Skin Health Acne Treatment Best Bargain Benzoyl Peroxide Face Washes and Cleansers By Angela Palmer Angela Palmer Facebook Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 23, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Sheeren Jegtvig Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series (as Shereen Jegtvig). Learn about our editorial process Print Benzoyl peroxide is often the first over-the-counter (OTC) treatment choice for people with acne. An inexpensive face wash with benzoyl peroxide is especially helpful for mild cases of acne and can prevent pimples. Most acne treatments dry the skin to some extent, so overuse of these products could cause excessive dryness, peeling, and redness. You may wish to start with a single acne treatment product, and slowly add more if needed. This is especially true if your skin tends to be sensitive or easily irritated. Part of the battle in treating acne is finding products that work for you. You may need to experiment with several treatment products before finding one that improves your acne. So try not to get discouraged, and aim to be patient. If you aren't seeing improvement after several weeks of treating your acne with over-the-counter products, don't hesitate to contact your healthcare provider. Here are some benzoyl peroxide cleansers you may like that won't break the bank. Clean and Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser Photo from Amazon If you're looking for a basic cleanser, this one by Clean and Clear fits the bill. It contains 10% benzoyl peroxide, to help reduce the amount of acne-causing bacteria. Use it in place of your regular cleanser once or twice per day. This is a great cleanser to help reduce oily shine. It can dry your skin, though, so make sure you use an oil-free moisturizer every day. Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser / Mask Photo from Amazon Neutrogena has long been a skin care staple. This cleanser has a clean smell and leaves the skin feeling cool and refreshed. And don't think it isn't effective because it contains less benzoyl peroxide (3.5%) than other options. Oxy Maximum Action Rapid Treatment Face Wash Photo from Amazon The packaging directions recommend using two to three times per day, but that might leave you feeling really dry and flaky. You might want to start off using this product just once per day, and slowly work up to twice daily if your skin can handle it. You may also want to try Oxy Face Wash Sensitive, with 5% benzoyl peroxide. Frequently Asked Questions Is benzoyl peroxide safe? In general, benzoyl peroxide is considered safe to use for acne treatment, but it may not be appropriate for some people such as those who are recovering from skin cancer treatment or if you're pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use it. Learn More: Treating Pregnancy Acne Can benzoyl peroxide remove acne scars? Benzoyl peroxide can prevent serious acne that would cause scarring, but to treat scars that are already present, other treatments have been shown to be more effective. These include microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and dermal fillers. Learn More: What to Do About Acne Scars 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Academy of Dermatology. Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy? Northwestern Medicine. Acne Treatments. By Angela Palmer Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit