6 Best Benzoyl Peroxide Products to Stop Acne in Its Tracks

ProsAddresses acne without drying out skinThe texture of the wash is lush and creamyConsIt doesn't foam up like other acne washesAll skin types—not just oily—can struggle with acne, but those with dry skin often deal with a unique conundrum: Most acne products containing benzoyl peroxide dry skin out, leaving you with flakes. This creamy wash is the exception. Not only does the lush wash kill acne-causing bacteria, but it also replenishes your skin barrier in the process with a mix of humectants and emollients. Essentially, you get all the acne-fighting benefits without worrying about dehydrating your skin.One Cosmo editor says: I use this face wash three-ish nights per week (more when I'm about to get my period), and it's truly the number one thing that keeps acne at bay. Since I implemented this into my routine, my breakouts have done a 180. And at the four percent concentration, this creamy wash doesn't dry out my skin, either.—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITORFeatures at a glanceStrength4% benzoyl peroxideFormatCleanserSize6 oz.ProsKills acne-causing bacteria with micronized benzoyl peroxideUses strong surfactants to break down oilConsThe product has a slight chemical smell Stubborn acne got you down? This 5 percent benzoyl peroxide wash reaches deep into pores to clear out whiteheads, blackheads, oil, dirt, and acne-causing bacteria. And you get that invigorating squeaky clean feeling with each use. Make sure to work up to daily use, though. Because it utilizes a high percentage of benzoyl peroxide, start washing with this two to three times a week so your skin can build a tolerance against the drying active. (And be sure to supplement with an oil-free moisturizer!)One Cosmo expert says: “This is an excellent cleanser with 5% benzoyl peroxide. It treats acne breakouts while supplementing the skin with moisture to help reduce dryness and irritation.”—BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST, DR. DENDY ENGELMANFeatures at a glanceStrength5%FormatCleanserSize4 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsZaps pimples and acne-causing bacteriaHelps to smooth skin textureConsCan bleach your pillowcase if you use overnightWhen you notice a big, red, mean pimple forming, dabbing this strong spot treatment can help make it disappear almost overnight. The star ingredient—benzoyl peroxide—clears out bacteria, while glycolic acid exfoliates the area, and kaolin clay sops up excess oil to prevent future breakouts. Once you start using this, you’ll forget you were dealing with any pimples in the first place.One Cosmo editor says: “I use this spot treatment every single time I have a pimple. It helps reduce some inflammation and redness, making my zit go away in a day or so. I just dab it on at night (or sometimes all day while I'm working from home). Just be careful: Benzoyl peroxide can bleach your pillowcases, so I sleep on ones I don't care about messing up when I'm using this.”—BGFeatures at a glanceStrength5% benzoyl peroxideFormatSpot treatmentSize1 oz.ProsHighest over the counter concentration of benzoyl peroxideWorks quickly to clear out acne-causing bacteriaNeed a quick fix to a pimple that cropped up before an important event? Then it’s time to bring out this spot treatment. It contains the highest percentage of benzoyl peroxide available over the counter—10 percent!—to stop zits in their tracks. Dab a bit of the treatment on the affected area, and you’ll start to see improvements within a day. It works almost like magic.One Cosmo expert says: “This is a great option for localized treatment. It is no frills, and I find it quite tolerable.”—BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST, DR. DANNY GUOFeatures at a glanceStrength 10% benzoyl peroxideFormatSpot TreatmentSize1 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsCan be used on face and bodyDoesn't dry out skinConsNot as strong as other benzoyl peroxide products on our list.If you deal with acne on your face and body, here’s a PSA: You don’t need to buy separate products to treat it. This dual-acting wash works on your face and body, with a low percentage of benzoyl peroxide. While gentle, it still effectively kills bacteria and gradually helps to clear skin without leaving it tight or dry in the process.One Cosmo editor says: “I love this face and body wash specifically for my body. It's a low dose of benzoyl peroxide at only 2.5 percent, so it doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry at all. I keep it in the shower and suds up once a week or so. Even amidst weekly hot yoga classes, I rarely get body breakouts now.”