The 16 Best Benzoyl Peroxide Products to Kick Acne to the Curb

Best Overall

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

$23 at Ulta $36 at Target View on Laroche-posay.us

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, glycerin, lipo-hydroxy acid | Size: 1.35 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This is a top choice for New York City dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach, MD, who lauds it for pairing BPO with a lipo-hydroxy acid to help exfoliate the skin and clear out pores—it acts fast to heal zits and blackheads. Dr. Carqueville is also a fan of this dual-action and adds that it’s especially great as a localized treatment, given that it does have a slightly higher concentration of benzoyl peroxide. (To that point, many reviewers note that a little goes a long way, so one tube should last you quite a while.) Another bonus? It can also be used all over the face and solely on pimples that pop up.

Best Drugstore

Differin Daily Deep Cleanser

$8 at Amazon $10 at Target $10 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, glycerin | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This cleansing formula boasts a 5% concentration of a micronized benzoyl peroxide meant to penetrate deep into pores, killing bacteria and absorbing excess oil. At the same time, however, it also releases a gentle moisturizer meant to help balance your skin and prevent unwanted dryness. Reviewers repeatedly note how well it’s helped clear their skin, and the affordable price doesn’t hurt, either.

Best Mask

JORI Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask

$38 at Walmart View on Joriskincare.com

Key Ingredients: Micronized 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, saw palmetto, omega-3 fatty acids, linoleic acid, skullcap, zinc, niacinamide | Size: 1.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Powered by micronized 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, meant to sink deep into the pores to clear out and prevent blemishes, this lightweight, leave-on gel mask can be used as a spot treatment or over areas experiencing breakouts. According to the brand, it dries quickly and clear (although we personally can’t vouch for this, as we haven’t tested it on every skin tone), which may be convenient if you plan on leaving it on in the morning. Another option is applying it as an overnight mask before you head to bed. However, BPO is known to bleach fabrics, so you’ll want to be sure it’s fully dried before hitting the day—especially if your sheets aren’t white.

Best for Multiple Use, Daily

Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment

$23 at Amazon $24 at Sephora $24 at Paulaschoice.com

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, bisabolol, allantoin | Size: 2.25 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re currently breaking out or you’re just trying to keep your skin clear, this is a great option to add to your routine—just ask our Byrdie editors, who swear by it for clearing out pores. The featherweight lotion dries clear and matte and can be used on either face and/or body. It’s effective but gentle enough to use twice a day, thanks to the addition of soothing plant extracts meant to combat the dryness the benzoyl peroxide could cause.

Best Body Wash

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash

$9 at Amazon View on Ulta $10 at Target

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide | Size: 5.5 oz |  Cruelty-Free: No

Dr. Rabach and Dr. Carqueville both recommend this cleanser for treating body acne on areas such as your back, chest, and booty. Credit the foaming action, which makes it easy to apply all over these larger surfaces. It contains 10% BPO, which might be a bit too much on the face for some people, but is usually well-tolerated on the body, says Dr. Carqueville. The formula is also balanced with moisturizers to help prevent dryness.

Best Cleanser

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

$19 at Ulta $15 at Target $17 at Walgreens

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide, ceramides | Size: 5 oz |  Cruelty-Free: No

If your complexion skews towards sensitivity, it’s important to proceed with caution when it comes to any kind of potent skincare ingredient, BPO included. That’s why we appreciate this formula, specially formulated to be ultra-gentle on skin. It has that acne-fighting benzoyl peroxide, yes, but it also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing niacinamide, and three different ceramides meant to keep the skin barrier healthy and intact (the secret to minimizing irritation.) It goes on creamy but transforms into a foam; you still get that satisfying lather and clean feel that’s lacking with many other cleansers geared toward sensitive skin.

Best On-the-Go Treatment

DermaQuest DermaClear Spot Treatment

$44 at Dermstore $44 at Skinstore.com

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, willow bark extract, tea tree oil | Size: 0.17 oz |  Cruelty-Free: Yes

When a big ol’ pimple pops up at the least opportune time, reach for this guy. It pairs 10% benzoyl peroxide with popular blemish-fighters tea tree oil and willow bark, working to shrink your zit quickly. While it’s not the most hygienic packaging option, its convenient size and applicator make it easy to use anytime, anywhere; simply swipe the wand over said zit whenever needed. As far as we’re concerned, a spot treatment should always make your travel bag.

Best Splurge

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Therapeutic Lotion

$90 at Amazon $88 at Dermstore $90 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, squalane | Size: 1.6 oz |  Cruelty-Free: No

Those who are always looking for ways to minimize the number of steps and products in their routine will appreciate this one-stop skin-clearing shop. There’s 5% benzoyl peroxide in this lightweight, double-duty moisturizer, which absorbs quickly and tackles zits yet still feels hydrating. And yes, moisturizing is crucial for every skin type—even acne-prone! Use it once daily, topping it with sunscreen if you’re applying it in the AM. Yes, this pick is a little pricey, but many reviewers claim it's a great option for clearing up and preventing breakouts.

