Acne.org Regimen Review: Thoughts After 6 Years of Using it
Our skincare brand is live!
After five years of writing research articles on Simple Skincare Science, we have developed our own products based on the content written around this site. To place an order simply go to Malezia.com, or follow us on instagram for updates!Ā We hope you have a great day š
Being that I used the Acne.org RegimenĀ for approximately 6 years, I think I’m the perfect candidate to review it and give some insight on what I like about it, and what I think could be improved upon.
Don’t believe I used it for 6 years? Here’s a photo of all the empty containers I’ve collected thus far.
Check for discounts on Amazon!
And that isn’t even all the containers! I couldn’t find a few of them, but you get the point.
In case you’re wondering ā no, I’m not a hoarder. I simply take photos of everything for documentation purposes. Throughout the years I’ve grown sick and tired of “beauty gurus” trying to sell people quick fixes and “overnight” success.
Hint: there is no such thing. Read my article about how to treat acne to find out why.
You gotta admit, it’s also oddly interesting that these same people always claim they once had “terrible skin” without providing proof. I on the other hand lived through the struggle, and had skin affect my life in more ways that I wish it didn’t.
Anyway, without further ado, let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
What is the Acne.org Regimen?
It’s basic 3 step approach to clearing acne involving a cleanser, treatment, and moisturizer step. Realistically, a regimen set up in this fashion can clear up 90% of people. The trick however, and where most people fail, is not using the right products tailored to their unique skin. More about this in a bit.
The Acne.org Cleanser.
A very basic and mild formula. Throughout the years this has remained one of my favorite cleansers for a couple of reasons:
- It’s pH balanced, which is incredibly important for overall skin health. Don’t know why? Read my guide:Ā Why the pH of Skin and Products Are Crucially Important.
- It cleanses the skin well without over drying the face. By the way, you should NEVER have the squeaky clean feeling after a cleanse. If you do, you need a new cleanser. Avoid that feeling at all cost. Don’t know why? Again, read my article on pHĀ to find out.
- There isn’t anything unnecessary in this cleanser. No benzoyl peroxide, no salicylic acid, no sulfur etc. These ingredients can be beneficial but they are generally less effective in face washes.
The Acne.org Treatment.
The cornerstone of the Acne.org regimen, and what’s really pulling the weight in terms of clearing acne. This is just a very basic 2.5% benzoyl peroxideĀ gel.
In my opinion, this is the strongest topical acne treatment available today. And most dermatologists agree, considering it’s the second most prescribed acne medication in the world,Ā with its uses dating back 50 years.Ā (1,Ā 2)
Benzoyl peroxide is an organic compound with very strong antibacterial properties, capable of reducing acne-causing bacteria by 97.5% in just 5 days! (3)
It’s also a very effective keratolytic and comedolytic agent. (4, 5) Those are just the fancy science terms for saying it sloughs of dead skin and unclogs pores.Ā And unlike antibiotics,Ā benzoyl peroxide doesn’t cause bacterial resistance overtime. (6, 7)
However, itĀ does come with the major caveat of being super irritating. For example, it increases the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, in addition to often causing dryness, peeling, or red skin. (8, 9)
All the more reason you need to be using a moisturizer that will repair damage done to the moisture barrier and acid mantle. (More about this in the next section.)
Something I really appreciate about the acne.org benzoyl peroxide, is it’s cost effectiveness. This is unmatched in the skincare market. I have yet to find another benzoyl peroxideĀ as cheap as this one considering how much product you actually receive. The researches and skin experts at Paula’s Choice agree, concluding that an 8 oz bottle of this stuff should last you upwards of a year. (10)
As an aside, some people are a little hesitant about using benzoyl peroxide because of its potential to induce free radicals, but in all honestly if someone needs it to clear their acne then so be it.
For many people, this isĀ the only thingĀ that works. And in my opinion, the potential atrophic scarring and chronic inflammation acne may cause is far more damaging longterm than any nefarious effects of benzoyl peroxide.
However, if you’re deeply concerned about the side effects of benzoyl peroxide, make sure to check out my article onĀ how to reduce its irritation. There are some awesome tips in there!
All in all, I think theĀ Acne.org TreatmentĀ is solid as hell and probably the best benzoyl peroxide available today.
The Acne.org Moisturizer.
And this is where it all goes downhill…
Ever wonder why the acne.org moisturizer has appallingly bad reviews? There are two reason:
1. Moisturizers are the most subjective part of a skincare routine, so it’s harder to reach a broad consensus across a large group of people.
A pH balanced cleanser and treatment step are fairly standard parts of a skincare routine, and their outcomes across many different skin types are predictable.Ā Moisturizers ā not so much.
Why?
