Benzaclin and Dryness: What Users Say

• cam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 31, 2016

For Acne "This stuff is amazing. I used it for 3 days and all my acne was completely gone. I went from 20 pimples to none in 3 days. The first day I used it morning and night the first night and found it was quite drying. I've found that one pump at night and just a moisturizer in the morning is perfect! This stuff is a miracle product! I recommend not using it all over your face after your skin clears up just as a spot treatment when needed."

• Alm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 12, 2015

For Acne "After years of adult acne, my family doctor offered me this to save me extra expense with a dermatologist. The results were immediate, and acne is no longer something I stress about. It is very drying, so I mix it with my nighttime moisturizer, and in winter, I sometimes have to skip a night, but I can't say enough good things about it!"

• Ale...
• January 4, 2016

For Acne "I had mild acne until I went on Benzaclin. Usually, 4-5 pimples at any time. After using Benzaclin for a week, I can say my acne has completely cleared up! I apply a thin layer all over my face. It is very tempting to apply more to troublesome areas, but additional product will only cause dryness. I still have red marks from where the pimples were, but am sure that within a month or so they too will be gone!"

• Cee...
• April 6, 2014

For Acne "Due to a switch to a generic brand of birth control by the pharmacist, my acne flared like a raging fire. I am almost 30, and it was painful and embarrassing. I have tried numerous topicals when I was younger, but this one is by far the best! I apply it to my face only at night. As recommended by my doctor, I mix my regular face cream with it to provide extra moisture! As a result, I have not had any of the mentioned face peeling/drying issues. I also spot treat my acne scars with Vitamin E cream, which makes them fade significantly quicker."

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2008

For Acne "Mild stinging definitely occurs, I felt like I had a sunburn the first few weeks of using this. Also, my face was super dry as a result of this medicine. On the bright side, though, I did see improvement within 2 weeks and that's what counts. So just get a thick moisturizer to reduce the stinging and the dryness and apply about 10 minutes after letting the Benzaclin soak in, then you'll be all set."

• Fin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 26, 2013

For Acne "When I used Benzaclin paired with a salicylic acid face wash and/or cream, my face would become dry, red, and the breakouts more severe. Murad was the worst offender, Clinique Acne Solutions also offered no relief. As a last resort, I bought a Mia face brush and used simple Cerave foaming face wash with it, along with spot treating with Benzaclin using a Q-tip. For the first time EVER, my face is 99% clear. Routine: a) wash face with Mia and Cerave Foaming Cleanser b) apply Benzaclin with Q-tip where needed c) wait 5 mins for it to soak in and apply light moisturizer d) PM: sleep or AM: apply makeup on top. I am a 25-year-old female with combination fair skin."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2012

For Acne "This is AMAZING. I was prescribed Benzaclin after my doxycycline stopped working. The first night I applied this, I had multiple zits on my chin, including a large cyst-like pimple. Normally, my cyst pimples can take several weeks to clear up. The next morning that I woke up, the redness and size of all of my zits were visibly smaller, including the cyst. Three days later, although a little dry, my chin is almost cleared up. I just add a little moisturizer after the medicine dries, and I apply makeup, and my confidence is back. I have not experienced any burning or stinging like I have read in others' experiences. I ONLY apply to the affected area, not the whole face. I HIGHLY recommend this product."

• cab...
• March 21, 2016

For Acne "I specifically asked for this prescription from my dermatologist due to all of the high ratings. I am very glad I did. I have been on Clindamycin solution for about three years, and it has stopped being effective, and that is why I switched to Benzaclin. It has helped my breakouts a lot, and my skin is mostly clear with an occasional breakout or two that go away in a couple of days. However, it is extremely drying the first 2-3 weeks. My skin was so dry I could literally feel my skin rubbing off in the shower. Also, avoid your eyes and your eyebrows. The skin around your eyes is way too sensitive for this product. Also, it lightly bleached some of my eyebrows. Nothing too bad, but I notice it. Overall, I would give it a chance."

