RateItAll: The Opinion Network

I started this medication when I was a teenager, about 12/13 years old. At the time, I had bad acne; red bumps all over my face. However, once my dermatologist prescribed me Benzaclin, I saw AN IMMEDIATE change. My face was clear! Suddenly, people were complimenting me on my flawless skin. I loved the way the product worked. I did not see many cons with the product until about the second year that I was using it. Gradually, my skin became EXTREMELY dry to a point that no lotion would help me. Also, I was scared to stop the Benzaclin and have horrible acne once again. After the dryness, I noticed my acne was starting to come back again. Now, almost 3 years on the medication, my acne comes back periodically. However, it is no way NEAR how bad it was when I was in my teens. Sadly, I am off the medicine and trying Retin-A Micro. Hopefully, I will get the clear skin I have so wanted for all of my life. For anyone wondering if they should try Benzaclin, I recommend talking it over with your dermatologist. They know skin best, and they know what they are doing! Tell them your fears and they can prescribe you a medication that will be perfect for your needs.

I have black skin and my results with the product have been mixed. I have been on benzaclin on and off for a little over a year. When I started using it, I was amazed! The drying effect of the product did wonders to eliminate my super oily skin and removed every sign of acne I had. However, after about three months, the product seemed to stop working. The oil started to return slowly, then I was attached by a rage of tiny hard pimples and blackheads all over my face and the area under my chin. I had never had anything like this happen before. My skin got progressively darker, such that my face and neck were about 2 shades darker than my chest and shoulders. I was a mess! The pimples had a quick turnover - it only took about 2 days for them to get hard, dry up and leave black scars in their wake. I stopped using Benzaclin, but the battle raged on. I tried over the counter stuff, but nothing worked. After 2 months of the shame and insecurity of such horribly battered skin, I reluctantly returned to Benzaclin. The little bottle of wonder worked again...for about 3 months, and here I am again in the same place. One word to describe where I am...Frustrated!

I have used Benzaclin several times and it works great for me. I see so many people here complain about dry skin and irritation even swelling.I hope everyone knows that you are supposed to rub it in not leave it on. Also, you are not supposed to use it on your whole face, just the acne area. Hope that helps.

Hey! I've been using solodyn, benzaclin, and ziana for 24 hours now and I am quite pleased! The larger pimples on my face are almost gone! However, it seems as though I have a lot of tiny little zits all over. I'm going to try to be optomistic and say that the medications are bringing the bad stuff up and out! My dermatologist did say that it could get worse before better...

I have been using Benzaclin for about a year and a half to two years now, and I'll say this: Benzaclin is not very affective in clearing skin of acne, but it is very affective in preventing future breakouts. I would know because I took a break from Benzaclin for a couple weeks after some acne would not leave my face and I had a huge outbreak, this outbreak continued until I used Benzaclin again and then it stopped and my faced cleared a little. Other than that, the only cons are: Dry skin. Possible bleached Clothes.

I only give this product a star rating of two because it creates other problems. My 13 year old daughter was on Benzaclin for eight months. She had break out in the T-zone are with rednes. We decided to use this product when her pediatrician recommended it. Within two weeks it cleared her skin and the skin was back to being beautiful. However, after 4-5 months I noticed she got one pretty big pimple on her cheek that would take forever to go away. A month or so after that she got another big bump on her nose. Once that cleared her skin stayed clear until the eighth month mark. Then on one of her cheeks she began getting these huge bumps that got bigger and bigger. These all looked like clogged pores to me. I was getting irritated so took her to a dermatologist who said she had clogged pores. He put her on the Differin Gel. We are now five weeks into this product and we hope to begin seeing results soon! I am a little leary of all these medical products because I am not convinced they work long term. I do believe the Benzaclin helps in some ways but creates problem skin in other ways as with the clogged pores. I believe pores are meant to breathe and keep the oils flowing in order to keep the skin healthy. If this product does not help I will probably return her to the Skinceuticals and Mark Lees line of products that she was using before because at least I know they are gentle. Some of these medical products are just too harsh for some skins to take and I do wish the dermatologists would recognize that.