Part of the reason is that there isn’t much research on different moisturizers. You will find it very hard to come across studies focusing solely on one brand or lotion. And if you do find them, they’re generally funded by the same skincare companies trying to profit from those products.
I would say that finding the right moisturizer is theĀ hardest part about a skincare routine intended to treat acne. If you have one, you are golden, and already more than halfway there!
2. The Acne.org moisturizer formula isn’t that impressive.
Let’s take a look at the full ingredient list.
Water, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Methyl Gluceth-20, Squalane, Saccharide Isomerate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, PEG-12 Glyceryl Distearate, PEG-23 Glyceryl Distearate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
- Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (a.k.a Jojoba Oil)
A plant oil characteristically similar to human sebum. In comparison to other oils it has a very long shelf-life, which makes it a convenient ingredient to formulate into cosmetics. (11) It’s an effective emollient that’s been shown to increase skin suppleness by about 50% after a single application.
- Squalane
An oil with excellent emollient properties.
- Sodium Hyaluronate
Another humectant that functions the same way as Squalane. However, this one is way more powerful and capable of holding up to one thousand times its water weight! It’s so effective at hydrating, it often causes a “plumping effect” that reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and shallow atrophic scars, in addition to speeding up the wound healing process.
Related reading:Ā Hyaluronic Acid for Skin: Literally EVERYTHING You Need to Know!
- Licorice Root Extract
A plant extract that’s gentle and calming to the skin. It helps treatĀ hyperpigmentationĀ by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the production of melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color), and is good for red or sensitive skin.
- Panthenol
A.k.a. pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5. It increases skin hydration, enhances barrier function, and may be an effective treatment for dermatitis. I’ve also had experience with this in case you don’t know what it looks like.
- Tocopheryl Acetate
Better known as vitamin E. An antioxidant with some minor ability to treatĀ hyperpigmentationĀ by inhibiting tyrosinase. Studies on mice have also shown it helps heal wounds.
The Takeaway.
So overall, it’s a decent formula but not nearly potent enough toĀ counteract the irritating effects of benzoyl peroxide. To really address these potential adverse side effects (dryness, peeling, redness), you should be looking for a moisturizer that has skin-identical and repairing ingredients. In other words, something that will go a long way in maintaining the health of theĀ moisture barrier and acid mantle.
In my opinion, I think people should avoid the Acne.org moisturizer altogether, and opt out for something way better like CeraVe PM or CeraVe Cream. I have done extensive reviews on a lot of the CeraVe products, and even wrote a buyer’s guideĀ about their top four moisturizers.
All of them have skin identical and repairing ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, and hyaluronic acid which will go a long way in counteracting the side effects from benzoyl peroxide.
And no, I’m not sponsored by CeraVe. But let’s be real, if they’re reading ā yo, HOOK IT UP!
Because the skin may become excessively dry on the Acne.org regimen,Ā CeraVe CreamĀ (full review) andĀ CeraVe PMĀ (full review) are great options.
And last but not least, I don’t like the Acne.org moisturizer because the application of it is awful. Just awful. Check out what I mean.
It’s hard to tell from the photos, but it literally leaves you looking like you have jaundice (yellow skin), and like you’ve been working a couple overnight shifts as a fry cook. :p
Be warned, this stuff makes you look like an oil slick. It never seems to sink in (especially with the amount Dan recommends you use), and leaves behind the worst yellow residue on the skin. Not something I found enjoyable at all.
Summary.
Check for discounts on Amazon!
TheĀ cleanser andĀ treatment step are great! I can’t recommend them enough. In my opinion, they are very solid products and will do a lot in maintaining the skin’s healthy pH and treating acne. To this day, I still think theĀ Acne.org Benzoyl PeroxideĀ is unmatched in the skincare market in terms of its efficacy and cost effectiveness.
But the Acne.org moisturizer…. well, that has someĀ serious flaws. I don’t find the ingredient list all that impressive and useful for counteracting the irritating effects of benzoyl peroxide, and the application of it is simply awful.
I think people are way better suited looking at different options for face lotions. I highly recommendĀ CeraVe CreamĀ orĀ CeraVe PM as an adjunct to the acne.org regimen.
Welp, that does it for this review! Hope you’ve enjoyed it and found it useful. The Acne.org regimen saved my ass a teenager when I was going through acne, so give it a shot.
Warmly,
āf.c.
Hi, I had been using the Acne.org BP treatment for approximately 4 years. Half a year ago I decided that I should stop because I don’t want to be dependent on it if I want to get pregnant in the future, plus I got lazy with my skincare so my skin was looking very dehydrated and makeup would not sit well and always looks cakey. My skin went bonkers after 3 weeks of stopping BP cold turkey, I get hundreds of tiny little comedones (which I’ve never experienced before) and it gradually progress to deep cystic acnes.
