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 17, 2009

Pros:

I've been using this product my whole teenage years and it works wonders!

Cons:

Dries out your skin, but there's lotion people!!!!

love it! buy it! use it!
May 15, 2009

Pros:

Great speed, well packed, surprise samples, wonderful stuff. I will be back

Cons:

can't think of anything

love it
May 14, 2009

Pros:

Both cleanser and moisturizer are mild and have a nice consistency as well as a gentle scent.

Cons:

Toner is 90% alcohol. While it may have a good wham-bam effect on acne, it will hurt your skin in the long-run. Moisturizer is a bit weak to combat with the dryness so you will probably have to get a stronger one.

My sister had purchased this last year, and being the sneaky thief I am, I used it as well. Both of us agreed that it was a decent system but definitely did nothing for our skins. The toner felt nice and tingly, but I felt uncomfortable putting so much alcohol on my skin. I noticed that after I had gotten off of the system the skin between my eyebrows became incredibly dry and flaky, and I had some breakouts along my eyebrows. The price definitely outweighs the results in my opinion.
May 8, 2009

Pros:

The product works dramatically well. The pills dont taste bad and dont cause sun sensitivity as other acne pills do so.

Cons:

The fist time i used the acne vanishing cream my eyes usually got watery, but that is only because the cream contains 5% Benzoyl Peroxide which is a high percent and will help remove you acne faster.

What is great about this product is that it is afordable easy to use and comes with an acne vanish cream. At first when i had bought the product i thought that it wouldn't really work since i had tried other products before.After Two weeks half of my acne disappeared. I discontinued usage after about 6 months since my acne wasn't that severe and barely noticeable. But now that i have seen a little bit of acne on my skin i have again began to use it and just after a week my skin is clearer.
May 8, 2009

Pros:

One of the best products I've found

Cons:

Still wasn't the acne "cure" I was looking for.
Bleaches EVERYTHING...towels, pillowcases, the collars of my shirts...

There are a couple other products that work just as well but are cheaper and don't bleach everything you own.
May 6, 2009

Pros:

Works really well if consistent

Cons:

very expensive and a moisturizer is need for this produce otherwise your face will be extremely dry.

If you use it properly and consistently twice a day...it will work. However of course like many other products, it doesn't work for everyone especially for those who maybe allergic to the product. I think it depends on the person so you really can't rely on everyone's judgment on this product.....unless evvvverrrryyyoneee says the same thing.
May 4, 2009

Pros:

It is affordable. You get alot for the money. Free samples.

Cons:

It broke my daughter out terribly. Worse than before she started. We kept with it for over a month. Did exactly how they instruct to use it. But each week she kept getting worse. More acne in places she didn't used to get it.

It may work for some. But my daughter is a young teen and it did not work for her. We even got the Kick A** Teen Formula. We are still trying to heal what this has done to her face. It is affordable and read so many great reviews but I guess everyone is different. Maybe it is better for adult acne? I am thinking that the exfoliating everyday really irritated her skin, even when done gently. She used it over a month, some say you need to keep at it for up to three months. Well I could not put my daughter through that. Crying everynight because of her face. She had to face the cruel remarks of middle school kids daily.
May 4, 2009

Pros:

-Works WONDERS for my skin, which is super sensitive and very acne prone.

Cons:

-tends to bleach everything, so you really have to be careful when using this and make sure you don't touch anything else with this stuff on your hands until you wash them very well.

-Also, somewhat drying, but I can live with that!!!

I LOVE this without a doubt. I have tried every acne product under the sun, seriously. I have tried Clinique's 3 Step SKin care line, Acne-free, Proactiv, prescriptions, Clean and Clear, Dermalogica, PCA Skin care, and hundreds more. I seriously cannot believe this whole time I could have had clear skin if only I tried OXY!!! I love the OXY Maximum strength wash. I am kicking myself right now for not using this sooner because it really does work. I suffered all through junior high and high school with acne, spent so much time crying from looking at myself in the mirror, and I wish I could have known about this face wash then, it really would have saved me from missing out on dances, etc...just because I was embarrassed of my skin. Please, please try this OXy face wash. Please learn from my experience and at least try this out. I have also used the OXY spot treatment (which works OK, but not as good as this face wash).
May 4, 2009

Pros:

AMAZING! WORKS IN AS LITTLE AS TWO DAYS!! your not supposed to put big amounts of it oon ur face or else it will get dry, but put it on lightly and works great!!!

Cons:

bleaches clothes

IT'S GREAT!!
May 4, 2009

Pros:

the carley's system works better for me than anything else. i have very sensitive skin, and somewhat dry, and although the acne is not completely gone, it has waned. the best part are the moisturizers. i love all of them.

Cons:

it's kind of a process, with the washing, then the scrub, then scrubbing with the soap and a washcloth. but it's not that big of a deal. and use old washcloths, because the clean and smooth with bleach them. but that is manageable as well.

fantastic products, environmentally friendly company, really fast shipping with lots of samples, doesn't dry out your skin and very economical.

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.