Topical Antibiotic / Topical Antibacterial
Efficacy
58%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Topical Antibiotic / Topical Antibacterial
Side Effects
Low-Medium
Topical Antibiotic / Topical Antibacterial
Acne.org’s Real World Take
A more dangerous way of using benzoyl peroxide that studies show works a bit better than benzoyl peroxide alone. However, when used properly, benzoyl peroxide on its own can completely clear the skin without the addition of antibiotics.
Topical Antibiotic / Topical Antibacterial
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Erythromycin / Benzoyl Peroxide (Benzamycin®)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
August 11, 2012
Cons:
didnt help me long term to prevent pimples
good as a spot treatment.
May 8, 2012
Pros:
Combines both the strength of benzoyl peroxide and the antibiotic erythromycin.
Helped clear up the stubborn whiteheads on my nose.
Reduced the number of pimples on my face, but did nothing for my hormonal acne.
Overall, keeps my skin "under control" but I still hav acne. If you have stubborn, hormonal or genetic acne, this won't be a cure.
Less harsh than Retin-A.
More effective than plain BP.
Cons:
Difficult to blend into the skin.
Leaves a visible white residue on the skin which tends to flake off like Elmer's glue.
Can be a bit harsh for those with sensitive skin.
Expensive even with insurance.
I've had acne since middle school and I'm now in my early twenties. My pimples tend to be concentrated on my cheeks, whereas my T-zone is not as bad. While this product does reduce my acne, but I still always have a couple pimples, and more during my time of month. My Benzamycin came in little one-use packets (like ketchup packets). It smells like rubbing alcohol and can take a while to get used to. You have to blend quickly since it dries so fast. It leaves a visible white, flaky residue on the skin, which will flake off and make it look like your face has dried glue all over it. This makes it impossible to use during the day, but it's fine at night. I have oily skin which has grown used to this product, but if your skin is more sensitive, this might be a little harsh for you. Start off slow, and then build up. The best part about this is that my nose whiteheads are pretty much all gone, which has never happened before. However, my larger pimples are still there. If you looked at me, you would think that I was still a "moderate acne sufferer." This has helped my skin, but certainly hasn't cleared it.
March 10, 2012
Pros:
clears acne
Cons:
very drying
bleaches clothes/towels
sensitive to the sun
I use it every morning after washing my face with Purpose cleanser. Last time I had this it was working wonders and all of a sudden stopped working. Finally after using it for 2 months and nothing was happening, I decided to look at the label and it needed to be refrigerated. So now, I got a new prescription and it is working wonderfully :)
November 2, 2011
Pros:
Works every fast
Pretty cheap for the result with insurance
Cons:
Not very much
Stings a bit
Very dry, flaky, clumpy texture
Worked amazingly. It was gone in a week. It's pretty drying, even for my very oily skin. It makes you prone to sun damage, but just wear sunscreen. It's not for people with dry or sensitive, skin, as it's very harsh. If your skin can take it, I highly suggest this, since it's not too expensive if insurance covers it. Warning: don't over apply!
