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
October 28, 2008

Pros:

I used AcneFree at two different times. First I used it a couple of years ago and it worked for a little, and it was good priced. Then used it again recently, and it worked okay, but slow.

Cons:

First time: My skin got used to it, wasn't consistant, when came off of it, got more pimples.
2nd time: not many problems, both: slow
bottles are different proportions, and ran out of different ones at diff. times.

I recommend this for people who don't have much acne. It worked too slow, and my skin got too dependent, and it started to get resistant to the substance. It was fairly easy to use, and smelt nice. A good price. I wouldn't really use that much again, maybe if I had like very little acne.
October 27, 2008

Pros:

inno why everyone is s negatve, ivehad horrble acne for years, since i was real litte. had scars that would never go away and after using proactiv for only 1 week was skin as better than it was in years. everyone noticed a difference

Cons:

litte time consuming but nothing too ad

f**kin works
October 23, 2008

Pros:

It dries up acne, keeps skin from getting too oily. its really cheap

Cons:

Can cause redness and peeling.

Good product for the price. I use it at night and by morning my face looks a lot better despite the dryness. It should be used with a moisturizer.
October 23, 2008

Pros:

Eliminated 95% of my acne within 1 week. Skin feels softer then ever now!!

Cons:

Does dry out face a little, but with a good moisturizer, it's easy to keep soft and smooth!

Works great, I'm so excited to have smooth skin again. I've always had large pores and bad blackheads. I feel 10 years younger now!! Love it! I didn't buy mine through the proactiv company. Check on [link removed], you can get much larger quantities for the same price as on [link removed]. I get 6 ounces of the cleanser and toner, 3.5 ounces of repairing lotion, 16 ounces of the deep cleansing body wash, and 2.5 ounces of the refining mask on auto delivery for only $49.68! At proactiv you would only get 4 ounces and no body wash for that price!! I'm hooked!
October 22, 2008

Pros:

None

Cons:

Felt like my face was burning off and i only used a tiny bit on my chin and forehead. My face was red, swollen and irriated. Its been 5 days since i put it on ONE time and my face is still itching, dried out and feels like lizard skin its so rough.

I would not get this product EVER again.
October 22, 2008

Pros:

prevent pimples from growing. get rid of oily face. for the first few days of using it, i already notice the difference. though the acne scars are still visible but at least no more cysts.

Cons:

it dries the skin. if you don't use some good moisturizer, your skin especially at the side of the mouth started to peel. follow some moisturizer after using it.

i recommend this product if u are not allergic to benzoyl peroxide. there's nothing wrong if you try. in the first place it is best value for your money unlike those expensive products which do nothing to your face aside from aggravating your acne more.
October 21, 2008

Pros:

the sensitive toner was nice, no benz or salicylic but Proactiv won't sell that item alone

Cons:

regular and sensitive caused my skin to be dry and flaky; doesn't eliminate breakouts

too expensive and hard to obtain the sensitive line. Company wants you to join club and get whole box of stuff when only one of their products is any good.
October 19, 2008

Pros:

-Not too expensive

Cons:

-Extremely gritty lotion. It made my skin much more irritated than anything I've ever used
-Cleaner was too soapy and didn't have enough exfoliating beads

Yes, it is a cheap alternative to Proactiv, but just remember, you get what you pay for. I never saw any difference in using AcneFree.
October 19, 2008

Pros:

Works great for a few years. The first time I used it at age 16 it cleared up my moderate almost overnight, literally. It was amazing.

Cons:

Incredibly expensive. Works only if you continue to use it.

I think this is a good product but you can't stop using it. It worked amazingly for me for 2 years. Once I stopped for 2 years and started again it never worked the same way. It is just so expensive. Overall, though, it has been the best product I have used for my moderate acne which it still a daily issue for me. If you can afford continual use I recommend it.
October 17, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up pimples on my face (even though I was really red for a little while after every use)when using it twice a day. I liked how I could switch my monthly supply to every other month since I wasn't using it up as fast.

Cons:

Dried out my skin when using it two times a day within 2 weeks of using it, I even went to one use a day yet it wasn't as effective in keeping the pimples away. Doesn't clean the makeup off of my face. It's expensive.

It worked at first for me, but than I'd breakout and dry out my face. When I would exercise (no makeup on) I always tingled and broke out in a rash. I would recommend trying it at least to see if it works for you.

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.