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
February 6, 2008

Pros:

Helps clear and prevent acne, no strong fragrance, relatively cheap, a little goes a long way

Cons:

Drying, doesn't lather much

I was using the purpose cleansing bar with great success but then cysts and pimples started appearing again about a month after I switched to a birth control method that doesn't help my acne problem. I knew I needed something stronger again so I got the panoxyl 10% bar which I remember using when I was younger. A few rubs of the soap on a wash cloth is just enough to cover my face, arms, chest, and back. It doesn't lather much so it's hard to tell but it does go a long way. In the couple weeks I've used this bar, my acne has started to clear up noticeably and I haven't gotten any new cysts. It does dry the skin but a little lotion fixes that.
February 5, 2008

Pros:

It works great

Cons:

none

I use Purpose cleansing gel then Dan's B.P. then Eucerin spf 15 facial lotion and my face has never looked better. I have not had a breakout since I started this regimine
February 5, 2008

Pros:

Feels good, doesn;t smell bad, easy to use, EFFECTIVE

Cons:

only thing is that if you do not get it 100% off, it will affect colored towels - no way around that though... just gotta make sure you get it all - around the hair line, behind teh ears, ect. the second wash with the natural soap helps this a lot

Boy was I pleasantly surprised! I had one spot of cystic acne that was the cause of the majority of my grief. My skin is not THAT bad, but there are spots and then there is an overall texture that in the wrong light makes me feel like it would be tough not to notice how textured and broken out my skin was. That one area of cystic acne had been present for over 15 years (yes, you read that right). It would come and go a bit, but never really go away... It has had me in the Emergency room to be lanced in really bad times, but since it is on my cheek, no Derm that I had visited seemed willing to actually remove it -which is what led to Accutane after a myriad of anti-biotics and meds that did nothing but give me a completely false sense of hope. I was not one of the people that saw immediate results with Carley's. Sure, my skin felt good and a nice new style of clean, but I was still pretty skeptical. Now,for the first time that I can remember that area of cystic acne is GONE!
February 5, 2008

Pros:

clears up existing/emerging acne

Cons:

with the wrong skin
wrong cleanser/ can make face a big red tomato
leaves acne scars

i use this product whenever i feel a pimple coming on it quickly recedes the pimple over the course of about 2 days and sometimes overnight
February 4, 2008

Pros:

It controls my acne pretty well. I still get break outs around my period, but I guess that cannot be helped. I really like the severe regimen with the retinol complex. That stuff feels really good on my face without being greasy.

Cons:

Bleaches clothing and towels, leaves my skin looking dead and dry.

I have been using this stuff for about four months. AcneFree is a little stronger than proactiv, and definately is cheaper. Proactiv did not work for me at all. I like that I can run out and buy a bottle of the cleanser if I run out of it. I did switch out toners though; I use Estee Lauder's toner with it instead. It sucks I have to get the toner to get the retinol renewal complex, but it is still much less expensive than other acne treatments. It is the most effective treatment I have used over the counter to date. It is not perfect, but when you have been dealing with acne as long as I have (ten years), you get used to it I suppose.
February 2, 2008

Pros:

Cost. Available at local drusgstores. Doesn't dry or burn my skin. Keeps away my chronic cystic acne!

Cons:

None. But, I do run out of cleanser way faster then the lotion of toner.

This product works very well. I am a 33 year old woman who suffers from chronic bouts of cystic acne, about 1-2 times a year (seasonal?). The cysts unfortunately form on my cheeks (yuck!). Since I began using this I have not had even one cyst! It has been about 4 months since I began using this. I used to take high dosages of minocycline - and although it also worked well, I wanted to get away form systemic antibiotics. This has proven to work well so far!!! However, my most severe breakouts usually occur in the Spring. I'll post an update...
February 2, 2008

Pros:

Clinique acne system worked great for me. As an athlete I have had pretty bad acne for about 3 years now. I recently tried clinique and it cleared acne around jaw, mouth and forehead. worked wonderful

Cons:

I use the Foam Cleanser, the bar of soap and toner and mosturizer everyday, and everything but the cleanser twice a day(as directed by assistants) made my face really really dry, checking with consultant today about it. i will give feedback

worked realy well, except dryness. i would highly recommend this to any athlete, the main thing the constultants told me was people who wear a foundation when wearing make up need to make sure to wash it off at night before you go to bed. **At night i used- 1. Foam Cleanser 2. Mild Bar of Clinique acne soap 3. Toner 4. Moisturizer **Morning i used- 1. Mild Bar of Clinique acne soap 2. Toner 3. Moisturizer
January 29, 2008

Pros:

None

Cons:

Too harsh on the skin. I have very oily skin and Proactive dries out the skin so badly that if you stop, the breakouts are 10x worse (according to my dermatologist).

Don't buy Proactive! For $60.00 you can purchase Dr. Murad's skin care system and it will last for almost 8 months!!! (Dr Murad's system can be purchased it salons) You will also get better results.....
January 29, 2008

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Dries out skin and causes flaking.
Seems to have very little effect at all, if anything I've been noticing more whiteheads since I started using.

It's a big three part treatment, The watery astringent-like bottle tends to run out sooner than the other two so you are left with two bottles (The grainy stuff and the lotion). I've been using it once daily during and after having a shower, and all it's seemed to have accomplished is drying out my face to the point where skin flakes off in some spots, I'd hate to see what would happen if I tried twice daily. I recently got my second months' shipment of Proactiv, if I don't see an improvement by the end of this month I'm trying something else.
January 28, 2008

Pros:

The cost

Cons:

A little drying

So far, it seems to be working pretty well. It has changed the texture of my skin. I do feel a little discomfort on my face, but its not overly annoying.

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.