Best Fragrance-Free

Avène Cleanance ACNE Medicated Clearing Treatment

View on Ulta View on Aveneusa.com View on Fsastore.com

Key Ingredients: 5.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide, IBR-Dragon, Avene thermal spring water| Size: 1.3 oz |  Cruelty-Free: No

If you have sensitive skin, trying to find an acne product that doesn’t suck all the moisture from your skin and leave it red, angry, and uncomfortable can be tough. However, this BPO pick from Avène, a brand known for its calming yet effective formulas, might be a good option. It’s non-comedogenic (meaning it’s not supposed to clog your pores) and free of fragrance (an ingredient that can be touchy if you have reactive skin). Infused with the brand’s signature calming thermal spring water, the creamy treatment helps clear blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples quickly while soothing the skin in the process. Another one of our favorite qualities is that it mattifies the skin, which is especially ideal if you deal with oiliness on your T-zone on top of blemishes. Some reviewers note it can be drying (as many benzoyl peroxide-infused formulas can be!), so you may want to use this product sparingly until you see how your skin reacts.

Best Two-in-One

Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask

$10 at Target $10 at Walmart View on Neutrogena.com

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, glycerin, kaolin clay | Size: 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

“This is a great product because you can use it as either a mask or a cleanser,” says Dr. Rabach. If your skin is super sensitive or you’re trying to ward off future breakouts, use it as a cleanser. Otherwise, leave it on for five minutes as a mask (bonus points for the refreshing cooling sensation it delivers). Dr. Carqueville also likes this formula, noting that it contains 3.5% benzoyl peroxide, a good potency for use on the face. While we love its versatility and how it soaks up excess shine, it does include fragrance, which some may be sensitive to.

Best Extra-Strength

Clean & Clear PERSA-GEL10 Acne Medication

$6 at Amazon $6 at Target $8 at Walgreens

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Need a budget-friendly formula that doesn’t skimp on strength? This one boasts the highest concentration of benzoyl peroxide that you can get without a prescription: 10%. That can be a lot for some, so start by using it only once a day; you can gradually work up to three times daily if your skin can tolerate it. It’s also a good move to save it as a treatment for the smaller areas where you’re prone to breakouts, think the chin or forehead, versus applying it all over your face.

Best for Dry Skin

Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion

$56 at Amazon $56 at Sephora $56 at Nordstrom

Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, advanced liposomes, argan extract | Size: 1.7 oz |  Cruelty-Free: No

In case we haven’t made it clear by now, dryness is one of the most common side effects that can come with using benzoyl peroxide. That’s why we appreciate that this has a unique delivery system that gets the ingredient into affected areas without overdrying it. There are also ceramides to minimize water loss and further keep skin hydrated. Still, you should incorporate this treatment into your skincare routine slowly to see how you react—according to the brand, it can be used morning and night and up to three times a day.

Best Multi-Use

Urban Skin Rx Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment

$19 at Amazon $19 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, willow bark extract | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're looking for one benzoyl peroxide product that can do it all, try this pick from Urban Skin Rx. It works as an all-over acne treatment that can be applied to the face and neck daily, or as a spot treatment that can heal and shrink pimples overnight. Alongside 5% benzoyl peroxide is glycolic acid, willow bark extract, and niacinamide to banish blemishes for good.

Best Morning Treatment

Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Treatment

$14 at Target $9 at Walmart $17 at CVS

Key Ingredients: 2.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Not sure where BPO fits in your routine? Neutrogena’s Stubborn Acne line takes the guesswork out of the equation. This fast-absorbing, fragrance-free treatment is specifically designed for morning use (meaning after your cleanser and before your moisturizer and sunscreen) and is powered by 2.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide to clear pores and zits. In fact, according to the brand, it can help reduce blemish redness and size in about four hours. It pairs well with the brand’s Neutrogena Stubborn Marks PM Treatment, a retinol formula that targets dark spots caused by acne.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion-Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser

$13 at Target $16 at CVS

Key Ingredients: 2.6% micronized benzoyl peroxide, licorice root, zinc | Size: 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Working BPO into the cleansing portion of your routine is an easy way to simplify your lineup while still addressing breakouts. But if you have sensitive skin, finding the right cleanser (AKA one that doesn’t cause more irritation or redness) isn’t always the simplest, side-effect-free process. Enter: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion-Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser. Specifically made for those with sensitive skin, the cleansing formula utilizes 2.6% micronized benzoyl peroxide to clear pimples (and prevent new ones from popping up), as well as licorice root to soothe the skin. The daily cleanser also offers a shine-reducing perk, soaking up excess oil with the help of zinc.

Best for Aging Skin

Rodan+Fields UNBLEMISH Dual Intensive Acne Treatment

View on Rodanandfields.com

Key Ingredients: 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, pomegranate and chamomile extracts, ceramides | Size: 0.76 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This treatment from Rodan+Fields is made with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to fight breakouts but is balanced out with ceramides to provide moisture. Because of these factors, it’s a nice choice for anyone who’s looking to treat their acne and help reduce the appearance of signs of aging. (FYI, dryness can make fine lines and wrinkles more apparent.) It also works to reduce redness, which is a side effect that usually comes along with a fresh blemish. While the packaging is certainly pretty, to get the product’s full benefits, you need to use one to two pumps from each chamber, which some may forget when going through their routine quickly in the morning.