I've been using this stuff for probably 30 years and there's a reason it's been around that long... it works! At least for me. I only have occasional acne and it doesn't immediately cause blemishes to disappear but it does seem to function as a drying and perhaps bacteria killing agent (I'm not a doctor) and after a few days or maybe a week dramatically reduced blemishes if not completely cleared. In the interim it also covers up the redness. Very helpful product for occasional use!