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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
Anyone who’s ever had the misfortune of dealing with a major breakout situation is probably familiar with benzoyl peroxide; it tops the list of choice acne-fighting ingredients for several reasons. First and foremost, it inhibits the growth of p.acnes, the bacteria that causes acne, explains Chicago dermatologist Jordan Carqueville, MD. That’s impressive in and of itself, but the benefits don’t stop there.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our top pick La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo stands out as a dual-action product that works to exfoliate your skin while delivering a high concentration of benzoyl peroxide. Differin Daily Deep Cleanser is also a solid choice and can be easily found at your local drugstore.
“Benzoyl peroxide also reduces excess oil on the skin and removes dead cells that can clog pores,” she adds. This trio of attributes makes it ideal for those with inflammatory acne—red, painful bumps and blemishes. (FYI, if it’s just a few whiteheads and blackheads you’re dealing with, it’s probably not the best ingredient for you, since it can be quite drying.) “It can be very effective at both treating active acne lesions and preventing new ones, especially if you pair it with a retinoid and/or salicylic acid,” says Carqueville. The other nice thing? BPO, as it’s often called, comes in a host of different formulas and products, from cleansers to creams.
Keep reading for the best benzoyl peroxide products that can help achieve your clear complexion goals.
Best Overall
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
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Courtesy of Amazon
Strong formula
Reduces excess oil
Can be drying
Who else recommends it? Vogue and Good Housekeeping both picked the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo.
What do buyers say? 88% of 4,500+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
This is a top choice for New York City dermatologist Morgan Rabach, MD, who lauds it for pairing BPO with a lipo-hydroxy acid to help exfoliate the skin and clear out pores. Carqueville is also a fan of this dual-action and adds that it’s especially great as a localized treatment, given that it does have a slightly higher concentration of benzoyl peroxide. (To that point, many reviewers note that a little goes a long way, so one tube should last you quite a while.) As if that weren’t endorsement enough, this is also a team Byrdie fan favorite, including a go-to for Jessica Mahgerefteh, Byrdie’s Commerce Editorial Director.
Price at time of publish: $21
Best Drugstore
Differin Daily Deep Cleanser
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Amazon
Strong formula
Reduces excess oil
Can be drying
This formula boasts a 5% concentration of a micronized benzoyl peroxide meant to penetrate deep into pores, killing bacteria and absorbing excess oil. At the same time, however, it also releases a gentle moisturizer meant to help balance your skin and prevent unwanted dryness. Reviewers repeatedly note how well it’s helped clear their skin, and the affordable price doesn’t hurt, either.
Price at time of publish: $13
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Byrdie / Joline Buscemi
What Our Testers Say
"I used the cleanser once a day for about a week, and during that time I didn’t experience any new breakouts, and the ones I already had seemed to clear up quicker than usual." — Joline Buscemi, Product Tester
Best Mask
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Daily Leave-On Mask
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Courtesy of Walmart
Strong formula
Easily accessible at drugstores
Can be drying
This leave-on treatment has a gel-like texture and clear finish. So yes, it’s a mask, but one that you can apply and leave on all day, even layering moisturizer and/or makeup over it. (Although you should start to see some results in as little as four hours, according to the brand) It contains a 2.5% concentration of BPO, likely enough to be effective, but not so much that you risk unwanted irritation or dryness.
Price at time of publish: $33
Best Body Wash
PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash
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Walmart
Strong formula
Moisturizing
Can be used on face and body
Can be runny
Rabach and Carqueville both recommend this cleanser for treating body acne on areas such as your back, chest, and booty (because yes, you can break out on your butt). Credit the foaming action, which makes it easy to apply all over these larger surfaces. It contains 10% BPO, which might be a bit too much on the face for some people, but is usually well-tolerated on the body, says Carqueville.
Price at time of publish: $10
Best for Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
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Amazon
Non-irritating
Moisturizing
Gentle formula
Pricier than other options
Key Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the human body. It acts as a cushioning and lubrication agent for our joints, nerves, hair, skin, and eyes. When used in skincare, it acts as a moisture binder, which means that it will attach itself to the water in the cells (while also attracting and holding water from the air) giving them a plumping effect.
If your complexion skews towards sensitivity, it’s important to proceed with caution when it comes to any kind of potent skincare ingredient, BPO included. That’s why we appreciate this formula, specially formulated to be ultra-gentle on skin. It has that acne-fighting benzoyl peroxide, yes, but it also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing niacinamide, and three different ceramides meant to keep the skin barrier healthy and intact (the secret to minimizing irritation.) It goes on creamy but transforms into a foam, you still get that satisfying lather and clean feel that’s lacking with many other cleansers geared towards sensitive skin.
