Fortunately, there are a range of treatment options – both prescription and over-the-counter—that can help. Benzoyl peroxide is an ingredient found in many effective and popular products used to treat acne. Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
Benzoyl peroxide products dermatologist recommend
We asked some dermatologists about the benzoyl peroxide products they frequently suggest for people with acne. Here are their recommendations.
1. CeraVe Acne Foaming Face Wash Cream Cleanser - $13.27
“This cleanser contains 4% benzoyl peroxide, making it a great option for acne-prone skin, treating both existing breakouts and also working to prevent new ones from forming,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist. “It also contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help support the skin barrier, and hydrate and soothe the skin, so it leaves the skin feeling comfortable and hydrated. It can be used 1-2 times daily but it’s best to start by using just once per day and gradually increase only if needed and tolerated.”
2. PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 4% Daily Control - $11.99
“This is my most recommended benzoyl peroxide cleanser,” says Dr. Brian Toy, board-certified dermatologist with Providence Mission Hospital in Orange County, California, and a Clinical Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. “Benzoyl peroxide can be inherently irritating to the skin. This product, however, is gentle enough for sensitive skin and has a mild foaming action suited for daily use.”
3. Humane Regular Strength Acne Wash - $21.95
“This creamy benzoyl peroxide 5% cleanser helps to reduce bacteria and inflammation without leading to antibacterial resistance,” says Dr. Garshick. “It can also be used on the face or body including the chest, back or buttocks. It is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, paraffin, formaldehyde, mineral oil and synthetic fragrance, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin.”
4. Facet Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Wash - $16
The company’s products “not only clear existing breakouts, but also help reduce future breakouts,” says Dr. Peter Young, Medical Director,Facet. He notes that this wash can be used on the face and trunk, making it a good option for acne on the torso.
5. PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Maximum Strength - $11.99
Here’s another offering from PanOxyl that gets high marks from dermatologists. “This is the strongest you can get over-the-counter,” notes Dr. Cybele Fishman, board-certified dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology, PC. “Benzoyl peroxide cleansers are good for body acne as you don’t have to worry about the bleaching effect as you wash it off. It also comes in a bar soap if you prefer that to a liquid cleanser. I like this because it is inexpensive – and you want that for treating a large area.”
6. Glossier Zit Stick - $14
“This product contains both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to fight bacteria and help to keep pores clear,” says Dr. Rebecca Marcus, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maei MD. “Due to its portable packaging, it’s great for using as a spot treatment on the go.”
7. Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask - $7.49
“This product can be used in two ways – as a daily face cleanser or as a face mask,” says Dr. Toy. “A face mask is particularly useful for patients with excessively oily skin. To use as a mask, this product should be applied evenly over the entire face and allowed to dry for up to five minutes. It can then be rinsed off with water.”
8. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment - $30.99
Almost every dermatologist we consulted had this treatment from La Roche-Posay high on their list of recommendations. “It combines benzoyl peroxide with lipo-hydroxy acids to fight bacteria and unclog pores,” says Dr. Marcus. “It can be used all over the face for acne prevention, or as a spot treatment when blemishes pop up.”
9. Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment - $7.12
“This spot treatment uses 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to help fight breakouts by helping to eliminate acne-causing bacteria without being too harsh or irritating on the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “It is a lightweight formula that absorbs easily and is non-comedogenic, so it won’t trigger additional breakouts. Additionally, a little goes a long way so even though it is designed to be a spot treatment, a little dab is all that is needed.”
10. Paula’s Choice CLEAR Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment - $19
Dr. Fishman says, “I like this because its lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (2.5%), its inclusion of soothing ingredients like bisabolol and allantoin, and its lotion formulation make it a good choice for someone with less oily or more sensitive skin.”
11. PCA Skin Acne Cream - $36
“This is a good spot treatment,” says Dr. Fishman. “In addition to 5% benzoyl peroxide, it has the PHA (poly-hydroxy acid) gluconolactone and the AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) lactic acid. These are less irritating than salicylic acid. It also has tea tree oil. So you get lots of acne-fighting ingredients in one product. It also has glycerin and grape seed oil to make it less drying, and aloe and anthemis nobilis (a type of chamomile) to combat irritation.”
12. AcneFree Terminator10 Acne Spot Treatment - $4.97
Dr. Garshick notes that this product is intended for people who can tolerate higher levels of benzoyl peroxide. “This acne spot treatment uses 10% benzoyl peroxide to help eliminate breakouts, and has ginger and chamomile to help soothe the skin. This is a good option if you need a quick fix – but remember that a little goes a long way.”
13. Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Treatment - $7.49
Neutrogena is a brand that’s very popular among dermatologists (and their patients), and here’s another of their well-liked offerings for the treatment of acne. It contains 2.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide. “Micronization reduces the particle size of the benzoyl peroxide molecule to make it less irritating to the skin,” says Dr. Toy. He adds, “This product also pairs well with Neutrogena Stubborn Marks PM Treatment, a retinol-containing product which fights acne and fades acne marks.” Next up, learn about the best skincare routines for morning and night.
Sources:
Dr. Cybele Fishman, board-certified dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology, PCMarisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologistDr. Rebecca Marcus, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maei MDDr. Brian Toy, board-certified dermatologist with Providence Mission Hospital in Orange County, California, and a Clinical Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.Dr. Peter Young, Medical Director, Facet