• mak...
• March 31, 2014

For Acne "I'm 18. I've been using this since I was 11. This really helps me, hands down the best product. I always find myself running back to this product! I'm not even kidding right now. I broke out so much, and I finally bought it, and it works wonders. I tried so many products. You name it, I used it. This cleared me up, and everyone was complimenting how clear my skin was. I was once again confident! Then, after a while, when I was 17, I started breaking out again, but this time it was hormonal. They were painful acne, it hurt to move my face and everything, but thanks to Benzaclin, it changed everything. Yes, it gets real dry and itchy, but it's worth it because in the end you get beautiful skin."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2017

For Acne "I've been using this product for about 6 months now, and it is great. I noticed that it also prevents breakouts from happening, as well as getting rid of existing breakouts, and it also fades scars due to the bleaching effect. I would not recommend you use this around your eyes or on your eyelids, the product can make them puffy. Also, apply a very thin layer because this product is very drying! As an effect of drying out all the oils, causing clearer skin. Overall, this is a great product, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has acne."

• Ggg...
• February 1, 2016

For Acne "Had few breakouts until age 23. I broke out badly, graded moderate acne with some cystic. After two weeks, skin is healing and basically zero breakouts. I use it morning and night. Oil-free moisturizer 5 min after in the morning. Vaseline around eyes at night due to bad drying in that sensitive area. Benzaclin is legit. Wouldn't say I had oily skin before (would dry actually), but I had overproduction of sebum, and this simply eliminated that issue."

• Dan...
• January 17, 2014

For Acne "I got awful cystic acne freshman year of college. I became convinced that it was hormonal and that besides taking the birth control I was already on, there was nothing I could do. I finally went to see a dermatologist, and she prescribed me doxycycline and Benzaclin. The combination of the two yielded results in just a matter of weeks. I stopped taking doxycycline because at one point it got stuck in my throat and I got tonsillitis. It's only been half a year and my skin is completely clear! My scars are pretty much gone and my skin is even toned and smooth, finally! I highly recommend it. It's drying, but it works wonders."

• Rag...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 23, 2019

For Acne "People, this cream eliminated my acne problem by 95%. When I first applied it, I experienced dryness and redness. This side effect went away after several weeks. My skin is still oily, but the acne is gone. I have had my acne return twice for a brief period of two weeks before they were gone again. When you have acne, you have tried so many things, and nothing seems to work. You become skeptical. You then start trying things and ditching them after a week, believing they won't help. Stick to this cream, it will change your life. It is unbelievable."

• rit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2014

For Acne "I used this medication along with a benzoyl peroxide wash. I agree, it has worked miracles for me. I use them both at night and in the morning, and it is very drying. I don't mind that it dries my skin out, however, because it caused my skin to peel, which made my scars go away very quickly. Sometimes I avoid using the cream on my face in the morning and just put lotion on because no one wants their face peeling during the day."

• xMe...
• March 1, 2015

For Acne "So I'm 13 (almost 14), and I've had acne all over my face for almost a year. But strangely, it's not the normal little bumps everywhere, I get more large under-the-skin whiteheads. I tried Proactiv and Oxy, which just dried my face out completely, making things even worse. I also tried natural remedies, which also made my face worse. Then, a few weeks ago, I went to my doctor, and he prescribed me Benzaclin... miracle product!! It's only been about 29 days, and already I have no acne on my forehead, nose, and chin!! Anyone using this product, I recommend using Cetaphil's gentle cleanser (to counteract the dryness of the medication) and religiously wash your face twice daily, using circular motions (and drying with a new towel each time). :)"

• Anonymous
• December 30, 2010

For Acne "This is the most amazing product I've ever used in my life! I absolutely love it. I don't have any acne on my face, but I do get the occasional pimple. The problem area for me is my back and shoulders, and I've tried everything for my body, and this is the only product that cleared up my body acne. Although it's pricey and doesn't last very long, it's WELL worth it if you use it discreetly. When I use Benzaclin on my face, it clears up my pimples within a few hours! Now I hardly get pimples! But the downfall here is that my face gets dry, but it's gotten better now. I absolutely love this product."

• Rad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2017

For Acne "It's expensive, but it WORKS! My insurance covers it, so I basically had a risk-free try. I'll definitely be refilling my prescription. I bought Proactiv, and after a month, I was seeing the results I wanted, so my doctor prescribed this. I use it at night, as it can dry the face. I use Spectro to wash my face day and night. It helps with the dryness. But honestly, it's been a couple of weeks, and my present acne is already fading. I had maybe one zit come up, and it isn't all nasty, and it's shrinking. I highly recommend, especially if you have an oil problem."

