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
December 16, 2009

Pros:

Cleard up my acne right away, I havent had any new breakouts since i started using it.

Cons:

My eyelids are on FIRE! I think its my skin trying to adjust to something new.

Clinique products are amazing. Im a die hard Clinique freak and i love everything they have, so im convinced that this is going to work.
December 16, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

This product was horrible. It made my skin red, dry, shiny, and my acne was much worse. My skin felt tight and suffocated.

This product never worked for me. I've found that some acne products will make your acne a little worse in the beginning and then clear it up well. But AcneFree never helped my skin. It was awful. I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone.
December 14, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Didn't work AT ALL. It's a pain in the butt with all of the steps and it dried my face out really bad.

Try it if you want but it didn't work for me
December 9, 2009

Pros:

It use to work really well in begining. For a whole year i has clear skin thanks to proctive.

Cons:

after that first year well, now it doesnt work and I have worse break outs then what i originally started with.

Try it. It really did work for a year. even though it doesnt work now i am glad i was some what acne free for a whole year. now its just on to another product : (
December 9, 2009

Pros:

Worked great....for the first week.

Cons:

Dry face, acne got worse.

I used this garbage for a little more than 2 months and my face looks like garbage. I had to go to this after the acne.org regimen stopped working for me (I recommend that more than THIS) It only gave me great clear skin for the first week but then everything went downhill. They say stop using it and your face breaks out worse but I just stopped using it and my face got better, so yeah, never going back to that again..
December 3, 2009

Pros:

Cheaper than proactiv
cleared up my skin pretty quickly
includes moisturizer and cleanser

Cons:

time consuming
have to use REGULARLY
sometimes the cleanser is thick

I like this product, it is the only thing that has really workedfor me. One negative thing about this is that I still have breakouts sometimes, I'm never completely clear.
December 2, 2009

Pros:

works pretty well, easy to use

Cons:

burns skin, causes severe dryness and flakiness, takes a while after first use to start working

It's a good product but use really carefully around your eyes, mouth and nose
November 27, 2009

Pros:

The cleanser is a scrub feels really nice. Doesn't leave any scares after acne starts to clear.

Cons:

It starts to burn your skin really bad within a week. The toner stings the face. After the second week it broke my face out worse. The repairing lotion made my skin oily for a month it stop being oily after that.

I use dime pea pea which they tell you to do. I use it twice a day everyday I NEVER MISS A DAY AND I USE ALL THE PRODUCTS, morning and night. I start seeing results after 5 months of using proactiv. On T.V. they said after a month you get full results NOT TRUE. Its been 7 months now and im going to quit using product and cancel my membership. (YOU DONT GET FULL RESULTS) I used it faithfully. My fiance' wants me to try MUARD "acne complex" i'm going to see how that works.
November 26, 2009

Pros:

Makes your skin feel really soft. Works well if you use it religiously and as instructed. Refining Mask and Exfoliant drastically minimized pore size.

Cons:

Can't skip on your routine. The Refining Mask can smell bad, especially when you use it along with the Toner. Takes a while to complete the cleansing process, having 3 steps (not including shaving; all the rinsing you must do!)

Genetics have proven to cause many skin related issues in my family. I can always find a handful of pimples on my face on any given day, no matter how many times I wash it or what products I use. I recently started using proactive because it is my last resort. I have tried many products and nothing cleared up my face well enough. Proactiv will do a pretty good job of clearing you up, if you can stick to the strict routine. I recently skipped a wash or two and I have 8 very noticeable pimples dotting my face. It's very frustrating...At the same time, however, when you use it correctly, the results are great. I have had days where I can't believe how amazing my skin looks. Ordering online sucks, because they charge your account every month (sometimes unexpectly) which seems rude and inconvenient for many people. I had to call and reschedule my shipping times because I do not use an extreme amount of the product, and don't want useless bottles of it lying around.
November 25, 2009

Pros:

See Below...

Cons:

Can't find one..

-All the ingredients are as pure as you can get. You can read the history and Ingredient background for the entire product: why it was chosen to be used, and why it works. -No Bad chemicals. -Cost: $27 or so for 2 months (I use more than average) -Large bottle size. -Expiration date given. -Exfoliates and Cleanses in one step. -Rarely get dry from this product if used properly and It keeps my skin 'clear and smooth.' I've personally (happily)used this product for over a year now. I'm not going to go off topic, but I guarantee each of you reading this, I've already tried more products/treatments for acne/premature aging than I'm sure you will in a lifetime. Being in the business, and having no affiliation with Carley's Clear & Smooth, I can tell you it consistently works best. Give it a try, You won't find better customer service.

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.