I started using Benzaclin around Christmas of 06, and it worked and I was acne free for months until my prescription expired in late October and my mom didn't renew it for over a month. All of my acne came back. When I finally go the benzaclin again, I noticed it working immediately, but all of my acne wasn't gone for about a month. Even so, it was much better all throughout the healing process. I peeled off the dead skin each night, which made it look much better. I took it off with tweezers and even tape for the really peely parts. My skin peeled a lot with it, but I have extremely dry skin. In order to counter act the dryness, I rubbed an entire pump of "Curel" lotion into my face every day. I have always had very very dry skin, and it helped a lot! Aquaphor (by Eucerin) also helped a lot for the really really dry places, but it's not noncomodegenic, so I only use it around my mouth and eyes. Well, I hope that all of that helped someone at least, sorry for rambling though.

this is one of the more gentle products i've ever used. it did OK, but eventually, the really nasty BIG pimples came back, as did the black heads. i recommend DUAC topical gel!!!

I used Benzaclin over 1 year ago.

I am now using it again. I luv this stuff and my skin looks great. I would recommend it to anyone.

I am hot!

I have suffered from acne since the age of about 14. I am 27 now and my husband and I decided to try and start a family. So, I went off the pill. I had pimples while on the pill, but nothing like what happened when I went off it. I ended up with cystic painful acne. I thought I was just going to have to deal with it because I didn't think there was anything safe to take or put on while you're pregnant and/or trying. I soon couldn't take the pain anymore and went to the doctor. She prescribed Benzaclin. I noticed results right away. I am pleased with the results of the product for the most part, however I do have very dry skin now. Before I had the oiliest skin ever. The dry skin is worth it I thought. It's either that or a face that literally hurts with acne. BUT, now I've noticed wrinkles that were not there before on my forehead. Just my forehead, which is also the area that responded best to the product, all signs of pimples are gone from there. I'm to young for wrinkles aren't I? I think it's just a result of the dryness. I've been using this product for about 8 weeks. Now, I'm afraid I'll have to choose between clearer skin or wrinkles. Has anyone else experienced wrinkles? I'm confused about if I can and when to use a moisturizer with this product. Tonight I skipped the Benzaclin and just put on moisturizer. Perhaps a mistake, but I'm freaking out about the wrinkles. Any ideas or experience you can share, I would appreciate it.

I just started using Benzaclin yesterday. I tried Proactive for about a week (a month ago) and the red burning skin and little bumps that it caused had me stopping the use ASAP. So I went to a dermo and he gave me the Rx for Benzaclin. For whatever reason he was very fast with me and didn't go over side effects or really discuss it at all. When I got home and read that it can bleach your hair and/or clothing I was so upset. I put it on last night, let it dry, then put on moisturizer and was terrified that I would wake up today with a tye-dyed pillow case. It doesn't seem to have bleached it and I did the same this morning and my shirt didn't get bleached but I'm still concerned. I have auburn hair and if I get it in my hairline and my eyebrows..YIKES...I don't want them to end up blonde. Has ANYONE had a problem with the "bleaching" side effect of this? Not knowing is almost enough to make me not want to even continue using it..someone help.

i am currently using the same benzaclin in the mourning and retin a in the evening and am experiencing the same painful cyst and small pimples and wondering if u found an answer or solution?i also have oily shiny skin and am 8 weeks in this treatment and wondering when to find results??

I noticed an immediate difference right away as it helps dry out and reduce the time of current pimples while also reducing the amount of new ones. Like everyone else the redness and burning irritated the hell out of me, but thankfully I figured out the reasons behind it! First, when I started it my skin became dried out so I immediately put on moisturizer for relief. Burning and irritation occured all day, especially when I ate food. I did research and found out Mixing Anything with benzoyl peroxide can cause this. Heres the solution:
1.) Wash face with mild soap and pat dry
2.) apply benzaclin evenly avoiding sensitive areas (for me close to my lips)
3.) WAIT 10 minutes (Just bear through having dry skin for a little bit) then you can apply moisturizer for relief, also use sunscreen if going outside because bezoyl peroxide strips your skins natural spf.
Hope this helps others, it helped me!