—BGFeatures at a glanceStrength2.5% benzoyl peroxideFormatCleanserSize6 ozProsNon-dryingVelvety smooth formula clears out blackheads and whiteheadsConsExpensive for a small tube (but worth it!) Acne products don’t always feel medicinal or sterile—Vivier proves that acne care can be luxe and spa-like with this treatment lotion. It acts as a spot treatment (with a ~fancier~ name) and beyond clearing out acne-causing bacteria, it also improves skin clarity and texture. Dab a small amount on your pimples before going to bed, and they’ll look significantly better by morning.One Cosmo expert says: “This 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion is an effective treatment for pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. It’s designed to be used directly on breakouts to help clear the skin and prevent new blemishes from forming.”—DR. ENGELMANFeatures at a glanceStrength5% benzoyl peroxideFormatLotionSize1 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhat are the best benzoyl peroxide products?Benzoyl peroxide can be found in a variety of skincare products, including cleansers, spot treatments, and serums. All formats are effective at clearing out acne-causing bacteria, but Dr. Engelman says the best benzoyl peroxide product for you depends on your skin type and how much acne you’re dealing with. “People with oily, acne-prone skin may benefit from all-over products to treat and prevent breakouts on an ongoing basis. Those with normal, sensitive and/or dry skin may find washes and serums too irritating, and instead choose to rely on a spot treatment or gel for individual blemishes as they appear.”Analyze your skin: Are your blemishes cropping up in clusters all over? Or do one or two random zits appear occasionally? Dr. Engelman says that cleansers are a great option for the former, because they “provide all-over treatment to the area being washed.” Keep in mind that they’re typically not as strong as a spot treatment or serum.“Serums also provide all-over treatment that remains on skin for a long period of time, allowing benzoyl peroxide to penetrate more deeply,” Dr. Engelman adds. “Spot treatments/gels typically provide the strongest dose of benzoyl peroxide, and are designed to offer fast-acting, targeted treatment to active blemishes.”What does benzoyl peroxide do?“Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient that treats acne by killing bacteria beneath the skin’s surface,” shares Dr. Engelman. “It can also help reduce future acne breakouts by preventing pores from clogging.”While benzoyl peroxide is effective at treating all types of acne—including blackheads and whiteheads—Dr. Engelman says it’s best at treating inflamed acne, like pimples and cysts.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowDoes benzoyl peroxide remove blackheads?It can, but it’s not the best treatment specifically for blackheads. “Salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, and retinoids are typically best for treating blackheads,” says Dr. Engelman.Is it okay to use benzoyl peroxide every day?Much like other actives, benzoyl peroxide can potentially cause irritation, including dryness and flakes. Because of this, Dr. Guo recommends starting slow. “Use a benzoyl peroxide product two to three times a week at first,” he says. Dr. Engelman also suggests starting with a product that contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. “You can increase the concentration and frequency gradually over time as needed,” she says.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowHow to choose the best benzoyl peroxide product:Consider the concentrationBenzoyl-peroxide products come in different strengths—from 2.5 percent to 10 percent—but know this: A higher concentration doesn't necessarily mean better results. According to the International Journal of Dermatology, 2.5 or 5 percent benzoyl peroxide often works just as well as 10 percent benzoyl peroxide, just with fewer irritating side effects. So as a rule, always start off with a low dosage, and work your way up once your skin can tolerate it and/or needs it.Factor in your skin typeChoose your benzoyl-peroxide formulation—cleanser, serum, or spot treatment—based on your skin type. If you have dry skin, try a cream cleanser with hydrators like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. But if you have oily skin, try a foaming cleanser with stronger surfactants that help break down oil. Sensitive skin, however, should def only use low concentrations (like 2.5 percent), or stick with spot treatments and weekly serums to help reduce the likelihood of irritation.Meet the experts:Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, double board certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York City.Dr. Danny Guo, MD, is a double board-certified medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologist in Calgary, Canada.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhy trust Cosmopolitan?Mary Honkus is a contributing beauty editor for Cosmopolitan with more than eight years of experience in the beauty industry. She loves testing new products, especially skincare. For this story she asked team Cosmo for their favorite benzoyl peroxide formulas and consulted with dermatologists to learn more about the acne-fighting ingredient.Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.