Price at time of publish: $14
Best Spot Treatment
Glossier Zit Stick
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Courtesy of Glossier
Strong formula
Contains other powerful acne-fighting ingredients
Easy to use
Pricier than other options
When a big ol’ pimple pops up at the least opportune time, reach for this guy. It pairs 5% benzoyl peroxide with tea tree oil and a less irritating derivative of salicylic acid, working to shrink your zit in just three hours, according to the brand. The convenient size and applicator make it easy to use anytime, anywhere; simply roll the antimicrobial stainless steel tip over said zit up to three times per day.
Price at time of publish: $14
Best Moisturizer
Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Therapeutic Lotion
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Courtesy of Dermstore
Strong formula
Moisturizing
Lightweight
Pricier than other options
Those who are always looking for ways to minimize the number of steps and products in their routine will appreciate this one-stop skin-clearing shop. There’s 5% benzoyl peroxide in this lightweight, double-duty moisturizer, which absorbs quickly yet still feels hydrating. Use it once daily, topping it with sunscreen if you’re applying it in the AM.
Price at time of publish: $88
Best Cleanser
Glytone Acne BPO Clearing Cleanser
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Courtesy of Dermstore
Strong formula
Moisturizing
Pricier than other options
Using a face wash with benzoyl peroxide daily is an easy way to try to prevent future pimples from popping up and keep skin clear. Use it just once daily, alternating with a more mild cleanser, to minimize the likelihood of dryness.
Price at time of publish: $38
Recite the alphabet as you apply it to ensure the active ingredient has enough contact time with your skin to do its thing.
Best Two-in-One
Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask
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Amazon
Effective without over-drying
Refreshing feel
Reduces excess oil
Works as a cleanser or mask
Contains fragrance
“This is a great product because you can use it as either a mask or a cleanser,” says Rabach. If your skin is super sensitive or you’re trying to ward off future breakouts, use it as a cleanser. Otherwise, leave it on for five minutes as a mask (bonus points for the refreshing cooling sensation it delivers). Carqueville also likes this formula, noting that it contains 3.5% benzoyl peroxide, a good potency for use on the face.
Price at time of publish: $8
Editor's Pick
Paula's Choice CLEAR Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment
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Amazon
Strong formula
Clears pores
Moisturizing
Pricier than other options
If your skin is a bit problematic or you’re just trying to keep it clear, this is a great option to add to your routine—just ask Byrdie senior editor Hallie Gould, who says it's super effective. The featherweight lotion dries clear and matte and can be used on either face and/or body. It’s effective but gentle enough to use twice a day, thanks to the addition of soothing plant extracts meant to combat the dryness the benzoyl peroxide could cause.
Price at time of publish: $22
Best Extra-Strength
Clean & Clear PERSA-GEL10 Acne Medication
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Courtesy of Amazon
Strong formula
Easily accessible at drugstores
Few inactive ingredients
Can be drying
This boasts the highest concentration of benzoyl peroxide that you can get without a prescription, 10%. That can be a lot for some, so start by using it only once a day; you can gradually work up to three times daily if your skin can tolerate it. It’s also a good move to save it as a treatment for the smaller areas where you’re prone to breakouts, think the chin or forehead, versus applying it all over your face.
Price at time of publish: $8
Best for Dry Skin
Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion
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Courtesy of Sephora
Strong formula
Soothing ingredients
Reduces excess oil
Pricier than other options
In case we haven’t made it clear by now, dryness is one of the most common side effects that can come with using benzoyl peroxide. That’s why we appreciate that this has a unique delivering system that gets the ingredient into affected areas, without overdrying it. There are also ceramides to minimize water loss and further keep skin hydrated.
Price at time of publish: $56
Final Verdict
Because it helps to combat blemishes in several different ways, benzoyl peroxide is a fan-favorite acne-fighting ingredient among dermatologists. The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo is a great BPO product to try, a great spot treatment. Shopping at the drugstore? Pick up the Differin Daily Deep Facial Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin, a great daily cleanser, or the Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Daily Leave-On Mask, a clear mask that can be layered under makeup. Generally speaking, benzoyl peroxide can be a potentially-irritating ingredient for those with sensitive skin, but the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser combines it with plenty of soothing and hydrating ingredients to mitigate the likelihood of irritation.
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Meet the Expert
- Jordan Carqueville, MD, is a Chicago-based dermatologist and dermatopathologist. Specializing in both cosmetic, surgical, and general dermatology, she frequently treats acne patients. Dr. Carqueville is also a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Cook County Hospital.
- Morgan Rabach is a board-certified dermatologist, the co-founder of LM Medical in New York City, and a media expert on all things skin. She’s also an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
What To Look For in a Benzoyl Peroxide Product
The concentration of benzoyl peroxide
Not all products are created equal. Benzoyl peroxide is most often found in concentrations ranging from 2.5% to 10%. Since the ingredient may be drying, it’s always best to err on the lower side and gradually work your way up.
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How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Fun fact: She’s legitimately allergic to benzoyl peroxides, so she relied on expert input, lots of product reviews, and input from family and friends when writing this article.
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