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 20, 2008

Pros:

none

Cons:

made my skin greasy, oily feeling and yet once all the oil was off my skin was dry, it didn't clean my skin, it made it peel, made it red

this stuff just did NOT agree with my skin. I wouldn't tell you not to buy it because we all have different skin types and textures but I really did not like it. It wasn't worth my money but it may work great for you. I have oily,combination skin. Whiteheads, blackheads, and lots of tiny bumps and it didn't work much for me. I used it for 1 month and a half.
January 20, 2008

Pros:

works well totatly clear skin:) i love their products

Cons:

unfortunately it makes my face red and can bleach clothes

its worth it to some extent i believe they should make larger bottles if they didn't spend the 4 million dollars on paying celebrities to do infomercials they could focus on acne research and product enhancement :)
January 20, 2008

Pros:

Made my skin very soft. It also made it feel clean.

Cons:

I was sort of expensive.

It will make you look very butiful, or hansome. It will make you feel good about yourself too.
January 20, 2008

Pros:

starts working after first use, simple 3 step program, not overly drying, smells pleasant and works well under sunscreen.

Cons:

only con i can think of is that the toner may run out faster than the wash and repair lotion.

AcneFree works. it just does. ive tried proactiv and it was an utter failure, marring my face and leaving oil slicks wherever i applied the repair lotion. accutane works best, of course, but for aftercare, AcneFree is perfect. controls oil to keep away that pesky shine and my skin has only ever looked this clear during my accutane days. in my opinion, this is the end all best combination product out there. its affordable, long lasting and above all...it works!!!
January 19, 2008

Pros:

This works! Doesn't have an awful odor

Cons:

A bit runny. Also ran out of cleanser before toner and acne repair lotion.

Definately a must buy for those with mild or moderate acne. Didn't dry out my skin. Please keep using. Do not give up on it if you do not see results right away. My skin got worse before it got better. I have been using for 2 weeks and am down to only 2 small blemishes which are clearing up at this point.
January 17, 2008

Cons:

Did not see any change to my skin...good or bad.

It didn't work for me and I would recommend Sodium Sulfacetamide.
January 15, 2008

Pros:

can help remove acne when you first start using it.

Cons:

Makes skin amazingly dry and moisturizing worsens results.
Makes acne worse!

So I had some acne, nothing serious, and my dad out of the blue gives me some Clearasil Ultra, I used it and ya my acne cleared up a bit. It got to a point when my acne was quite minimal, but then it stayed the. Then My forehead started to become really red and I started getting a bunch of small pimples all over. now I have a bunch of red dots every where, my forehead is glowing red, and as soon as I forget to use it for a day I get a break out. So screw u Clearasil, I'm stopping now and going for some TCM/acupuncture next week. Oh and I'm now using baking soda mixed with water and honey... showed better results in the last day then Clearasil has in a month, and it dries the skin less.
January 15, 2008

Pros:

I liked the scent of the product

Cons:

This did not work well for me.

I applied this product twice. I have very little acne but suffer from rosacea. When I woke up the following morning after using it at night my face was a huge mess. Pea size acne was all over my face it was dry and itchy. I used this product December 26th 2007 and my face is still a mess today january 15th. They did refund my money and sent me a product made from botanicals which I did not use. My face is a mess, I wish i never used it.
January 15, 2008

Pros:

it works

Cons:

none really

its great i was a pimply git until i used this stuff as directed, twice daily. slowly but surely my horrible acne dissappeared. now i get the occasional tiny pimles but i hit em with proactiv. only need to use the prcess every three days or so now, but i do use a bit of cleanser nearly every time i shower.
January 14, 2008

Pros:

Works good and fast.

Cons:

Kind of stinks.
After a while stops working.
There's better products for way less.

You'd be better off trying clean and clear. ProActiv is good for clearing up your face fast, like emergency use, but after a few months i guess your skin gets immune to it and it stops working.It's not worth all the money you pay for it either. 'Clean and Clear' works wonders and its cheaper.

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.