These expert picks prevent and treat pimples.
We updated this article in January 2023 to add more information about each featured product. Our original top-rated picks remain the same, with three new additions.
Whether you’re someone who is constantly battling breakouts or you just get the occasional pimple, you’ve probably heard of (or even tried) benzoyl peroxide, one of the best acne products recommended by dermatologists. “Benzoyl peroxide has been used to treat acne for over 85 years,” says Christine Choi Kim, M.D., a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Los Angeles, CA. “Benzoyl peroxide is the ultimate multitasker: It’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, keratolytic [meaning it breaks up the top layer of dead skin cells] and comedolytic [meaning it dissolves blackheads and whiteheads].” The powerful, FDA-approved acne-blasting ingredient can also help kill certain bacteria that contribute to acne formation, making it key for pimple prevention too.
How does it deliver all of these amazing acne-fighting benefits? “Benzoyl peroxide is oil soluble, allowing it to effectively enter sebum-filled pores to kill bacteria and dissolve dead skin cells,” explains Chiara Butler, a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the GH Institute. While it is definitely an ingredient to have in your acne-fighting routine, Butler warns that it can bleach clothing, colored towels or even your hair. “I recommend using a headband to keep your hair off of your face while using a benzoyl peroxide wash and drying off with a white towel after using a benzoyl peroxide face or body wash to prevent any staining,” she adds.
Here are the best benzoyl peroxide products you can buy to clear your skin for good, according to dermatologists, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab skincare product experts and glowing online reviews, including top-rated gels, spot treatments, face washes and more.
1
BEST OVERALL BENZOYL PEROXIDE PRODUCT
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment with Benzoyl Peroxide
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.
2
BEST VALUE BENZOYL PEROXIDE PRODUCT
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment Gel
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.
3
BEST BENZOYL PEROXIDE GEL
RODAN + FIELDS Unblemish Dual Intensive Acne Treatment
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.
4
BEST BENZOYL PEROXIDE FACE WASH
Differin 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Daily Deep Cleanser
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.
5
BEST BENZOYL PEROXIDE SPOT TREATMENT
Jori Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask
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.”
6
BEST BENZOYL PEROXIDE PRODUCT WITH SALICYLIC ACID
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Dermatological Acne Treatment 3-Step System
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.
7
BEST BENZOYL PEROXIDE BODY WASH
PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide
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.”
8
BEST BENZOYL PEROXIDE FACE WASH FOR CYSTIC ACNE
PanOxyl Antimicrobial Acne Creamy Wash, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide
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!”
9
BEST BENZOYL PEROXIDE PRODUCT FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
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.
10
BEST SOOTHING BENZOYL PEROXIDE PRODUCT
Slmd BP Body Wash
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.
How we choose the best benzoyl peroxide products
While the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab hasn’t formally tested benzoyl peroxide products, GH Beauty Lab scientists are constantly testing the newest skincare products, including the best face washes, retinol for sensitive skin, sunscreen and more. We used our decades of expertise, along with advice from dermatologists, Beauty Lab expert recommendations and vetted customer reviews to compile this list.
What to look for when shopping for the best products with benzoyl peroxide
If you suffer from severe acne, you can get heavy-duty prescription benzoyl peroxide products from a dermatologist, but those with mild to moderate acne can easily find over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products that come in various strengths. When first choosing a product with BP, Dr. Choi Kim suggests starting with a lower percentage, like 2.5 or 5%, “to maximize effectiveness and minimize irritation.”
For those with skin on the sensitive side, look for a formula that also includes humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and allantoin to soothe and hydrate skin simultaneously. Alternatively, if you are looking for an extra potent acne treatment, try a product that combines BP with the breakout-minimizing ingredient salicylic acid, topical antibiotics or certain topical retinoids, like adapalene. Since each of these skincare ingredients combats acne differently, they can work synergistically to treat and prevent all types of breakouts.
What kind of skin is benzoyl peroxide good for?
Like many acne treatments, benzoyl peroxide “is best for people with oily, acneic, blemish-prone skin, as well as those with body acne on the chest, back, shoulders or buttocks,” explains Dr. Choi Kim. Benzoyl peroxide is good for all types of acne, including cysts, blackheads and whiteheads, but it’s particularly great at treating inflammatory cystic acne.
However, BP is drying, so it’s not ideal for those with dry or particularly sensitive skin, and those with rosacea or eczema should also avoid it. And if you’re pregnant, you’ll want to talk to your doctor before using any products with benzoyl peroxide.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Dori Price interviewed several experts to gather the best information about benzoyl peroxide. She has over 15 years of experience researching and writing skincare stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals including dermatologists and aestheticians. She is an expert in all face and body skincare product categories, from cleansers to toners, serums, moisturizers, sunscreens, exfoliators, masks, professional treatments and more.
Chiara Butler contributed to this article by sharing her expert tips about benzoyl peroxide as well as product recommendations. She is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.
