Benzac AC : Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5%) Gel

Lasts me about 4 months so it doesn't really cost that much (I just ran out of my 2nd tube)... $15 every 4 months isn't that bad, actually pretty cheap.

Benzoyl peroxide is the devil. It is quite potent as an antibacterial which is why it may clear up acne for some individuals (and granted it doesn't lead to antibiotic resistance). However, the way it works is damaging to the skin- it produces free radicals which will kill bacteria but will also damage your own skin cells! This will lead to inflammation, irritating your skin and preventing it from functioning smoothly, and build up of dead materials inside your skin which contribute further to comedogenic acne and breakouts. Free radical damage can also contribute to premature aging and promotes acne scarring- nobody wants that. I used benzac for a couple of months and while it did sort of help my superficial breakouts (whiteheads etc) it didn't do anything for deeper cysts. My skin was constantly dry and peeling, and my complexion was very dull and discoloured. I was also left with scarring and pigmentation from even the smallest blemishes, which didn't happen previously. So even when I didn't have any breakouts I wasn't comfortable without makeup due to pigmentation, scarring and a strange, dull, brownish complexion. In addition to this I developed forehead lines real quick- I'm only 19! I started using retin-a and when I used benzac with this it was extremely painful and my face basically peeled away (tretinoin cream is fabulous stuff without using benzac with it!!) I'm studying medicine and the fact that derms recommend this product makes me angry- it's really not healthy for your face in the short or long term. Switch to another antibacterial agent such as azelaic acid (brand is az-clear or finacea)!! Azelaic acid is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and is equal to benzoyl peroxide in its antibacterial effect. Due to reducing inflammation it will prevent scarring and post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation. It also reduces pigmentation and sun damage. Until I used this I didn't believe that it was possible to make up-and-coming breakouts disappear overnight- but this stuff literally does. You can use it in a smaller amount all over your face (I do this ever morning) or just smear a thicker layer over a spot and pain will disappear and it shrinks down real quick!! It also works well with retin-a/stieva- reduced my peeling. Just don't put them on at the same time as they do not work in a synergistic manner- use one in the morning and one at night. For reference: Schulte BC, Wu W, Rosen T. Azelaic acid: evidence-based update on mechanism of action and clinical application. J Drugs Dermatology. 2015;14(9):694-698. (find on pubmed) In saying all this, acne is usually a result of internal imbalances and will never be 100% cured by topical treatments- check your diet for foods that may be promoting internal inflammation and overgrowth of unwanted bacteria and parasites or creating pH imbalances. Eat your 2 & 5 and do some research. I haven't had a breakout in months (as long as I stick to a plant based diet high in healthy fats and veggies) and my face legit glows.

i was on my 3rd year highschool when pimples bursts out on my face. i tried ProActiv, Defensil, Clean&Clear but nothing works. Most of all, I regret using The Body Shop tea tree line coz it makes my face so horrible, pimples all over. ughh. And now i'm on my 3rd year college, wow! Im still have pimples. So sad :( I'm actually a girl who's so shy in many people, i'm always on our house. but when I discovered this benzac gel I purchased it and after 2 months i know my face is getting better than before. I'm only on my 2nd month so i have to wait until 6 months maybe if my face improves already. For people who suffers from acne, cheer up! There is more than on our skin, acne will fade in time. Just be patient :)

I have had moderate to severe acne for years, but this product and the regimen have pretty much cured my acne that has plagued my skin. I VERY rarely get cystic acne anymore and it has cleared up all my problem areas. I have never before been able to properly use scar reducing treatments without the risk of irritating any acne, but now I can, because there is none =].

I've been using this for 16 days and my cysts are still there 😭 Should I stop or should I keep using it?

I had acne for yeas and them my dermatologist sugested I use this and I thought, oh yeah another treatment. I started applying it and for the first few days my sking was little red then my Acne cleared. the plugs dissapeared and acne reduced completely. Try it atleast for 2 weeks before deciding

I've been using BP for about 8 years on and off, and have used many brands and my usual brand '˜mary kay' began to be a bit too harsh on my skin so I looked for something that was a bit lighter so read about this one and decided to try it out. I found it much easier to apply and spread over my face and neck than most the others and after a small breakout when first using my skin is now 95% clear. I use this product once a day before I go to bed after I have cleansed my skin with Neutrogena rapid clear wipes and Neutrogena oil free SPF 15 moisturiser in the daytime because I live in Australia and the sun is very harsh. I don't use any other washes or soaps except water as everything I have tried encourages breakouts......but even using BP I still enjoy my weekends in the sun on the beach with a SPF 30 spray and this is one of the only BP that doesn't make sunlight feel like its burning my face, although If I have been out in the sun I will not use it that evening!!

before this i have really bad acne which to sometimes make me lock myself in my room, wont social around with friend until i miss my brother wedding due to acne problem, my self confident drop significantly since before this i have just a normal skin and little breakout sometimes. sometimes when i look into mirror i feel like crying and screaming inside my heart... until 1 day i read on internet on benzyl peroxide particularly in acne.org... but in Malaysia, the product not sale here.. so to replace it i try benzac ac 2.5%.. why i cjoose 2.5% because on rivew and researc in acne.org... they suggest to use 2.5%.. then i buy it on local pharmacy.... now.. my face much more and more clearer... with just only breakout sometimes.. not like before... everyday when i woke up,,, there must be a new breakout onto my face... for my cleanser, i use cethapill oily skin clenaser... this help me a lot.. i also prescribe accutane .. i get it from my dermatologist since it is a control drug... i feel happy now

If you are new to benzoyl peroxide or have sensitive skin then this is probably the best choice when it comes to benzoyl peroxide. Some people's skin can't handle it at all but if your skin can take it then it works wonders and gets you clear quick. You can find it on ebay.

Been using it for 2 weeks. I have whitehead sort of acne on my forehead. In the first week my skin was irritated, red, flaky and horrible. In the second week it improved though. When I used it with tea tree face wash it made it more irritated. I washed my face USING nivea moisturiser, or any moisturiser, and it made it not flaky. The doctor said results would come in 4 to 8 weeks so patience is key. It got rid of my whiteheads but i have acne scars. I have had this forehead acne for 4 years and it was my first time going to the doctors about it. Also it doesn't cause wrinkles it just makes lines that you already have more visible. After you stop using it your skin will go back to normal. Hope this helped. x PS use suncream when using this product.