• Adr...
• June 12, 2016

For Acne "So I started using it in February 2016, and I was using it completely wrong! I was putting it only in the area where I have acne, but putting way too much!! You only need a very thin layer. The amount I was putting on just that one area I now use all over my face. When I was putting too much, my face got so dry that it was really rough and crusty, and it only made it worse. I've been using it correctly now, and I haven't had any cysts for three months! However, I recently stopped using it for about a week and a half, and I got a new cyst! I thought I'd be okay to go without Benzaclin for a while, but honestly, I think I need it to never have a cyst ever again! Honestly, it really works for getting rid of cysts! It didn't work right away, though!"

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2018

For Acne "I've been using Benzaclin for 3 days now and can honestly say this works. I have bad hormonal acne all over my chin - painful cystic welts that hurt to touch. Also, my pimples take weeks to heal. This was prescribed until I can see an actual dermatologist. I was warned that it could be drying. Lucky for me, I have oily skin. My regimen: Night: Apply a super-thin layer all over my face and an extra tiny dot directly on pimples. Morning: I rub a super thin layer over my chin only (problem area). This really is great stuff. I highly recommend."

• Scr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2017

For Acne "Within 3 days, acne pustules and swollen skin had reduced and were not painful in my entire chin/jaw area. It's a bit drying, and my skin feels 'tight,' but that's easy to handle with applying extra moisturizer. I've been an esthetician for 20 years, so when adult acne showed up, I tried everything spa treatment-wise, but after 2 years of the pain, discoloration, constant breakouts, this is what my GP prescribed - I'm so thankful!"

• Jay...
• January 19, 2018

For Acne "Throughout high school, I had clear skin, then in my 20s, I started to develop very bad acne, particularly on my jawline. I tried many products, and nothing worked. Went to the doctor and got prescribed this. LIVE SAVER. Clears up acne VERY quickly and leaves skin smooth. Only downside is dryness, but that’s to be expected with a treatment like this. I would highly recommend it if you are struggling with painful pimples that don’t seem to want to go away."

• Tif...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 8, 2018

For Acne "I've had acne for years on my face, chest, and back. Benzaclin works great, but it can be drying, and it can cause peeling. After years of struggling to hide, or in some instances, even tweeze off peeling skin (because dry, scaly looks awful under makeup), I've finally found the ideal setup for me. I use Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour, and it is AWESOME. It conceals all peeling from my med but dries quickly and sort of slicks down anything there is due to the aloe in it, I guess."

• gon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 11, 2018

For Acne "I'm 33 and have had moderate acne for most of my adult life. The worst ones start really deep, so I can't pop them, leaving me with a dime-sized red mark until it gets to the surface. I've tried Murad, Proactiv, and over-the-counter stuff, but it made my skin flaky. Benzaclin took about 2 weeks before I saw results. It made my skin dry, but I increased the time between applying to every 36 hours, which helped. I get about one zit a week, but no more really deep ones. I use it sparingly, and it lasts 4 months. Highly recommended."

• Som...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2018

For Acne "I was prescribed this medicine by my family doctor. I have acne on my cheek and chin that have whiteheads and bumps. I decided to try it after I read all the great reviews about it. I have been using it for less than one week now, and it works great. I can tell that all the whiteheads have disappeared, and my skin started to heal. The only thing that made me give it 9/10 is that it dried my face, and my skin on the treated area is peeling off, so I have to use a moisturizer twice or three times in a row to feel comfortable. Other than that, it's working great."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2018

For Acne "I did not experience any redness or drying due to this medication, likely due to the fact that I was previously on highly concentrated benzoyl peroxide. Benzaclin helped my cystic acne and whiteheads on my forehead to practically vanish within a month (I still experience occasional cystic spots and plenty of blackheads). However, my cheeks and chin still experience frequent breakouts. The Benzaclin does help in a similar way to benzoyl peroxide by flattening marks quickly, but does not seem to have prevented future breakouts in these areas yet."