Erythromycin / Benzoyl Peroxide (Benzamycin®)
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Often known by its brand name Benzamycin®, this topical treatment is a combination of erythromycin, which is a topical antibiotic that helps slow...

Often known by its brand name Benzamycin®, this topical treatment is a combination of erythromycin, which is a topical antibiotic that helps slow or stop bacteria growth and reduce skin inflammation, and benzoyl peroxide, which kills acne bacteria and dries/peels the skin.

It is usually applied 2 times a day.

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3.9
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5
38.1%
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28.1%
3
26.6%
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5%
1
2.2%

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October 28, 2014
Works but can be very drying.
Takes time but eventually I did see some improvement, however, the drying side effects were to harsh for me so I switched to a different BP product. I don't know how anyone could use this without a moisturizer. One tip I would give anyone is to make sure your Pharmacist mixes it properly because they screw it up 90% of the time. If they mix it properly it should NOT be chunky. As soon as they hand it to you open it up and check it out because if it is not a smooth paste but has chunks of white stuff in it then they did not follow the directions and did it wrong. HAVE THEM REDO IT. I had to do this several times and I imagine they just don't read the instructions properly but you should not have to deal with it-make them do it right.
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February 4, 2013

Pros:

Clears acne and blackheads.

Cons:

Smells awful.
Causes some drying of the skin.
Feels like your face has slime on it when you take a shower.

People, DON'T quit using your medication after the first month just because you don't see progress. It can take months to see results and it will be slow. I hate to burst your bubble but nothing is going to work overnight and you could be missing out on what really would help by just being impatient. That being said, this product is great. I've been on it for two months and the difference is astounding. It's even clearing out my blackheads. My skin hasn't been this clear since Junior High!
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Sunny941
March 20, 2016
Good advice!
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Sunny941
March 20, 2016
Good advice!
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Sunny941
March 20, 2016
Good advice!
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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
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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.
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November 29, 2010

Pros:

Works

Cons:

Prescription required
Refrigerated cream that expires
A little big drying

This was my favorite prescription product. It's not as convenient that it has to be refrigerated, but it did give a nice cooling feeling on achy broken skin. I would have kept using it if my acne weren't so severe. I had acute cystic scarring acne all over my face, neck, chest, and back and it wasn't quite strong enough. I would recommend it for people with moderate acne and good health insurance.
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August 17, 2010

Pros:

works beautifully for my skin
apply every night
low cost with insurance
one jar lasts a long time

Cons:

bleaches clothing, bedding, towels
has to be refrigerated
cannot easily travel with it
leaves a white film on your skin

Freakin awesome stuff. I first got acne in 5th grade so my pediatrician prescribed Benzamycin topical gel. It worked fast for me ( a week) and kept bad break-outs away. It is drying but did not make my face peel or flake. Its the only thing I have ever used on my face (im 25 now) It has a lot of cons but its worth it.
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February 5, 2010

Pros:

Cleared my skin (I only have moderate acne, so I can't say how well it would work on someone whose condition is worse)

Cons:

Takes a good 5-6 weeks at minimum to see real results
Drying/Leaves residue behind
Expensive without insurance

Sooo...I definitely jumped the gun on writing a review for this stuff the first time around. I wrote my last review on day 3 after I was amazed at the rate my face was clearing up. I spoke too soon though because for the entire month of January I experienced breakouts. It was frustrating, and I considered trying other options, but even then the breakouts were clearing quicker than usual and were becoming less and less frequent. I'm now on week 6 and I haven't gotten a breakout in over a week (FINGERS CROSSED). My face has generally cleared up and now I can focus on getting rid of a few nasty red marks left behind. Bottom Line: don't get discouraged when you first start taking this if you don't see quick or immediate results. The idea of a quick-fix for acne is a fantasy. Any topical or pill you take is going to take at least a month in order to see improvement. Having said that, if you plan on taking benzamycin....USE MOISTURIZER.
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September 29, 2009

Pros:

Works quickly. A small amount does a lot of work. The coolness of the creme feels nice when applying. Attacks pimples and prevents acne from appearing at problematic spots.

Cons:

Can turn your face red from irritation (caused by dryness). If you don't wait enough time after washing the face, and applying the medication, you risk getting very white flaky spots on face. Increase sun sensitivity. Bleaches fabrics and hair.

Very good product. I don't know how long it works for, or if my skin will become immune to the medication. It dried out some ugly spots within 4 days. I was in a bad state and used it in conjunction with Bactrim DS (known is Israel as Depsyl Forte and is not at all supposed to be used for acne, but it works VERY well), which is also a great drug, but again I don't known it's long-term implications. This regimine is keeping me so clear, its amazing, but for me it is just buying me time before I decide to go on Racutane.
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September 29, 2009

Pros:

It helps clear break up sooner. If used regularly it also prevents break ups. It works better than any over the counter productI have ever used.

Cons:

There are occasional breakthough breakouts. Also as everyone else mentioned it leaves chalky white later sometimes, and stains fabric (such as pillow cases).

It is a good product that works well. Like everything else it has a downside, but if you have chronic acne it is a very useful product in fighting it.
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September 18, 2009

Pros:

Speeds up the clearing of breakouts. It takes a little while to kick in, but once it does, breakouts get cleared in a matter of days.

Cons:

Sometimes leaves white, chalk-like remnants on the face after application, despite how well it was mixed. Dries out skin a bit and bleaches fabric (ahh my pillow cases!)

I initially tried using this last year- once in the morning and once at night, but I found that it dried out my skin too much and gave up. A few months later, I found myself breaking out due to stress, and found the paks that I had left untouched. Within a day my acne was reduced, and was gone by the end of the week. I've been using this ever since, but only at night. However: 1. I still break out, though not as badly- and it does go away quickly 2. Any redness/irritation left from previous breakouts remain for a while 3. Skin texture doesn't improve much 4. I use it at night, and I guess it bleached my pillow case =/ Overall, it does its job but I wouldn't go as far as to say it's God's gift to those who suffer from acne. In all fairness though, it's a pretty good product and tackles those pimples.
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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.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

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.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website