I’ve scoured the internet for information regarding stopping BP after long term use, and most of them (90% actually) did not end well, everybody experienced extreme backlash from stopping it. No one ever reports that their skin eventually got better, usually after 3-5 months they gave up, went on accutane or went back to using BP. People on Reddit would tell me that ‘oh, your skin hasn’t grown out of the acne phase, of course stopping treatment would do that’ and I get that, but this type of acne is completely different in nature with the one I had before BP. I think long term use of BP did something to your skin, it changes the structure of the sebum production or make your skin unable to defend itself against bacteria or whatever, I’m trying to figure it out but people refuse to even consider that BP can actually cause some semi if not permanent change (or damage) to your skin. I truly believe that BP (long term use) cause our skin to NOT outgrew our ‘acne phase’. There are plenty of stories in acne.org forum about people who are just as frustrated as me, some of them use proactive and experience the same frustration. Please let me know what’s your opinion on this, thank you! Love your blog!
HYDRATION! I feel like such a dummy after treating my acne for 15 or so years that probably my main problem was my skin being dry and moisture barrier being compromised. I used the acne.org regime for years and hated using the lotion because of the reasons you described. So I just used it infrequently which in turn caused problems with the bp. I find myself saying, IF ONLY!!! so many times. If only I knew back then what I knew now I could have gotten my face under control sooner or with less scarring. I’m enjoying reading through all your posts. I’m sure you are helping countless people figure out their skin care. And the thought of that makes me so happy.
I actually really like the moisturizer especially when paired with the jojoba oil. When I was using prescriptions acne meds; my dermatologist recommended CeraVe & Cetaphil for moisturizes & cleansers. Both of which I HATED!!! The acne.org cleaner & moisturizer are simple but somehow exactly what I personally needed.
My son will be trying Acne.org for the first time. Had I read your review before I ordered, I would have saved myself some money and not purchased the moisturizer. Have you tried any “natural” moisturizers…ones that don’t have ingredients like parabens in them. I have looked at the “Yes to Tomatoes” moisturizer but wondered if it would be strong enough to counteract the drying effects of Benzyl Peroxide or it it would make him breakout. Any thoughts? Thank you.
Hello! I was on Proactiv 10 years, and been on Acne.org for 2 years. I have nailed down that benzoyl peroxide at 2.5% is the perfect amount. I’ve tried higher and my skin is not happy. BUT, sometimes I still get some small bumps and flakiness. I really want to ween myself off of using benzoyl peroxide, but truthfully is there any alternative? My skin is definitely addicted. On a postive note, I only use it at night now. Let me know if you have a blog post on this somewhere, I’m really getting desperate. I just purchased the 10% AHA from acne.org since it says it should help with flakiness. But, I’m starting to see the effects of long term use of BP.
Hi! Your pictures have REALLY shown progress! There’s so many pictures out there with people that have 1 or 2 pimples here or there, claiming this product CHANGED THEIR LIFE, but they had such clear skin to begin with.. Anyways, it’s been a month since I’ve been using Acne.Org, and it really cleared up my active breakouts, but my main problem is (what I’ve been dealing with 6 years) is my acne scarring. I have TERRIBLE acne scarring, and I scar mostly on my cheeks which is SUPER apparent. I have a mix of surface box scars, rolling scars, and ice picks. I have LOTS of hyperpigmentation as well. I’ve started using Dan’s AHA, and it’s only been about 2-3 days so I know results aren’t immediate. However, I searched how to clear acne scars and people suggesting Hyaluronic Acid or Vitamin C serum as well. What is your opinion on this? Do you have any recommendations for any acne scarring? Have you had acne scarring and tried other products, adding onto the regimen? I’m desperate for answers to clear up my acne scarring and end this 6 year battle between me and my skin!
Hi, I love the moisturizer. I used to do the whole acne.org regimen. Now I only use the moisturizer. I bought 2 16 oz. bottles to get free shipping and they have lasted me 2 years. I don’t cake it on in a thick layer. After I wash my face with Dove soap, I put on a thin layer, let it absorb then add another thin layer. Because I’m using such thin layers it wouldn’t color my skin. It’s translucent. What I like about the moisturizer is how it fully absorbs into my skin and has a higher water content which is great for older skin. A lot of other moisturizers leave a waxy layer on top of my skin and that makes make-up slide around and not adhere to my skin. I have very sensitive skin so can’t use lotions with perfume or harmful chemicals. This acne.org moisturizer has a lot of natural ingredients and does not give me an allergic reaction. I love the smell. The only things I don’t like about the lotion are that it’s expensive and the little bit of lotion left in the tip end of the pump will harden and will have to be thrown away each time I use the lotion..
