For most people, a 4% to 5% benzoyl peroxide face wash used once a day is the best place to start. Choose a cream or cream-to-foam formula if your skin is dry or sensitive, and a foaming 10% wash if your skin is very oily or you also want to wash your chest and back. Let the lather sit briefly before rinsing, use white towels, and check the lot number against our benzene tracker.
Benzoyl peroxide is one of only two acne treatments, alongside topical retinoids, that the American Academy of Dermatology’s 2024 guideline strongly recommends. It kills Cutibacterium acnes, the bacteria involved in inflamed pimples, and bacteria don’t become resistant to it the way they can to antibiotics. A wash is an easy way to use it, because it’s rinsed off, which limits dryness and bleaching.
We don’t test products hands-on. The washes below were picked using the criteria explained further down and the manufacturers’ published details.
Why choose a wash over a leave-on gel?
Leave-on benzoyl peroxide (gels, creams and lotions) keeps working for hours, but it’s more likely to dry the skin and bleach your pillowcase. A wash trades some contact time for convenience and fewer side effects:
- Less irritation for many people, since it’s rinsed off
- Easier on large areas like the chest, back and shoulders
- Less bleaching, provided you rinse well
- Fits a two-product routine, such as a benzoyl peroxide wash in the morning and adapalene at night
The trade-off is that a wash has less time to work. That’s where strength and contact time come in.
Which strength? 4%, 5% or 10%
The FDA’s acne monograph (M006) allows over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide from 2.5% to 10%. Higher isn’t automatically better:
- In a classic set of three double-blind studies, 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel reduced inflamed acne lesions about as well as 5% and 10%, and caused less peeling, redness and burning than 10%.
- Those studies used leave-on gels. In a wash, the product only touches your skin briefly. A 2022 lab study found that 5% and 10% benzoyl peroxide killed acne bacteria after much shorter contact than lower strengths, which is one reason stronger washes are common.
A practical rule: start with 4% to 5% on the face, and consider 10% if your skin is oily and tolerates it, or for the body. Is 10% better than 4% or 5%? Not necessarily on the face; our comparison of benzoyl peroxide 2.5% vs 5% vs 10% goes through the studies.
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How we chose these washes
We don’t do hands-on testing, rank products with scores or publish reviews. We looked for washes that:
- List benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient in the Drug Facts panel, within the monograph range of 2.5% to 10%.
- Cover a range of strengths and textures, so there’s an option for dry, sensitive, combination and very oily skin.
- Leave out fragrance or are described by the maker as unscented or fragrance-free.
- Are widely available in the U.S. at drugstores and major online retailers.
- Don’t appear on the FDA’s March 2025 recall list for benzene, as of our last check. (See the benzene section below for how to check your own lot.)
No company can pay to be included. We may earn a commission if you buy through a link; the disclosure at the top of this page explains how that works.
Benzoyl peroxide washes worth considering
Gentler options for dry or sensitive skin
CeraVe
Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
- Active ingredient
- Benzoyl peroxide 4%
- Size
- 5 fl oz
- May suit
- Dry, sensitive or combination skin that finds foaming washes stripping
Why it's here
- Moderate 4% strength in a creamy base
- The maker lists hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides, and describes it as fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
Things to know
- Bleaches fabric: rinse well and use white towels
- May still dry the skin at first; start once a day
PanOxyl
Acne Creamy Wash 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Daily Control
- Active ingredient
- Benzoyl peroxide 4%
- Size
- 6 oz
- May suit
- People who want a low-foam, everyday 4% wash for the face
Why it's here
- A lower-strength partner to PanOxyl’s 10% foaming wash
- The brand describes it as pH-balanced with added humectants and emollients
Things to know
- Bleaches fabric
- Like any benzoyl peroxide product, check the lot against our benzene tracker before buying and store it somewhere cool
Differin (Galderma)
Daily Deep Cleanser
- Active ingredient
- Benzoyl peroxide 5%
- Size
- 4 oz
- May suit
- A morning wash to pair with adapalene (Differin Gel) at night
Why it's here
- Mid-range 5% strength
- Pairs naturally with adapalene, which is stable alongside benzoyl peroxide
Things to know
- Smaller bottle than most competitors
- Bleaches fabric; rinse well
Maximum OTC strength for oily skin (and the body)
PanOxyl
Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide
- Active ingredient
- Benzoyl peroxide 10%
- Size
- 5.5 oz
- May suit
- Very oily skin, and acne on the chest, back and shoulders
Why it's here
- The highest strength the OTC monograph allows
- Works as a face and body wash, so one tube covers both
Things to know
- More likely to dry and irritate the face; many people use it only on the body
- Bleaches towels, sheets and clothing
- Like any benzoyl peroxide product, check the lot against our benzene tracker before buying and store it somewhere cool
CeraVe
Acne Foaming Cream Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide
- Active ingredient
- Benzoyl peroxide 10%
- Size
- 5 fl oz
- May suit
- People who need 10% but want a creamier texture
Why it's here
- Maximum OTC strength in a cream-to-foam base
- The maker lists hyaluronic acid and niacinamide in the formula
Things to know
- Still 10%: introduce it slowly on the face
- Bleaches fabric
| Product | Strength | Texture | May suit |
|---|---|---|---|
| CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser | 4% | Cream-to-foam | Dry or sensitive skin |
| PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash | 4% | Creamy | Everyday face use |
| Differin Daily Deep Cleanser | 5% | Wash | Pairing with adapalene |
| PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash | 10% | Foam | Oily skin; chest and back |
| CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash | 10% | Cream-to-foam | Oily skin wanting a creamier feel |
How to use a benzoyl peroxide face wash
- Start once a day. OTC benzoyl peroxide labels tell new users to begin with one application a day and increase only if needed. Many people use it in the morning.
