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
January 28, 2008

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Will dry out skin and will cause more breakouts such a waste of money.

Do NOT buy it.
January 27, 2008

Pros:

- smells quiet good
- after about a month, redness went down and a couple of pimples

Cons:

- caused new breakouts between uses
- one bottle will run out eventually, so your left with 2 which is unequal and won't work
-

i suppose it really depends on your skin it will work for such white heads but no for severe, spots / scars and such
January 27, 2008

Pros:

feels good :)

Cons:

none

It's working! My skin doesn't even feel really that dry. It's clearing up! yayy!
January 26, 2008

Pros:

Works for some people

Cons:

Only cleared the acne from my nose and forehead. My chin and cheeks got worse.

It doesn't do all that it says it does for everyone. I've got friends that it works great for, but not me.
January 25, 2008

Pros:

Clears up acne very well after about 2 months of using it consistently, if you continue the steps, your skin will stay clear.

Cons:

it only worked for me for about 2 years, after that my acne came back full blown and the only thing that Proactive did was dry out my skin terribly.

proActiv worked extremely well for me for the first 2 years as long as I used it consistently and did all 3 steps. For the 3rd year however proActive has not worked and my Acne has gotten bad. I have continued using it through the year hoping that it would start to work again but i realized that it was just making my skin worse. I stopped cold turkey and my skin cleared beautifully for 3 glorious weeks. Unfortunatly, my acne has returned to plague me.
January 23, 2008

Pros:

got rid of any spots i had

Cons:

burnt my face off?! literally felt like sunburn, at which point i stopped using it

good for spots, recks the skin and makes it sore
January 23, 2008

Pros:

It smells good and rinses off clean. Does not leave any film on your skin.

Cons:

A little over-drying

I used this for about a month and it worked great at first then I started to breakout again! I honestly think though that was because it was drying my skin out and I was not using the proper kind of moisturizer..I think the kind I was using clogged my pores and caused further breakouts. Overall though as long as your skin isn't too sensitive you should be fine.
January 21, 2008

Pros:

I tried everything out there, from proactiv to clearasil and THIS STUFF WORKS. I like how you can chew the tablets because I hate swallowing them. I have been using this for two weeks and i can see a difference. My skin is smoother!

Cons:

It dries out my face, but that's what lotion's for ;)

IT REALLY WORKS!
January 21, 2008

Pros:

really exfoliates

Cons:

hard to find &expensive fo 28 pads

Would be your best bet for stubborn acne
January 21, 2008

Pros:

Packaged nicely, about it...

Cons:

Causes breakouts, creates stiff feeling, irritates, doesn't work

Kinda sad, i was using St. Ives SA scrub and Proactiv's BP lotion thing and it was working well but drying my skin so I switched to this nicely packaged box... I broke out in the worst spots, after a week of just terrible breakouts, i dumbed this crap. As a warning, it worked well on the first day, but then the following days just showed an opposite effect. avoid switching ur regimen to this.

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.