I have terrible cycstic acne and I've tried almost everything except accutane, which I was about to get prescribed until the derm gave me this. The Benzaclin cream was prescribed to me in the morning, and I am using Ziana (clindamyclin phosphate and tretinoin) cream at night, with doxycyclin pills and a benyzol peroxide face wash, and yasmin at the same time. Ive been on yasmin for a month and started developing white bumps all over the bottom of my face and neck, I dont know whether it was bringing all of my acne out or what, but since I started using BENZACLIN the past two days, the bumps and pimples are drying out and going away. This stuff burns like a mother, makes my skin red, dry and flaky, but I know I have to hang in there for at least two weeks. I can feel this medication working by the hour. Im not sure if the pills or ziana are working bc I dont feel the same effects, but I will keep posted.

ive been using benzaclin for about a month now along with duac and i have to say that i think it does work but it works slowly. the first weel was hell beacuse u can feel the meds penetrating ur skin and it itches like crazy but i think u have to use it a while to work

it works pretty good although i still have some acne after using it for 4 months but it has improved my skin

ok so i'e been using this stuff for almost a week now and im miserable...my face is SUPER dry, IRRITATED, and RED...people think i went to the beach...i haven't lost hope i'm trying to hang in there but it's hard..i just want to shove my face in a bucket of ice....any suggestions please email me @ shaki818@yahoo.com...please i need all the positive feedback i can get i'm about to get off this stuff.....on the good side it's keeps me oil free...at least that...

I had a breakout on my chin, and my boyfriends aunt gave me a little tube of it and it works great after just a week I can see a huge result. I'm so thankful for Benzaclin bc prom is less than 2 weeks away, and it has worked a miracle for clearing my face.

I was prescribed benzaclin and it worked great!! It didn't dry out my skin and it works quickly. I have mild acne and it was a lifesaver for me. I would recomend it to everyone. I'm black and mexican and i have very oily skin. the only drawback is that my insurance makes me pay 60 bucks for it every month. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!

DO NOT USE BENZACLIN...i dont know whats in it ..but i put it on my face before i went to bed..the next morning when i woke up...my FACE & EYES were SWOLLEN. I looked as if i was in a fist fight. I mean, it was terrible..my eyes were practically swollen shut..and its now 3 days later, and my face is still swollen. Its terrible..trust me..DONT USE THIS PRODUCT!!

I have tried every product under the sun...proactive, tetracyclyin, differin, and many other dermatologist recommendations. Nothing helped long term. Like many others I turned to tanning, which only offered short term results before my skin worsened. My sister started Benzaclin and her skin was perfect, I tried it and it has been the only thing that works. I gave up all my other expensive products. Use cetaphil as a face wash and use Benzaclin morning and night. Night time is the most important time to use it. I stopped tanning because my skin had cleared and looked smoother than ever. For those who still want color I recommend mystic tan, it doesn't damage your skin and doesn't look orangy and it doesn't breakout your skin. It gives that extra glow to my skin. My skin is clearer than its ever been, the only time I begin to see a few breakouts is if I sleep in my makeup and skip a few nights of benzaclin. I would recommend this product to anyone who has suffered with breakouts.

When I tunred about 24 I began to break out around my chin. It was ugly and it was bad. I never had a problem with acne beyong the normal "zit" before my monthly cycle. This was different and destroying my face. I would have lines of pimples and of course I would pop them and some left ugly scars. I tried Pro-active it helped a little. Then I started tanning and that seem to do the trick as it does for most. The following year was even worst. My chin was covered and they were starting to crawl up my face like never before. I finally broke down and went to a Dermotologist. It was winter and I wasn't tanning anymore, so I wondered if that would help. The doc started me on Doxyclycline, Differin, a Cleocin topical, and Cephlexin. The topicals made me face oily; however, the Cephlex seemed to do the trick. The pimples cleared up within a day. However, a wonderful yeast infection followed. As soon as I would finish my 3 wk cycle of treatment my zits would aggressively return. Finally, I went back to him begging for the Cephlex and he claimed it was not something I could take long term. I accepted this and then he took a radical approach and prescribed a drug used to treat TB and another serious antiobiotic. Due to the possible side affects, I never took either one of them. I finally went to another Derm. who prescribed Benzaclin. I used it for about a month and it did nothing. However, I was not using it properly. I was applying the cream like I would a spot treatment, not thouroughly rubbing it in. But as soon as I started to massage it into my face, I saw immediate results. This cream is amazing. And it cleared my face dramatically. It even worked without tanning. My skin looks perfect as if I never had the pimples and even the scars are gone. I also wash with Dove soap (the white bar) that's it. Nothing else, no harsh scrubs-nothing. Then I pat dry my face and apply my new best friend. Also, the cream only has a 3 mos life cycle. So use it generously or it will waste. I have no side affects what-so-ever and it feels so light and smooth on my skin. I even apply it before my makeup. I love this stuff! Again the key is application. Rub it in and make sure you don't see it on your face. This has truly made a difference! Good luck to all of you!

