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, 2007

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

I had horrible, horrible dried out skin, to the point that it seemed burned and chapped. I will NEVER, EVER use this product again

Sure its affordable, but you end up spending more money on products to heal your skin after it is dried out and chapped and red.
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May 16, 2007

Pros:

effective... for 2 days... that's fast! :)

Cons:

well, my skin went dry and oh red!

i'm allergic to benzoyl peroxide (so guess that explains the redness of my face) but it makes my face clearer... i just put it all over my face at night, then leave for about an hour then wash it again... (so that it won't make my face super duper red! hehe) it works!!!
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May 15, 2007

Pros:

It clears up your skin, of course.

Cons:

If you miss even one use (even if you only use it once a day instead of two) you break out again

I've been using this for a long time, at first it dried my skin out but now it's been working really good. THE THING YOU HAVE TO KNOW is if you miss using it ONE time, even if you just use it once a day instead of two like you're supposed to, you break out. USE the refining mask! it helps a lot. and pro activ is a good product, worth the money. use it
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May 11, 2007

Pros:

Easy to use, not expensive, lasts a long time, smells good, works better than anything I've ever used.

Cons:

None, absolutely NONE.

It's amazing. I've been using this stuff for over 4 YEARS. My boyfriend and I both use the cleanser at night, and the soap in the morning in the shower. It's sensitive enough for my boyfriend's sensitive skin but works well for my combination skin. I will never use anything else!!!
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May 9, 2007

Pros:

The "time-released" 2.5% BP lotion with moisturizers is excellent. I've tried all sorts of combinations of BP lotions and moisturizers and this is the only one that doesn't irritate my skin. It does help to "control" my acne somewhat.

Cons:

All of the anti-DHT ingredients etc. to reduce oilyness is a load of crap. Good idea and all, but I'm still just as oily. The cleanser is too overdrying.

This product is essentially just an over-priced fancy BP lotion. Skip the cleanser and toner (buy something else cheaper) and just get the lotion for $25, they have a 60 day money-back guarantee. Within the first week this product really calmed down my breakouts; however, after that I saw no further improvement (its been over two months now). I tried going back to some other BP products, but soon realized how much I missed the Clearogen for how soothing, non-irritating it is and will continue to use the lotion. I have persistant moderate acne and I'm still just as oily as before and far from being clear. The bottom line is in most cases sorry, topicals alone are not going to clear you long-term unless you have very mild acne. Acne is only a symptom that something internally is out of whack (hormones, liver, digestion, food allergy, poor diet, etc). If you have a love-hate relationship with BP I'd definitely recommend this as the hate is a little less since it isn't as irritating.
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May 7, 2007

Pros:

Drys up exisitng pimples, gets rid of blackhead, clear pores, gets rid of oil

Cons:

None

I love this stuff! I incorporated this item in my daily skincare system and I absolutely love it.
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May 5, 2007

Pros:

cleared acne for the most part

Cons:

made skin very dry at first. did nothing about acne scars

use it for acne. but if you have scars find something else
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May 3, 2007

Pros:

The price is decent, products lasted 60 days for the most part, decreased oil on my face for sure, eye make-up lasted longer b/c I used it on my eyes too, my sister claims it's the only thing that has ever worked for her (she's 33).

Cons:

I kept a photo log of my face while using Proactiv - looking back at the photos, it worked for the first 3-4 weeks, and then I was back at waking up to 5 new pimples every day - the mask works good as a spot treatment though.

It's continued to work for my sister for about 5-6 years - she gets about 1 (big) pimple every week. It worked for me at first but then it stopped. I used it 2x per day, every single day - I'm very dedicated to my skin care regime. I used it for about 6 months and even started taking birth control hoping that SOMETHING would clear my skin up, but so far, nothing ever has. I just started using Exposed yesterday so we'll see how that goes....
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April 25, 2007

Pros:

Proactive did stop the pimples I was getting for the past couple of years.

Cons:

Now instead of getting pimples my face has been getting bumps/cysts underneath my skin all over and especially on my forehead. I can't squeeze them and they don't go away. My face is now permanently scared from Proactive.

If I could do it all over again I would never use Proactive. My face and forehead are so messed up from two years of using their system I really don't know what I am going to do to fix it. If you think pimples are bad just use this stuff religously for the next two years and your face will look like rawhide that has been sitting out in the sun for 10 years. I should have known better than falling for infomercials. Yes it did stop most pimples from coming out which is what kept me using it, but the whole time it was destroying my face in another way. Thanks Proactive!
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April 25, 2007

Pros:

gets rid of some acne

Cons:

drys you out if used as described

not worth the price sell old bottles on ebay
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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.