The best benzoyl peroxide products to treat acne, according to dermatologists
If you have acne-prone skin, one of these treatments could help to heal your next breakout.
Avène Cleanance Acne Medicated Clearing Treatment
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$32.49
Experts recommend considering the following when shopping for a skin care product with benzoyl peroxide as its main ingredient:
Listed below are expert-recommended benzoyl peroxide products that can help treat face and body acne. I also included highly rated options that align with dermatologists’ guidance.
This cleanser’s 4% benzoyl peroxide formulation is high enough to pack an acne punch and is combined with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to help calm the skin and retain moisture, according to Sadeghpour.
If you have cystic acne or mild to moderate acne, consider using this lightweight lotion, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 2,900 reviews on Amazon. Aside from helping to control oil and breakouts, this treatment has bisabolol and allantoin to help soothe the skin and reduce redness, according to the brand. For the best results, apply the matte-finish lotion to your skin after cleansing twice daily.
This drugstore body wash is an effective treatment for body acne or folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles) because of its high concentration of benzoyl peroxide, according to Sadeghpour. It’s available in two strengths, so you can choose which one would be best for the severity of your acne and your skin’s tolerance level, she says.
You can use this lotion as a spot treatment on pimples and blackheads up to three times a day in order to help minimize the appearance of pores and reduce oil, according to the brand. Reviewers say that even their sensitive skin can tolerate it, and there is a noticeable difference within a few days of applying it regularly. They also say it can be quite drying, so be sure to follow it up with a moisturizer. This treatment has a 4.5-star average rating from over 600 reviews at Sephora.
Aside from being formulated to clear acne within one week of consistent use, this creamy cleanser also hydrates and soothes the skin with the help of glycerin and licorice root. The licorice root also helps reduce any redness linked directly with acne, according to the brand. Reviewers say that while it’s an effective treatment and reduces irritation, it does have a slight scent that isn’t masked by artificial fragrances.
This cleanser is non-irritating because it has soothing and calming thermal spring water to counteract any irritation that benzoyl peroxide might cause, according to the brand.
This mask has 5% benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid to treat acne and uneven texture. NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider uses this product as a spot treatment whenever she gets a breakout. “By the time I wake up in the morning, my skin looks much clearer and my breakouts are significantly reduced,” she says. “It really feels like magic, but it’s just the combination of benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid.”
Using a product with benzoyl peroxide can be a great first step to preventing and treating acne. Below are factors experts recommend considering when shopping for one. Some factors are based on personal preference, while others may benefit from a discussion with a board-certified dermatologist.
Benzoyl peroxide is available in different formulations, including gels, cleansers, masks, spot treatments and lotions. The option you choose will depend on your preference, whether you want to target a large or small area, and whether you want a leave-on or rinse-off treatment, says Germain.
Some skin care products with benzoyl peroxide have different percentages of the ingredient, including 2.5%, 5% and 10%. It’s important to remember the following when deciding which level of concentration is best for you.
Many times, benzoyl peroxide is formulated with other ingredients to balance out any dryness and irritation. Some soothing and hydrating ingredients include hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides and glycerin.
Benzoyl peroxide is an over the counter, FDA-approved active ingredient to treat acne, according to Germain. This ingredient is bactericidal, meaning it can directly kill the bacteria most commonly involved in acne (Cutibacterium acnes). It is also sebostatic, which means it can help reduce oil production, and keratolytic, which means it can help remove dead skin cells that clog pores, according to Sadeghpour. It’s also especially great because C. acnes doesn’t build a tolerance to benzoyl peroxide as it would with other active antibiotic treatments, says Germain.
Benzoyl peroxide is great for those with oily or acne-prone skin, according to our experts. However, if you have low oil production and decide to use this ingredient in your skin care routine, you run the risk of dryness and irritation, especially those with sensitive skin, says Sadeghpour.
Benzoyl peroxide is FDA-approved for acne treatments in individuals aged 12 and older. Depending on the severity of acne and other skin care conditions, it can be used in those younger than 12 years of age under the guidance and recommendation of a board-certified dermatologist, according to Sadeghpour.
Benzoyl peroxide can be irritating, causing dryness, redness, and scaling, especially for those with sensitive skin. This is usually overcome by using a lower strength, decreasing the frequency of use, or using it short term and returning to another treatment, says Germain. A moisturizer often will remedy much of the issue, she says. In addition to its drying and irritating side effects, it can also have bleaching qualities, causing it to discolor colored fabrics and towels, says Sadeghpour.
There are some ingredients you don’t want to use in conjunction with benzoyl peroxide. This includes retinoids since it will make them less effective, according to Germain. When in doubt, consult a board-certified dermatologist to determine whether or not you can mix certain skin care products together as part of your treatment plan.
Also, the antibiotic medication dapsone (also known as aczone) and hydroquinone (a topical bleaching cream) can cause skin discoloration when combined with benzoyl peroxide, says Sadeghpour.
In general, for individuals 12 years and older, benzoyl peroxide can be used 1-2 times a day, according to Sadeghpour. However, this will vary from person to person, depending on your skin’s tolerance. For example, if your skin is more sensitive, a board-certified dermatologist may recommend less frequent applications, she says.
The 2023 study by Valisure showed that when BPO products were left at 37°C (body temperature) and higher temperatures of 50°C and 70°C, BPO degraded into increasing amounts of benzene, a known carcinogen, over the course of 3-4 weeks. This then resulted in Valisure sending a citizen petition to the FDA requesting a recall and suspension of benzoyl peroxide products.
“There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered regarding Valisure’s findings, including the safety and stability of benzoyl peroxide in real-world settings, where the study’s high temperatures are not always present,” says Sadeghpour. “Until we have more answers and more data is revealed, users should air on the side of caution and make sure their benzoyl peroxide is stored in cooler temperatures and that they are not used past their expiration date.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter at NBC Select. For this piece, she interviewed dermatologists about the benefits and drawbacks of benzoyl peroxide. She also compiled a list of product recommendations based on their guidance.
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