Read the book The Acne Cure by Dr. Dubrow. I was using benzaclin for 6 weeks and nothing really happened, but as it explains in the book, you actually have to ice your face to calm your skin so the medicine works. I've had acne for a while now and nothing was working but now it's really clearing up in just a few weeks after reading this book. go get it now!!

it takes it a while to work about 3-4 weeks. Relax and use a sunscreen with it for daytime and moisturize at night if using the same medication. You will be fine. I promise! I used it for almost a year with Dove facial cleanser(non-comedegenic)or Olay foaming cleanser. Both facial cleansers were Sensitive Skin formulas (less ingredients of facial cleanser it best without all the fragrances) Use Sensitive Skin Formulas like Dove or Olay. I recommend these products because they are good also known as body washing products and are sensitive for the entire body without drying your skin out or robbing it of its natural oils needed for glow and radiance. Well, good luck with Benzaclin I was using the 50 mg when I first started it. Benzaclin 50 mg -daytime & Retin-A cream -evening before bedtime w/o going outside (Retin-A is for bedtime not for daytime use) this regimen worked out great along with plenty of H2o water and exercising 2-3 times a week removing toxins.

I got a prescription for this and haven't started using it just yet. My doctor also prescribed doxycycline for those of you who want to try an oral antibiotic, that one might work. As for facial washes and moisturizers, I stick with Aveeno and Cetaphil. Both are non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), and Aveeno has the added benefit of being oil-free, fragrance free, and hypoallergenic amongst other things. Great brand. For all with acne, just remember, if it doesn't say non-comedogenic, its not for you!!

I just received a prescription for this today and haven't started yet, but wanted to share something on the Duac vs. BenzaClin debate. They are the exact same medication. Both drugs contain the same ingredients at the same doses: clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5%.

I am 29 years old and did not have acne as a teenager. My acne has just recently started within the past year. I have learned that it may be stress related. But I started using Benzaclin about 10 days ago. Dr. said to use it am and pm and I did that for maybe 3-4 days. Way too drying and itchy when used like that. I started using liquid clean & clear soap for sensitive skin am, add a little oatmeal lotion and apply make up as normal. At night use the same liquid soap, apply benzaclin lightly to areas that are prone to breakouts, and on an existing pimple. Don't use near nostrils, eyelids, or very close to lips. Then use the oatmeal lotion liberally, then dab a hydroquinone lotion just on red areas leftover from zits that have healed. This slowly lightens the past breakout marks. Now my skin looks clearer, smoother and is actually less oily compared to before I used the lotion. My face was oily before I came up with this regimen, now it's not. I used to have to use those oil-blotting sheets 1-2x a day and now I haven't used one in a week. I found out about benzaclin from an ad in a magazine. I tore it out and showed it to my reg dr. ( not derm ) and he said that he's had good results with it and he checked out my skin and said it should work well. My insurance luckily pays for most of it or I wouldn't be able to afford it. I reccommend giving this a try, it work for me, and other people have noticed a difference too. Good luck to all! Hope some of this helps!

I am 21 and have had acne since I was about 14 or so, and after trying accutane (4 times!), several other prescription drugs, that Proactive stuff, and a load of other prescription and non-prescription topicals, I have found one thing that works, and Benzaclin is it. I use it at night before bed and yes, it does dry my skin out quite a bit, but usually by morning it's perfectly fine again. I have seen a dramatic decrease in breakouts and my skin is smoother and clearer than it has been in years. I use it in combination with Ovace face wash, and it works miracles.

i am 32 going on 17. i have mild acne that goes in weekly cycles. one week clear, one week bad, one week ok, one week clear. i have been using this product for about a year. i would say it works better than anything i've used in the past. i've tried almost everything. i'd like to try an oral prescription and work on my acne from the inside. anyone have any recommendations? i've asked my pharmacist and doctor and not gotten much response. this stuff is expensive too! i used nutrogena soap and moisturizers but found my skin became immune to those. cleanse, pat dry, benzaclin, moisturizer = oily face. i am going to continue to use this until i find another product. you all may want to check into tea tree oil products sold at the body shop. i used the scrub for oil and blemish control, works well. trying the facial wash and pure tea tree oil for spots. not impressed with those yet, but the scrub works nice. anyone can email me with an oral treatment i'd be greatful. flyinhornets@yahoo.com thanks, and good luck.

I put this on my face and as it dried it left a white film. I could not get it off and had to go to class with this gross chalky stuff all over my face. It made my whole face red and itchy and didn't work at all on my acne. If your doctor tries to give this to you, ask him for something else. This stuff is gross.

