Be Gone Blemishes: 15 Benzoyl Peroxide Skin Care Products To Bust Acne (2024)

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PanOxyl’s acne foaming wash contains an impressive amount of benzoyl peroxide—10 percent, to be exact. Those with sensitive skin will see that number and be hesitant, and rightfully so. Since it contains a good amount of benzoyl peroxide, you may want to do a spot test before diving into using it on your entire face, especially if you have sensitive skin.

The maximum strength formula is the highest over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide wash available, and when used correctly, it provides pretty good results. The foaming wash will kill acne-causing bacteria on contact and work to lift dirt from your pores. After using it, you’ll notice your skin looks and feels fresher and cleaner.

Type: Cleanser｜Formula: Wash off｜Strength: 10%｜Size: 5.5 oz

“I personally recommend Neutrogena Clear Pore because it is a mild formula, and it contains 3 percent benzoyl peroxide,” Dr. Nazanin Saedi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, shares. She uses it every other day and doesn’t experience any irritation. But it’s important to note that his product may not be ideal for those who have sensitive skin.

The best part about this product is you can use it as a cleanser or a face mask. It’s a dermatologist-tested formula that will kill bacteria on your skin while treating your breakouts. If your skin is looking acne-free, using it as a daily face cleanser will help prevent future breakouts. If you’re breaking out frequently, using it as a face mask will help penetrate the product deeper into your pores, allowing for a deeper cleanse.

Type: Cleanser/Mask｜Formula: Wash off/Leave On｜Strength: 3.5%｜Size: 4.2 oz

A spot treatment is ideal to have on hand, since acne can pop up anywhere and at any time. This spot treatment/serum combination is made with five percent benzoyl peroxide, and will help your acne fade away. You can apply it all over your face and neck or just as a spot treatment—it’s the best of both worlds.

You can use this convenient treatment one to two times a day when needed, or if your skin is more sensitive, every other night. The Clear Complexion Acne Serum can also improve the appearance of aging skin while smoothing your skin’s surface. It’s seriously a magical product you’ll enjoy having right at your fingertips.

Type: Serum/Spot Treatment｜Formula: Leave-on｜Strength: 5%｜Size: 1 oz

CeraVe may already be a staple brand in your skin care routine, as their products can be phenomenal for various skin concerns. This foaming cream cleanser is formulated with four percent benzoyl peroxide to help eliminate your acne, whiteheads, and blackheads while cleansing your skin. You’ll notice your imperfections fading each time you wash your face with this cleanser, and it will prevent any new acne from forming.

For those who don’t have sensitive skin, you can use this cleanser every morning and evening. Since it does contain a higher amount of benzoyl peroxide, make sure you avoid the eye area as the skin around it is very thin and more sensitive. If your skin does experience a little bit of dryness, make sure to apply your go-to moisturizer for acne directly after washing your face.

Type: Cleanser｜Formula: Wash-off｜Strength: 4%｜Size: 5 oz

Having access to a face cleanser that you can use every day or just when you’re having an acne flare up is an ideal scenario. You can rely on this Differin deep acne cleanser to penetrate deep into your pores to effectively treat acne any time you use it. For those who have sensitive skin, you’ll be thrilled to know that this specific formula caters to your gentle skin needs. While it’s important to still be cautious when it comes to any product that includes benzoyl peroxide, we highly recommend you try this one out.

One of our favorite things about this face cleanser is that when you wash your face with it, a gentle moisturizer is released to your skin—without clogging your pores. This nongreasy product will make your skin barrier happy while improving your skin texture.

Type: Cleanser｜Formula: Wash-off｜Strength: 5%｜Size: 5 oz

An acne serum like this 24-hour one from DRMTLGY is a soothing option to help diminish your acne. You can apply the product all over your face to help prevent new breakouts from occurring while getting rid of the already existing acne. It’s formulated with benzoyl peroxide 5 percent and soothing botanical extracts to help calm and soothe your skin after applying it.

The serum is suitable for combination, dry, normal, and oily skin but despite its soothing properties, it may still irritate those with severely sensitive skin. You can apply this serum on your face and neck (remember, avoid your eye area), and allow it to dry before applying the rest of your skin care products. All in all, it’s a great product to invest in to help fight acne on the spot.

Type: Serum｜Formula: Leave-on｜Strength: 5%｜Size: 1.1 oz

Get rid of acne and prevent future unwanted breakouts with this cream cleanser. It’s a strong yet gentle formula that will cleanse your skin without stripping your skin barrier of moisture. It’s great to use every day, or whenever a breakout is appearing. A dime-sized amount is all you need, and after massaging it into your skin, you’ll feel refreshed and without any of the burning feeling that other products made with benzoyl peroxide may cause.

The best thing about this cleanser is that all skin types can use it. Naturium’s formula for this benzoyl peroxide cleanser is developed to be pH-appropriate, meaning it guarantees optimal potency and support for your skin’s health. It’s an easy and effective way to say goodbye to those pesky blemishes.

Type: Cleanser｜Formula: Wash-off｜Strength: 5%｜Size: 5 oz

Kate Summerville is a brand loved for their variety of skin care products. Their clearing lotion is perfect for those looking to improve their uneven skin texture, and diminish their acne. Using this lotion can also help with oily skin since it’s formulated with ingredients to help absorb excess oil while keeping your skin moisturized.