October 7, 2011
Pros:
Extremely fast acting
Not too harsh compared to Tazorac
Cons:
Gel Consistency
Not as easy to apply
Requires to be refrigerated
I highly recommend this medication. I was on Clindamycin tablets for a while and eventually became ineffective as I started breaking out. I would say that I have light to moderate acne. I've only been using Benzamycin for three days and the effectiveness of this medication is extremely fast. I expected all of the side effects such as the dreading flaking of the dead skin. So far, I had very, very minimal flaking and can be controlled by adding Jojoba oil to my Cetaphil moisturizer. I was also on Tazorac gel years ago, which caused extreme dryness, redness and flaking of the skin but it was effective after the new skin showed. However, this is most likely due to the moderate to high amount of the Tazorac gel I was applying causing the side effects. I would suggest that when applying the Benzamycin gel, please use it lightly and as described in "how to use", a pea size amount of the gel is enough to cover the entire face but will need about a quarter of a pea size more if needed for the neck area. A pea size amount can really go a long way if properly used. You can also tell when you applied too much if you see a white film residue on your face after you apply the gel. As I mentioned, I've only been on this medication for three days (applied only at night) and eliminated almost all of my pimples. I only have about 3 pimples left for the medication to dry out. I've also noticed one pimple that surfaced yesterday that's already starting to dry out. This type of pimple would normally linger for about a week or so, but now I will say that it should be gone by tomorrow or the next. This medication did not make me break out so far and I don't anticipate for it to do so. If it does, I'm confident that the medication will dry it out fast. This medication has worked for ME and may not have the same effect for others but this is certainly worth a try if you're looking for acne cure or control. Dan's regimen has also provided me with plenty of tips so make sure you fol
September 25, 2011
Pros:
I just used this product a few hours ago, and my acne is already clearing up. And insurance paid for it.
Cons:
It's very irritable, but I feel like that means it works...
I don't care what people say, the products that work best are the ones that dry your skin up. And that's what this does. I always thought the only way to get clear skin is through oral antibiotics but this product proved me wrong...
August 22, 2011
Pros:
Pimples do fade and clears large areas of pimples.
Cons:
Doesn't really work on black heads.
My doctor gave me this about almost a year ago and still have pimples that are reducing. If you skip a day, the pimples will come back.
July 8, 2011
Pros:
Seemed to help existing acne fade away quicker. Especially worked well on drying out big nasty pimples.
Cons:
Extremely drying and caused my skin to become red,itchy, and burned after several days of use. I moisturized 2 times a day with cetaphil as well and my skin still could not handle this medication. I even tried only using this medication once a day and it still severely irritated my skin to the point that I had to stop taking it.
If you are sensitive to benzoyl peroxide I would be very hesitant to use this. Try it to see if you can handle it, but be careful as it can be extremely irritatin
If you are sensitve to benzoyl peroxide then this is not the medication for you in all likelihood. Maybe if your skin is tough and isn't bothered by BP this could work for you, but for me it was a nightmare. Also, nearly impossible to use in the morning. It leaves a white sticky residue behind. It doesn't matter how well you rub it in or if you apply moisturizer on top of it. The residue left behind will still be visible and is very noticeable. It is like chunks of gluestick stuck to your face. I cannot see how anyone could use this in the morning if they needed to go out. Also, I had the type that is premixed and needs to be refrigerated. This can be very annoying, especially if you share a bathroom and have to keep traveling back and forth to the kitchen when you use this.
June 1, 2011
Pros:
-Soothing to the skin
-No side effects (just stay out of the sun)
-Works relatively quickly
Cons:
-Tiny container
-Feels a little uncomfortable when dried
-Bleaches clothing and takes effort to wash off
I really liked this product, it works pretty quick and soothed my acne and reduced it greatly, the key is to use it but not OVERUSE it, only twice per day max and to the areas that are affected by acne, the only problem was that the container was tiny and it ran out pretty quick and is expensive to purchase.
April 28, 2011
Pros:
-Soothing/cooling to the skin at contact (due to refrigeration)
-Works fast
-Low (or no) copay if insurance covers it :)
Cons:
-Drying (depends on skin type)
-Chunky feel makes it a little weird to use
-Doesn't create a smooth surface if you apply under make up :(
-Needs to be refrigerated
For some reason after having acne since I was 14 (now im 21) it's the first time I have been introduced to this product by new physician and im glad she did! I LOVE IT! Im not consistent with it but when I have a flare-OMG this is a life savor. Like I said it feels good when you put it on if your breaking out because it has to be refrigerated but it works! In two days my flare up was more than half cleared up! When I'm consistent with it it helps from cystic acne from returning.
I would DEFINITELY recommend this!
Pros:
dries out acne