I have to admit that when my Derm prescribd this medicine for me I was quite skeptical. He prescribed me Duac last year and it really didn't do anything more than dry out and irritate my skin very badly. I have only been using BenzaClin for about 2 weeks now, so this review may be a bit premature. The first few days were the worst! This medicine made my skin burn and turn red. But, I kept using it and shortly there after my skin adapted to it. This prescription has made my skin exceptionally clear and smooth. It made a nasty zit I had go away in about 2 days with absolutely NO scarring! The only thing I don't like about this Rx is the fact that it expires SO quickly. But, luckily my derm gave me 2 very generous sized sample jars of this. Overall, worth a try. Just make sure to use a good moisturizer with this if it dries you out.

this stuff was awful to my face. It made my face tight as if I had a face lift or something, and it made my face scaly, also I accidently got some on my upper eyelids and the next morning my eyes were SWOLLEN!! I had high hopes for this medicine, but I think it was the benzoyl peroxide that made it so bad for me. I knew that I was allergic to benzoyl peroxide but I thought my face could handle it since it was such a low percentage in the medicine. Oh well.

The below post of Laura23 is a liar. If you read her comments, she was using duac before benzaclin (click on her name and check). This person is a plant for the company. Take everything on this board with a grain of salt and decide for yourself. Better yet, ask your doctor to the PI (prescribing information) on both drugs. See for yourself which one is better

This medicine is mediocre! It's mixed at the pharmacy so the last 2 times I've received it it's been a different mixture. Also, I get the medicine all over my fingers and under my fingernails when I use it. Why didn't they put it in a tube? In addition, it's been very drying to my skin!! I told my dermatologist and he switched me to something called Duac Topical Gel. He said all his patients are getting that now instead of Benzaclin. He said it's less drying,more convenient and a lot less expensive! I'm going to pick it up tomorrow. We'll see!

This product has worked wonderfully for me. I've been using it for 9 months along with Retin-A micro and Plexion. I haven't gotten any cysts since I've started using it, and while my skin isn't totally clear, it's a lot better than where I've started from. The things I don't like about it is that it expires so quickly (2 months) and it smells slightly rank before it drys. Watch out, like all things with Benzyl Peroxide it will bleach your clothes/pillowcase. Note: I had moderate acne with the occasional evil cyst.

I have been using this product since November of 02. Works great! Better than Retin-A anyway, which always left my skin very red and shiny. Not to mention the fact that it seemed to make my breakouts worse! Benzaclin leaves my face dry throughout the day and takes away the oily shine. When I say dry I dont mean overly dry either. I keep mine in the refridgerator, it seems to last longer and stay stronger. Makes a great spread for crackers too, yummy!

It dried my face awfully and made my skin burn and bacome extremely red...but it also could of been because of the moisturizer i used afterwards that had SA in it but overall i did not like it because it dried my skin out too much and i hated it

I have been on Benzclin since March of '03. The first jar worked wonders and lasted less than 2 months (the shelf time). When I got the 2nd jar it worked just as good, then the 3rd and the 4th started to work less and less. I think my skin must have gotten immune to the medicine. Its still a great product for someone like me who has cystic acne and nothing else (including Retin-A) has ever worked!! I was told to drink lots of water and green tea during the day and put the green tea bags on my cysts because of the antioxidants in the tea bags... seems to work ok.

I have been using this product for 2 years and it works very well. I get many compliments on my skin. I used to have moderate acne, mainly in the T-Zone, but not any more! The product does expire 2 months after purchase, however it is available in 25ml containers which lasts just about 2 months (as opposed to the 50ml container). I highly recommed this product!

very effective in preventing but the effects are gradual.

I never had acne during my teenage years, but once I hit my early 20s, I began forming bumps under my skin. Those bumps led to cysts and I tried everything from Retin-A (made my acne worse) to Proactiv (did absolutely nothing but dry up my skin) to cure them. I have only been using this product for a week- and already I have seen dramatic improvement in my skin. I know it is probably too early to tell, but Benzaclin seems to be working really well for me (and I didn't experience any substantial drying effect). Everybody is different- but I strongly suggest giving Benzaclin a shot!

VERY drying, and it didn't work for me- at least not by itself. The jar expires in 2 months, and it's near impossible to use up that amount in under 2 months! I found myself throwing away jar after jar, even with my twice a day application- wasting a lot of money and medicine... and it didn't help much.