Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength Skin Clearing Treatment | 5%

I've been using benzoyl peroxide on my face for over twenty years through prescriptions from dermatologists. It's great that I can now buy it over the counter, and this brand worked fine. You should know it's not a spot treatment. It's a treatment you use each morning on acne-prone skin. If you're oily, you can use Differin each night as well. Differin and benzoyl peroxide are the common treatments for adult, cystic acne. You should know that this will color your towels, as it has a bleach quality to it.

10/10

This product has been a lifesaver for my adult acne. Wish I would've tried it sooner. It has helped heal the acne I already had and so far my breakouts have decreased by at least 80%. It's super lightweight, doesn't leave any type of residue. It makes my skin just a tiny bit dry, but lotion afterwards will fix it. I use it every other night, alternating with my retinol. The combo has made a wild difference in my skin in just a few weeks. It has also worked wonders on my neck acne. I get stress acne on my upper neck and it has cleared up so much. Very happy with the results in such a short time. I am bad at keeping consistent when a skin routine doesn't show results, but this product works!!!

Finally!

I have struggled with adult acne for years and have tried many highly rated products, but nothing has worked before. As soon as one breakout was finally starting to clear, another would start and since some of the products I was using were so strong, the irritation just made my breakouts worse. This product has finally stopped that frustrating cycle.I apply this for two nights and on the third night give my skin a rest, and wow what a difference. My skin feels so much more balanced and I haven't had any painful breakouts in over a month (I have been using this for about two months). Even better, I am now able to more effectively use chemical exfoliants without burning or stinging around problem areas, so my overall complexion is starting to even out. I haven't ... MoreI have struggled with adult acne for years and have tried many highly rated products, but nothing has worked before. As soon as one breakout was finally starting to clear, another would start and since some of the products I was using were so strong, the irritation just made my breakouts worse. This product has finally stopped that frustrating cycle.I apply this for two nights and on the third night give my skin a rest, and wow what a difference. My skin feels so much more balanced and I haven't had any painful breakouts in over a month (I have been using this for about two months). Even better, I am now able to more effectively use chemical exfoliants without burning or stinging around problem areas, so my overall complexion is starting to even out. I haven't experienced any irritation with this product.A little background that may be helpful- I already knew my skin reacted well to benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment so I wasn't too concerned about the extra strength. Also, I much prefer this over a benzoyl peroxide face wash because it is so much easier to control the staining (I do sleep with a white pillowcase, just in case though). I recommend giving this a try!

Helped regulate skin

I have had severe acne since puberty, with combination skin (very oily in some places, very sensitive to drying in other places). Recently, I began a regimen using the CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser, the Skin Balancing Pore Reducing toner with Niacinamide, the Clear Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide, EV olive oil for moisturizer (the only thing that combats the drying of acne treatments, reduces inflammation, and heals my acne scars), and the Skin Balancing Oil-Absorbing mask ONLY during the summer months when my skin is more oily than usual. I use this regimen once a day in the evening during the winter and twice a day during the summer. I also began drinking homemade kefir regularly. I *believe* (it is so hard to know for sure) ... MoreI have had severe acne since puberty, with combination skin (very oily in some places, very sensitive to drying in other places). Recently, I began a regimen using the CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser, the Skin Balancing Pore Reducing toner with Niacinamide, the Clear Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide, EV olive oil for moisturizer (the only thing that combats the drying of acne treatments, reduces inflammation, and heals my acne scars), and the Skin Balancing Oil-Absorbing mask ONLY during the summer months when my skin is more oily than usual. I use this regimen once a day in the evening during the winter and twice a day during the summer. I also began drinking homemade kefir regularly. I *believe* (it is so hard to know for sure) that the kefir has worked to prevent new acne from forming, and this regimen helps regulate my skin and deal with acne that does form. Now, when acne forms, it stays manageable. I haven't stopped getting acne, but it is significantly improved. I remember when I couldn't apply products to my face without dealing with a minefield of acne -- since beginning this routine, I only deal with one or two acne spots at a time and the feeling of freely running my hand over my entire face without dodging breakouts is normal. That hadn't happened in a long time!

It's Good, Not Great

I used this product for 6 years and it definitely helped my very persistent acne. While using it religiously with the extra strength salicylic acid exfoliant, it kept my acne mostly at bay and the combo helped get rid of my cystic acne almost completely. Unfortunately after coming off of birth control this wasn't cutting it anymore for my hormonal acne, so I decided to try another brands BP that contained better ingredients (**for my skin) and I realized their same strength BP did much better on my oily hormonal acne prone skin. So, this product is a great choice and the price point is the best I've found among the high quality brands, but for those with more stubborn acne there are better options for BP products and I recommend searching Dermstore (they have all ... MoreI used this product for 6 years and it definitely helped my very persistent acne. While using it religiously with the extra strength salicylic acid exfoliant, it kept my acne mostly at bay and the combo helped get rid of my cystic acne almost completely. Unfortunately after coming off of birth control this wasn't cutting it anymore for my hormonal acne, so I decided to try another brands BP that contained better ingredients (**for my skin) and I realized their same strength BP did much better on my oily hormonal acne prone skin. So, this product is a great choice and the price point is the best I've found among the high quality brands, but for those with more stubborn acne there are better options for BP products and I recommend searching Dermstore (they have all brands that are recommended by dermatologists and many of Paula's products are on there as well!) and checking out the ingredient info.

