Blast Stubborn Acne Away at Its Source With These Benzoyl Peroxide Treatments
Time to bring this classic skincare ingredient back into your routine.
If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
Want to overcome a breakout? You need to start by eliminating dead skin cells and unclogging oil-polluted pores. The key is benzoyl peroxide, which speeds up the process by using oxygen to detoxify pores and release sebum buildup.
"Benzoyl peroxide is the oldest and most trusted topical treatment for acne," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hilary Baldwin. "It works as monotherapy in milder and moderate acne and is used in combination with topical and oral antibiotics in more severe acne. It is a part of my treatment in virtually every patient."
So, how exactly does this zit-zapping ingredient work?
"Benzoyl peroxide kills the C. acnes bacterium that proliferates in the follicles of acne prone patients, causing the inflammatory response that we call acne," says Baldwin. "It is therefore also indirectly anti-inflammatory." She also notes that benzoyl peroxide is great for blasting away blackheads.
Here’s some good news: Whether you have whiteheads or cystic acne, Baldwin notes that all types of acne benefit from benzoyl peroxide, but it's especially great for inflammatory acne — red bumps and pustules.
"Patients who have only blackheads and whiteheads would do better with a topical retinoid like La Roche Posay’s Adapalene .1% Acne Treatment," she says. "I would recommend it to be used in combination with a benzoyl peroxide as the two drugs complement each other."
If you're ready to say goodbye to your worst breakouts for good, keep reading to see some of the most powerful benzoyl peroxide acne treatments and washes available online.
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser
Neutrogena's Rapid Clear face wash does the trick at a low price. This is one of the strongest drugstore remedies you'll find, made with maximum-strength benzoyl peroxide to reveal your clearest complexion yet.
Paula's Choice CLEAR Regular Strength Skin Clearing Treatment
Paula's Choice CLEAR Regular Strength Skin Clearing Treatment
Because acne is caused by harmful bacteria, we'd prefer our purifying solution to be as healthy as possible for our skin.
Paula's Choice has eliminated common, yet harmful, ingredients you'd find in other acne treatments — such as alcohol, menthol, and camphor — to guarantee zero irritation. Suitable for all skin types, it can be applied up to three times daily for maximum results.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment
La Roche-Posay's acne treatment features both benzoyl peroxide and microexfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid to penetrate clogged pores and clear blackheads and whiteheads. This one works double-duty to banish all types of blemishes.
Humane Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Acne Wash
Humane Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Acne Wash
If there's anything worse than adult acne, it's body breakouts. Unfortunately, all skin is prone to blemishes, but Humane's body and face wash takes care of all of it.
The 8-ounce bottle will last you 1 to 2 months, and it contains a specialized formula that's strong enough to clear pores and flush them out before pimples surface.
Glossier, one of our absolute fave brands, created a zit stick that you need to stash in your purse ASAP. Packed with acne-fighting benzoyl peroxide, this convenient roll-on battles blemishes extremely quickly.
In a clinical trial, 83% of test subjects said that it lessened the appearance of pimples in just 3 hours.
Can you believe? We'll take three, please!
An impressive 10% of Jan Marini's acne-fighting lotion is benzoyl peroxide. This powerful solution dries up pimples while keeping the skin's moisture intact. It even works as a preventative measure to keep future blemishes from forming!
Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel 5% Benzoyl Peroxide
Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel 5% Benzoyl Peroxide
Who knew Mary Kay was a major player in the acne-fighting department? This top-rated acne gel contains a powerful 5% benzoyl peroxide to battle blemishes. It's light enough to wear under makeup, so you can use its breakout-battling properties throughout the day, too.
Image Skincare Clear Cell Medicated Acne Lotion
This fast-acting lotion by Image Skincare is a holy-grail product for battling breakouts. It attacks acne-causing bacteria to treat blemishes, blackheads, and clogged pores at the source.
The benzoyl peroxide-infused lotion can be applied both morning and night all over the skin, or concentrated on certain areas to act as a spot treatment. It's a must-have for any acne sufferer.
When you just need to treat one or two pesky pimples, reach for this spot treatment from acne-OG Proactiv. It delivers micro crystal benzoyl peroxide straight to the affected area, soaking up oil and unclogging pores so that skin can clear up fast. The travel-friendly tube is perfect for when you're in a pinch!
Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion
Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion
We all know that back acne is the absolute worst to deal with. So, when the going gets tough on your back, try out this clarifying lotion. It has a whopping 5% benzoyl peroxide formula to help cleanse and battle acne-causing impurities for a smoother, blemish-free feel on your backside.
Urban Skin Rx Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment
Urban Skin Rx Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment
Is it a serum? Is it a spot treatment? It's both! This serum-in-spot treatment contains powerful ingredients like 7.5% benzoyl peroxide, willow bark extract, and glycolic acid to work overtime on clogged pores. The results: smoother, blemish-free skin overnight.
If you need to blast away a pimple in a jiffy, don't resort to popping it just yet. Instead, use this ultra exfoliating acne spot cream, which contains 5% benzoyl peroxide and other clarifying ingredients like tea tree oil and lactic acid to dissolve any gunk lingering in your pores.
The best part: The formula is translucent, so feel free to use it during the day — with sunscreen, of course.
Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Therapeutic Lotion
Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Therapeutic Lotion
If you have oily, acne-prone skin, then a benzoyl peroxide-infused moisturizer is the perfect way to hydrate your pores while balancing oil production and clearing your complexion of any unwanted blemishes. This moisturizer is our favorite for its intense 5% benzoyl peroxide formula that won't dry out or irritate your precious pores.
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
Ashley is the beauty and style editor at BestProducts.com, and her work has been featured on Cosmopolitan and Town and Country. She has an obsession with designer handbags, Liberty prints, 1960s fashion, and owns more shoes than she’s willing to admit. She's been using her learnings from owning a boutique and her shopping addiction for good since 2015. She’ll never accept that black isn’t a color. Away from the computer, you’ll likely find the Texas native binging on a British period drama or theorizing over Game of Thrones. She has yet to find a real cup of queso in NYC.
Watch Next
What Are the Skincare Benefits of Salicylic Acid?
Azelaic Acid Products Dermatologists Love Using
Best Sunscreens of 2024
The Best Summer Skincare Products of 2024
