10 Best Benzoyl Peroxide Products to Fight Acne, According to Dermatologists

Both Dr. Choi Kim and Good Housekeeping Beauty Director April Franzino recommend this multi-tasking benzoyl peroxide treatment from La Roche-Posay. "It can be used as either a spot treatment or in a thin layer all over acne-affected areas," Dr. Choi Kim says. "Plus, it contains both 5.5% micronized BP and micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, allowing it to treat inflammatory acne and prevent blackheads and whiteheads at the same time."

Franzino adds that it doesn't dehydrate skin: "I used this as a spot treatment on errant breakouts and found that it works without drying out my complexion." Good Housekeeping Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman also uses it as a spot treatment and has found it to be super helpful with hormonal breakouts. One thing is for sure: it's a powerful product. Be mindful of the instructions and stick with suggested usage; a few reviewers noted that if you overuse, it can be drying.

If you are looking for an affordable acne treatment that works fast and furiously, look no further than Neutrogena's top-rated spot treatment, which has over 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. The gel formula contains 10% benzoyl peroxide and promises to shrink pimples and reduce redness in as little as two hours. "If I have a troublesome zit I see coming in at night, I smooth a little bit of this over it, and I wake up with the zit practically gone," one reviewer marveled.

While benzoyl peroxide is very effective at treating acne, it can be irritating, especially when you first start using it. "This product from Rodan+Fields has a unique dual-chamber delivery system that releases BP from one chamber and a penetration-enhancing gel from the other chamber," Dr. Choi Kim explains. "Mixing the ingredients together allows the low potency 2.5% BP to effectively reach its target in pores without irritating skin." Plus, it contains skin nourishing ingredients like glycerin, allantoin, niacinamide and ceramides to hydrate and plump skin.

You can treat acne with benzoyl peroxide as you cleanse your face, too, thanks to top-rated face washes like Differin's. "Formulated with both 5% BP and hydrating glycerin, this cleanser is effective but gentle," Dr. Choi Kim says. "It won’t leave your skin feeling dry or stripped of moisture like other BP cleansers can." She also loves that it is free of dyes and other potentially irritating ingredients. Just make sure to use it consistently; reviewers noted that constant use is needed to see optimal results.

True to its name, Jori's leave-on mask is actually gentle enough to be applied daily, and like most BP products, designed to be used overnight. It contains 2.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide, which is small enough to penetrate deep into the pores to the root of pimples. "I actually use it as a spot treatment in conjunction with Jori's salicylic acid Acne & Oil Control Primer to treat and dry any pesky pimples that pop up," says Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catherine Malzahn. "The mask is super gentle yet effective – I apply it at night, and the pimple is noticeably smaller and less angry when I wake up in the morning."

This three-step system from La Roche-Posay packs a big punch when it comes to treating acne. In addition to the powerful Effaclear Duo treatment which contains 5.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide and hydrating glycerin, this skincare routine set includes a cleanser and clarifying solution powered with salicylic acid that let you treat breakouts at every step. Dr. Choi Kim likes that "it's suitable for sensitive skin, oil-free and non-comedogenic." When starting with this system — just as you should with any new acne treatment product — incorporate slowly into your skincare routine, as a few reviewers commented that it irritated their skin.

When it comes to body acne, skin can typically tolerate a higher percentage of benzoyl peroxide. "PanOxyl's maximum strength 10% BP formula, the highest strength available without a prescription, is great to use in the shower to keep your chest and back acne under control," Dr. Choi Kim says. "It is pH balanced with four emollient and three humectant ingredients to combat potential dryness."

A long time dry skin and cystic acne sufferer, Good Housekeeping Editorial Assistant Adrianna Freedman has struggled with trying to maintain a balanced complexion until she found this cleanser from PanOxyl. "I discovered this wash on TikTok, and I've honestly never looked back," she says. "I love how this doesn't feel particularly stripping on the face but also helps my under-the-skin pimples subside in a quicker fashion than most cleansers." Plus, she loves that it's reasonably priced. "The only thing to note is that it will stain, so be cognizant of what towels to use when drying your face off," Freedman warns. "But if that's the only thing wrong with it, then I don't want it to be right!"

Benzoyl peroxide isn't always easy to use if you have sensitive skin. Thanks to hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides, this cleanser from CeraVe calms and hydrates skin while treating breakouts, earning it over 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. The cream-to-foam formula is soft and soothing and doesn't leave skin feeling stripped or tight.

"I've used a few different acne-specific cleansers and this one stands out for leaving my skin refreshed without drying it out, at least compared to others I've tried," says Grace Wu, Good Housekeeping Textiles Product Reviews Analyst. "I have sensitive and (very) dry skin so I appreciate that this feels gentle on my skin and doesn't dry it out too much." One note: Be patient and stick with it even if you don't see results immediately; some reviewers it can take some time to see a change in your skin.

Butler loves that this body wash from SLMD "has a creamy texture and contains a bit of eucalyptus oil to create the same mild cooling sensation that some benzoyl peroxide face washes have." Additionally, it contains the skin-soothing ingredient allantoin as well as niacinamide. While Butler uses it sporadically, it is gentle enough for daily use. Though most users like the texture, a few noted that it didn't lather well.