12 Best Benzoyl Peroxide Products for Treating Acne, According to Derms (2024)

When it comes to treating angry red pimples, chronic acne sufferers know that there’s often nothing more effective—and life-saving—than the best benzoyl peroxide products. As one of the top FDA-approved and dermatologist-recommended ingredients for treating acne, benzoyl peroxide is often found in many over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments. But how exactly does this miracle ingredient work?

“[Benzoyl peroxide] is an effective acne-fighting ingredient because it has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and prevents the formation of clogged pores,” explains Brendan Camp, M.D., a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in Manhattan and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Products containing benzoyl peroxide can range from daily cleansers and face washes to topical treatments, like creams and gels. “As a cleanser it can be used to effectively treat acne on the face, chest, and back,” says Camp—while as a cream or gel, it “may be used as a spot treatment or applied more generally to an affected surface after cleansing.”

With so many different options for benzoyl peroxide products out there—including different concentrations or strengths—it can be hard to find the right one for your specific needs. Luckily, we’ve rounded up the best skincare products containing benzoyl peroxide as recommended by dermatologists right here.

Meet the Experts: Brendan Camp, M.D., a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in Manhattan and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College; Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Ready to finally achieve clear, acne-free skin? Check out our top, expert-approved picks for benzoyl peroxide products below.

Dr. Camp recommends this popular multi-tasking cream from La Roche-Posay as it is “formulated with both benzoyl peroxide (5.5%) and lipo-hydroxy acid to target blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples”—not to mention, it also contains glycerin to help combat dryness. The cream can also be used spot treatment or an all-over treatment depending on your needs. Boasting over 4,000 five-star ratings, one reviewer raves that it’s a “miracle worker,” writing, “This cleared up any and all adult acne I’ve been consistently struggling with. My skin was clear within days.”

“This foaming cleanser contains benzoyl peroxide to treat acne, hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, and niacinamide to fight inflammation,” says Dr. Camp. Thanks to these extra ingredients that make the formula extra soothing, this pick is a great option for sensitive skin. “I have the most sensitive skin, have suffered from hormonal cystic acne majority of my life now, and this is the only acne targeting face wash I’ve ever used that actually works,” raves one reviewer. “It’s strong enough to target what’s there and gentle enough to maintain the natural skin barrier without irritating my skin that’s not broken out.”

This affordable cleanser from Differin is highly-rated for its powerful formula: Not only does the 5% micronized benzoyl peroxide easily penetrate deep into pores to absorb excess oil, it also offers a gentle moisturizer formulated with glycerin to help hydrate and soothe skin. Reviewers rave that consistently using this cleanser truly makes a difference in their skin, with one shopper writing, “This is the best face wash ever! It’s super gentle but works very deep in your skin to get rid of dirt. It makes my face so clear and prevents me from getting acne.”

Looking for a fast-acting spot treatment? Dr. Camp recommends this top-rated pick from Neutrogena, which he notes is formulated with 10% benzoyl peroxide to address stubborn acne blemishes. The gel promises to reduce pimples and redness in as little as two hours—and reviewers say it actually does work that fast. “I put this cream on a pimple and in 2 hours it was noticeably smaller,” writes one reviewer. “Within a day the pimple had dried up almost completely.”

“This cleanser is formulated with 2.6% micronized benzoyl peroxide, which has been shown to be less irritating than traditional preparations,” notes Dr. Camp. The formula also contains ingredients like zinc and licorice root, which help soothe skin and reduce excess oil. “This face wash has helped my oiliness and definitely has stopped incoming breakouts,” writes one satisfied shopper on Amazon.

With 3.5% benzoyl peroxide, this multi-purpose product from Neutrogena can be used as both a daily wash or a deep cleaning mask to remove dirt, oil, residue, and bacteria, depending on your specific needs, says Dr. Camp. Reviewers rave that it “leaves skin feeling soft and fresh” in addition to helping clear up acne. One long-time customer, who’s been using the product for more than six years, writes: “I love this cleanser/mask. It’s very refreshing and I feel so clean after I wash my face.”

If you’re looking for an acne treatment mask, Dr. Zeichner recommends this pick from Jori, which contains 2.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide. “This ultralight water-gel mask drives invisibly on the skin,” he says. “The non-irritating formula can be used daily and contains a blend of botanicals that address contributing factors to adult breakouts. It can be applied directly to pimples that you have, or used to the entire area that tends to break out to prevent new ones from developing to begin with.”

Formulated specifically for adult skin, tnhis acne treatment from Rodan+Fields not only contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to help clear and prevent blemishes, it also helps plump, hydrate, and achieve more youthful-looking skin with the help of nourishing ingredients like glycerin, allantoin, niacinamide, and ceramides. “I had struggled to find a face care system that actually helped my adult hormonal acne and this has!...The tone of my skin has improved dramatically,” writes one reviewer, who also notes that “a little goes a long way.”

This compact, pocket-sized spot treatment gel is perfect for fighting unexpected pimples on the go. With a powerful dose of benzoyl peroxide, it goes on invisibly and helps absorb excess oil. Plus, it boasts over 4,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, with reviewers raving that it’s long-lasting and fast-acting. “This tiny tube will last me a very long time. As soon as I feel that a pimple is going to appear—I put a little dab of this on it and usually stop the zit from coming out,” writes one shopper. “On the few occasions when the pimple arrives, I continue applying a dab of the cream for a day or two and it’s gone!”

Formulated with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, this highly-rated treatment gel from Paula’s Choice also delivers skin-nourishing plant extracts like bisabolol, which soothes irritation, as well as allantoin, which calms redness and sensitivity. It’s suitable for all skin types, including for skin prone to cystic acne. One reviewer calls it a “godsend,” writing, “My acne has gone away completely, and it helps maintain my skin so that acne stays away, even when my hormones flare up.” However, users also note that because the formula drying, it’s best used with a moisturizer.

If you’re looking for a hydrating lotion that contains benzoyl peroxide, try this pick from Kate Somerville, which is clinically formulated to be gentler on acne-prone skin and doesn’t over-dry skin. “I’ve always had difficulty finding an effective spot treatment that wouldn’t destroy the surrounding skin or leave a dark spot after drying out the pimple. This is the perfect balance of effectiveness and gentleness,” writes one reviewer on Amazon.

“Benzoyl peroxide can be used to acne on all skin types, though it should be used with caution in those with dry or sensitive skin,” says Dr. Camp. If you have sensitive skin, it is a good idea to stick to lower concentrations of benzoyl peroxide and combine it with a moisturizer, says Dr. Zeichner. “For people who are generally dry or more sensitive, I recommend applying a moisturizer to the skin first to prime and hydrate the outer skin layer. Then apply the benzoyl peroxide containing product on top of it,” he advises. “This can help minimize potential irritation without affecting the penetration of the product. So long as you’re not using a heavy occlusive moisturizer, it should not interfere with penetration of the benzoyl peroxide side through the skin.”

We consulted Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, as well as Brendan Camp, M.D., a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in Manhattan and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. We also combed through countless ratings, reviews, and product specs to narrow down the best benzoyl peroxide products.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.