You can apply this clearing lotion one to three times per day, depending on if your skin can handle it, and if it’s needed. Since it is made with five percent benzoyl peroxide, it’s important to remember to apply a moisturizer and a sunscreen to your skin after applying the lotion. If you are experiencing drying while using the product, reduce the frequency of use.

Type: Lotion｜Formula: Leave-on｜Strength: 5%｜Size: 0.5 oz

Drying lotions like this one from Sacheu are perfect for those who get one or two blemishes every now and then. You can easily apply the product on your blemishes before bed and let the formula absorb excess oil, bringing deep acne to the surface while you sleep. It’s made with kaolin, which is known for its efficient ability to absorb oil, which will work to fight the breakout you’re experiencing.

If you’re looking to help your blemishes fade during the day, you can apply makeup over the drying lotion and go on with your day. Covering up the product or acne with concealer may be tricky for some, but if it works for you, it’s a great secret tool to have in your pocket.

Type: Lotion｜Formula: Leave-on｜Strength: 2.5%｜Size: 0.5 oz

This effective acne treatment will feel like a miracle worker for those of us who are eager for acne to fade quickly. From mild to modern acne, this clearing treatment can be applied to the acne-prone areas of your skin after you cleanse and control your skin. To protect your skin and the process of diminishing your acne, it’s important to apply a broad-spectrum face sunscreen.

It’s also important to keep in mind to keep the product from making contact with your eyes, lips, and mouth as it can cause irritation. It is formulated with a normal amount of benzoyl peroxide (2.5 percent), which isn’t the highest amount on the market, but it is still in your best interest to be cautious. While it’s an overall amazing product, it may bleach products like dyed fabrics—oh, and dyed hair.

Type: Lotion｜Formula: Leave-on｜Strength: 2.5%｜Size: 2.25 oz

Most skin types will be able to benefit from this product, especially those who have combination skin. It’s formulated to fight your existing breakouts while ensuring your skin is maintaining its moisture.

It’s an advanced, non-foaming product, which allows the cleanser to get deeper into your skin–leading to better results. The Inkey List did an independent clinical study and found that their product kills up to 95 percent of acne-causing bacteria in 15 seconds. Talk about a fast-acting cleanser!

Type: Cleanser｜Formula: Wash-off｜Strength: 5%｜Size: 5 oz

Dealing with skin inflammation can be a trial and error process. Many products may claim to assist in calming inflammation and the discomfort that comes with it, but none quite like this cleanser from PCA. It’s formulated to eliminate acne-causing bacteria without causing irritation.

This cleanser is made with aloe, cucumber, nettle, and chamomile extract to soothe your skin and help your complexion look refreshed and clear. All you need to achieve this is to apply a small amount of the product to your skin and massage it around until a light foam forms. Then, rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry. Follow up with your normal skin care routine for moisturized and glowing skin.

Type: Cleanser｜Formula: Wash-off｜Strength: 5%｜Size: 7 oz

An acne wash that is categorized as an intense product that’s also formulated with benzoyl peroxide can look pretty intimidating. But trust us, this acne wash is one you want to try if you have acne-prone skin. It’s formulated to unclog pores, kill acne-causing bacteria, and prevent future blemishes from arising.

You’ll want to consider your skin type before implementing this product into your skin care routine. If your skin tends to be more dry, you’ll want to make sure you’re moisturizing well after using it. If you have acne-prone skin, starting out with using the product once per day to see how your skin reacts will help prevent irritation.

Type: Cleanser｜Formula: Wash-off｜Strength: 5%｜Size: 6.7 oz

Aside from scoring as one of the most affordable products on our list, this mini-sized tube earns points for packing a powerful punch against burgeoning cysts and whiteheads. We love that the formula doesn’t just include benzoyl peroxide either—it also uses licorice root (a great preventative against hyperpigmentation) and sambucus nigra fruit juice to aid in the pursuit of clear, calm skin. Also, sensitive skin folks can rejoice: this formula doesn’t contain any added fragrance or parabens, lessening the likelihood of too much irritation.

We’re not the biggest fans of the fuzz-tip applicator (we wish it just came straight out of the tube for simpler application), but we like this formula so much that we can take a little fuzz.

Type: Spot treatment｜Formula: Leave-on｜Strength: 5%｜Size: .33 oz

Benzoyl peroxide masks can be a bit harder to find than your average spot treatment or wash, so we were particularly excited about this version from Sofie Pavitt Face. The mask serves as as a preventative treatment and skin saver in one, protecting the face against future breakouts while clearing up the ones you already have. Simply wash your face with your favorite cleanser (we don’t recommend doubling up with a BP-based one, as this could be too drying), then apply the mask for 20 minutes before rinsing off to reveal calmer, clearer skin.

We also have to mention how much we like that this mask contains panthenol as one of its main components, an ingredient known to increase moisture retention. This is a big plus, due to the drying nature of the mask.

Type: Mask｜Formula: Wash-off｜Strength: 5%｜Size: 2 oz