Only thing that helps with my severe PMS acne

I've always had pms acne but for the past two years it has gotten worse. My acne flares up bad like reallyyyy bad a week before I start my period and I've tried everything to help ease the redness at least but nothing worked up until I came across this baby. Now I only get like 2-3 pimples but for me that's nothing because I'd literally break out like crazy all over including my neck. This thing is a life saver and I now feel comfortable going out with a fresh face no more covering up acne with concealer. If you're like me who has sensitive skin and gets bad pms acne, then I recommend this product here!!!

Saved me from adult acne

I love PC products and not sure why i never considered their acne treatments before! I bought this as a last hope to my adult acne. I initially thought it was a face wash so I put a light amount on my face every night, wait a few minutes then wash it off. I saw result's immediately, my acne was clearing up. I realized its a product you leave on so I tried that once and my skin didnt react well. So I just use it as a light second wash for my face and it works wonders! Love it

So far, so good.

I ordered this product on a whim, I actually thought I was ordering a face wash because that is what I googled searched when I clicked on this product. (I know, lol I should've read more carefully). HOWEVER, I am very very very glad I purchased this even if it was accidentally. I have been suffering terribly from postpartum acne for nearly a year, and it left me extremely self conscious about my skin because NOTHING and I mean NOTHING I was using worked. Along with the fact that I am still breastfeeding and I'm sure my hormones are just punishing me. About a month and a half I started using bezaclin because it was the only thing I felt comfortable with using while still nursing, but if you're familiar with it, it is VERY expensive for a small amount but it was ... MoreI ordered this product on a whim, I actually thought I was ordering a face wash because that is what I googled searched when I clicked on this product. (I know, lol I should've read more carefully). HOWEVER, I am very very very glad I purchased this even if it was accidentally. I have been suffering terribly from postpartum acne for nearly a year, and it left me extremely self conscious about my skin because NOTHING and I mean NOTHING I was using worked. Along with the fact that I am still breastfeeding and I'm sure my hormones are just punishing me. About a month and a half I started using bezaclin because it was the only thing I felt comfortable with using while still nursing, but if you're familiar with it, it is VERY expensive for a small amount but it was giving me better results than previous products. I happened to be at my last when I received this item from Paulas Choice and was like hey why not once I got over the confusion of "what is this?. lol I never leave reviews but this time I had to because this actually works. it has minimized my acne a lot, and hopefully continues to do so. It doesn't leave me irritated at all and does not try me out which I love. this is the first acne treatment product that soothes my skin. I have terrible scarring, so if there are any suggestions I would love them.

The only product that got rid of my acne

I'm a Skin Consultant and have tired so many different brands and products, even thoroughly going through inci lists but I had no luck until I decided to try this. This is the only product that has gotten rid of my super annoying and painful acne. I rarely ever get breakouts anymore and my skin looks/feels super smooth! At first, this product would irritate my skin but the irritation would only last a few minutes after applying and eventually my skin got used to it. Now, there's no irritation after application and I can use it nightly. I only use a dime size amount and I put it on my cheeks, chin and forehead. I find if I use a big blob of it, it can dry/irritate my skin and I don't ever use it in the morning. I use The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid, then the Paula's ... MoreI'm a Skin Consultant and have tired so many different brands and products, even thoroughly going through inci lists but I had no luck until I decided to try this. This is the only product that has gotten rid of my super annoying and painful acne. I rarely ever get breakouts anymore and my skin looks/feels super smooth! At first, this product would irritate my skin but the irritation would only last a few minutes after applying and eventually my skin got used to it. Now, there's no irritation after application and I can use it nightly. I only use a dime size amount and I put it on my cheeks, chin and forehead. I find if I use a big blob of it, it can dry/irritate my skin and I don't ever use it in the morning. I use The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid, then the Paula's Choice Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide and I finish with the Cerave Moisturizing Cream. This has been the perfect routine for my sometimes dry, sometimes oily acne prone skin.

havent used for very long but...

when i was a teenager a dermatologist from Boston reccomended the pan oxyl face wash. i remember liking it and feeling like it worked, but it was harsh and as an adult i switched to totally natural products made with essential oils and no chemicals/preservatives. i find that the natural stuff does work, but doesnt totally clear up my skin. i need more- something a bit stronger, in addition. so i searched for a benzoyl peroxide serum i could incorporate into my natural skincare routine. i dont like that this has tetrasodium EDTA or phenoxyethanol in it, but i decided to compromise on that and use it anyways. my acne is very painful so, i really needed something. i first wash my face with a handmade cleanser (manuka honey, aloe gel, hemp seed oil, green clay, & ... Morewhen i was a teenager a dermatologist from Boston reccomended the pan oxyl face wash. i remember liking it and feeling like it worked, but it was harsh and as an adult i switched to totally natural products made with essential oils and no chemicals/preservatives. i find that the natural stuff does work, but doesnt totally clear up my skin. i need more- something a bit stronger, in addition. so i searched for a benzoyl peroxide serum i could incorporate into my natural skincare routine. i dont like that this has tetrasodium EDTA or phenoxyethanol in it, but i decided to compromise on that and use it anyways. my acne is very painful so, i really needed something. i first wash my face with a handmade cleanser (manuka honey, aloe gel, hemp seed oil, green clay, & essential oils), then i tone my skin (witch hazel, aloe vera juice, jasmine hydrosol, elderflower hydrosol, essential oils), then i use this benzoyl peroxide serum, then i hydrate with a solution i made (hemp oil, sacha inchi oil, & essential oils of: blue chamomile, blue tansy, calendula, manuka, frankincense, bergamot, & benzoin), and then at night i will also apply a blue tansy beauty balm for extra hydration.i am crossing my fingers that this serum is the missing piece that will now get rid of my acne!