Hello,
I’m nearing the end of week 2 of my acne.org regimen and I’m really trying to stick closely to following the instructions to achieve the best results but due to my inconsistent work and life schedule it hasn’t been easy. Were you able to follow the regimen to a tea or did you ever have a “cheat day” (Ex: only able to apply the routine once when you should be applying it twice)? I’ve had a few days this week where I was only able to apply the products once and today I’m noticing a lot of stinging which I haven’t felt since early on in week one. I read your post on how to reduce BP irritation and I’m interested in just applying it until it dries then washing it off shortly after that. Do you think that’s a bad idea if I’ve just started acne.org?
Hi! Great review but i’m kind of confused on one thing. You said you follow the regimin to a T but you said the 8 oz bottle of BP can last you upwards of a year?! I’ve been using the regimin for about 3 years and i subscribe monthly. Those 8 oz. bottles are gone for me in about a month of following the steps. Am I using too much? Also I will take you up on trying a different moisturizer. This regimin saved my life but since I have such oily skin, i still get a couple zits here and there.
Hello,
Great post. I was looking for someone who was using this regimen for a long time and had a positive response as there are a few negative reviews about it too. I wanted to know when did you stop using the regimen? Did you breakout after you stopped? Or are you still using it?
I have been using the regimen for a year and it has literally saved my skin and I hope that it wouldn’t lose its effects
Hey there,
Your website is awesome. It is wonderful to read your information and reviews after long, sustained periods of usage. I really appreciate it. *silent tears while thinking of how the skincare industry is normally riddled with snake oil salesfolks*
My question – I stumbled across the acne.org regimen last night and, consequently, your website when looking for independent reviews. I’m not so interested in the facial acne regimen as the (dreaded) body acne regimen. Have you tried that with any results?
Follow-up question: what would you recommend for someone with oily skin trying to battle back/body acne? (I’m Asian-American, legit issues with hyperpigmentation from acne scarring on my back, blegh). My face acne is all right, so long as I don’t use any magnifying or lighted mirrors š OR, maybe more generally, would you consider writing acne skincare guides for various skin types, or maybe a post distinguishing between treating face/body acne (if such a distinction exists)?
My backstory: doctor put me on PanOxyl (10% benzoyl peroxide–if I go back to needing BP, I’ll tone it down to 2.5%) and clindamycin, which didn’t work… for an entire year. I’m going to stop using the BP shower wash and switch to PH-balanced washing only, then perhaps incorporate a moisturizer, then go for some active ingredient product, following the “how to build up a routine” steps you outlined. I guess I’m mostly confused that BP doesn’t *appear* to dry out my skin or cause sensitivity, unless my bacne itself is caused by the BP… but I also had rampant bacne even when doing nothing. Le sigh. It feels like sometimes accutane will be inevitable, both because I’m getting too old to still deal with acne and because nothing has worked.
Anyway, about to go into round 5,000 (or so it feels) of acne battle experimentation, but armed with the guides and products you’ve suggested! Thanks so much for maintaining this website.
hello it was so helpful reading your review.i am going to start my regimen soon and wanted to ask you should we use the regime while sleeping or sleep bare faced.
hi, i’ve used acne org regimen for almost 2 years and my acne is subsiding. Is it possible for me to add serum every night and if yes, should it be after the benzoyl peroxide and before the moisturizer? Thank you.
Hi!
I ordered the Benzoyl Peroxide product from acne.org after reading so many great reviews on several websites, including yours. But, I do have one question. I am currently using the Cerave PM Moisturizer, which was also has been a discovery for me after reading your article about it. And, recently I bought a 100% Rosehip Oil (Organic, Cold-pressed with CO2, which corresponds to the highest quality of rosehip oil), that I want to add to my moisturizer or apply it afterwards.
So, I would like to know if it safe to apply all these actives (Benzoyl Peroxide, Niacinamide (Cerave PM) and Retinoid/Vitamin C (Rosehip oil) at the same time.
Thanks š
Hello! I just started this regimen (using the Acne.org cleanser and benzoyl peroxide with CerVe Am and PM moisturizers) and have found that once putting on the AM moisturizer my skin begins to flake. Am I not giving the Benzol perozide enough time to completely dry? Or should I be using something else? I would appreciate some help, thanks!
I am all the way in Nigeria and mu acne got so bad that I had to order it. I am at my third year of using this and I agree with you on the moisturizer. I think I will be getting the jojoba oil with my next order cuz mu skin is feeling very dry…
Maybe ordering the jojoba oil can help with moisture. I will add it to my next order.
Hey there
So you were able to come off BP after six years with no issues?
Great post! Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I was wondering if you know at all if I want to add a serum to my regimen, should I add it before or after the BP?
Hi, this was a very helpful article as I just purchased my first order of acne.org regimen. I actually already have a small tub of the Cerave cream so Iām definitely ready for this. About how long do you think it take to see clearer skin?