really bad wrinkles under my eyes and around my mouth - even after slathering my face with jojoba oil morning and night. these wrinkles are permanent and i have huge ones under my eyes to this day (and it's been about 3 yrs since i stopped using bp). if ur wondering i'm in my mid-20s so it's nothing to do with natural ageing! bp made my skin really itchy and gave me hyperpigmentation - which took years to get rid of.. don't get me wrong, bp does help with acne but does so in a really aggressive way, which cannot be good for ur skin in the longterm... it also stopped working for me after a few years and i got the worst breakout in my life.
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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.