- Wet your face with lukewarm water, then massage a small amount over the areas where you break out, using your fingertips rather than a washcloth or brush.
- Let it sit briefly. The American Academy of Dermatology advises leaving a benzoyl peroxide wash on the back for two to five minutes. On the face, start with a shorter time, around a minute, and build up if your skin is comfortable.
- Rinse thoroughly, including your hairline and jaw, and pat dry with a white towel.
- Moisturize. A fragrance-free moisturizer helps offset dryness. See our guide to moisturizers for acne-prone skin.
- Use sunscreen. OTC benzoyl peroxide labels advise avoiding unnecessary sun exposure and using sunscreen. Our sunscreen guide for acne-prone skin has lightweight options.
How often should you wash overall? In a small randomized trial, washing twice a day with a mild cleanser led to improvements in blackheads and whiteheads, and washing only once a day was linked with more inflamed spots later in the study. Washing more than twice a day didn’t add benefit. Using benzoyl peroxide for one wash and a gentle cleanser for the other is a common approach.
Building a routine
- Simple: benzoyl peroxide wash in the morning, moisturizer and sunscreen; gentle cleanser and moisturizer at night.
- With a retinoid: benzoyl peroxide wash in the morning, adapalene gel at night. Adapalene is chemically stable alongside benzoyl peroxide.
- With tretinoin: keep benzoyl peroxide to the morning. Standard tretinoin breaks down when mixed with benzoyl peroxide under light. Our Differin vs tretinoin guide explains why.
- With salicylic acid: possible, but the label warns irritation is more likely with more than one acne drug. If you want both, a salicylic acid cleanser at night and benzoyl peroxide in the morning is one option.
Check your full routine with our free ingredient conflict checker.
Side effects and safety
Dryness, peeling and redness are the most common side effects, especially in the first weeks and at 10%. Cut back to every other day if they’re bothersome.
Bleaching. Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing agent. Labels warn it can bleach hair and dyed fabrics, so rinse well and use white towels and pillowcases.
Allergic reactions are rare but serious. In 2014 the FDA warned about rare but serious hypersensitivity reactions to OTC acne products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Stop using the product and get emergency help if you have throat tightness, trouble breathing, feeling faint, or swelling of the eyes, face, lips or tongue. Stop and ask a doctor if you get hives or itching. The FDA suggested applying a small amount to one or two small areas for three days when using a new product, to check for a reaction.
Benzene: what to know
Benzoyl peroxide can break down into benzene, especially when stored hot. In March 2025 the FDA announced it had tested 95 benzoyl peroxide acne products: more than 90% had undetectable or extremely low benzene levels, and specific lots of a small number of products were voluntarily recalled. The FDA described the risk to consumers as very low.
To keep risk low:
- Look up your product and lot number in our benzoyl peroxide benzene tracker.
- Store washes somewhere cool, not in a hot car or a steamy spot in direct sun.
- Throw out expired product.
For the full background, read benzoyl peroxide and benzene: what the testing found or check your lot number against our benzoyl peroxide recall list.
When a wash isn’t enough
Give a benzoyl peroxide wash about 8 to 12 weeks alongside a sensible routine. If you’re still breaking out, adding a retinoid such as adapalene is the usual next step. See a clinician if you have:
- Deep, painful nodules or cysts, or acne that leaves scars or dark marks
- Acne that hasn’t improved after about 3 months of OTC treatment
- Pregnancy, or you’re under 18 and acne is inflamed or leaving marks
Our free acne treatment quiz can suggest whether to keep going with over-the-counter care, consider an online service (adults only), or see a dermatologist in person.