What Are Some Potential Side Effects Of Using Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a very safe and effective acne medication, but it can be very irritating and drying in some patients, says Dr. Jaber, so if you have sensitive or rosacea-prone skin, start really gradually with a low dose. Also, he notes, benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics. So apply creams at night, put white sheets on your bed and wear white T-shirts to sleep. If using a benzoyl peroxide cleanser, make sure your towels are white as well.
Recommended Benzoyl Peroxide Products
Salicylic acid comes in a variety of forms, including creams, lotions, washes, and gels. “My patients swear by Clean and Clean Continuous Control Acne Cleanser. It delivers the benzoyl peroxide deep into the pores where the ingredient is most needed, bypassing the sensitive parts of the skin that are prone to dryness and irritation. For spot treatment, there’s nothing better than Persa-Gel 10. As soon as you start to feel a pimple come up, dab a drop right on the lesion and don’t pick! As tempting as it is to try to squeeze or pick at the pimple, never touch it and your skin will thank you later. The gel will either prevent the pimple from coming up altogether, or the pimple that comes up will be half the size it would have been otherwise,” says Dr. Bowe.
Recommended Products Salicylic Acid Products
“My favorite salicylic acid products on the market are the https://shop-links.co/1708989641521974861) and the Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads . The acid fights existing blemishes and prevents future breakouts, while the soy extracts naturally brighten the skin.”
No matter what product you choose, it’s important to look for products that also contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and hydrators to help protect the skin’s barrier function and improve the overall health of your skin.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Penis Acne
How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Treat Acne
If you have some inflammatory acne and want to try using hydrogen peroxide on it here’s a general guide. Before using hydrogen peroxide in treating your acne, its best to consult with your dermatologist first should you feel the need to use this. Never ever use this product without even consulting your trusted dermatologist.
To use hydrogen peroxide on your skin, youll want to dilute it to a 1 percent concentration. Be sure to read the label carefully.
How to use hydrogen peroxide:
People who choose to use it, particularly those with moderate to severe inflammatory acne, must take great care when using hydrogen peroxide.
How To Address Peeling And Flaking
Even if you start off carefully and slowly, you can expect your skin to get dry. Very dry. And possibly rough, peely, and flaky too. These are all normal side effects.
You can manage this dryness, though. First, try using a moisturizer as often as you need, but at a minimum twice a day. If your skin is super dry and peeling, try applying the moisturizer first, under your benzoyl peroxide lotion or gel. This will act as a sort of buffer between the medication and your skin.
Most people find their skin gets used to the benzoyl peroxide over time and the dry, peeling skin fades away. It can take several weeks, though, as your skin adjusts to the medication.
Read Also: Is Lotion Good For Acne
What Is The Best Way To Use Benzoyl Peroxide To Treat Acne
You don’t need a prescription for benzoyl peroxide. Like we said, take a stroll down the drugstore skin-care aisle and you’ll spot it everywhere. The percentage of the ingredient in over-the-counter products ranges from 2.5 to 10 percent, however, it’s not necessarily the percentage you should be focused on.
Interestingly, both Dr. Krant and Dr. Garshick maintain that benzoyl peroxide is just as effective in treating acne at 2.5 percent and 5 percent as it is at 10 percent. The difference, both dermatologists say, is that the higher percentages run the risk of irritating or drying out the skin too much. While everyone’s acne is different, in general, Dr. Jerdan advises patients to stick within the 3 to 5 percent range.
In addition to this wide range of active-ingredient percentages, benzoyl peroxide also comes in a wide range of different product types. You’ll find it in facial cleansers, scrubs, masks, spot treatments, and other types of leave-on creams. With so many options, how are you supposed to choose the right formulation and product type?
Hydrogen Peroxide Versus Benzoyl Peroxide
The two may have the same last name, but the similarities end there. They’re actually made up of entirely different compounds: “Benzoyl peroxide is lipid-soluble, while hydrogen peroxide is water-soluble,” says King. Meaning, benzoyl peroxide can break apart the lipid cell membrane . Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, is an effective disinfectant, but it doesn’t have a similar track record in terms of breakouts. In fact, “there is no proof that it can safely and effectively treat acne,” says board-certified dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D.
Benzoyl peroxide does have its drawbacks as well , but derms favor the solution over hydrogen peroxide any day.
Recommended Reading: How To Know If You Have Severe Acne
Hydrogen Peroxide Uses For Hair:
deep conditioning treatmentNote:
The Cons Of Using Benzoyl Peroxide To Treat Fungal Acne
Before you run out and purchase benzoyl peroxide, I want to issue this fair warning to you.
A vital part of treating & curing fungal acne is restoring a healthy skin moisture barrier. Without a healthy moisture barrier, it doesnt matter how much you treat the fungal acne youre likely only making the problem worse.
And unfortunately, benzoyl peroxide can be extremely drying.
One suggestion that I love comes from this wonderful blog post. The author suggests putting benzoyl peroxide on top of your moisturizer to decrease the risk of drying out your skin & damaging your skins moisture barrier further.
Otherwise, I would suggest limiting your use of benzoyl peroxide to once per week, or once every few days.
To learn more about how benzoyl peroxide treats acne, check out benzoyl peroxide in the Paulas Choice ingredient dictionary.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Hormonal Acne On Jawline
When To See A Doctor
No acne product will clear up your blemishes and scars overnight. Such is the case with benzoyl peroxide. It can take up to six weeks for new products to take full effect.
If you dont see any improvements after six weeks, consider seeing a dermatologist. They might recommend a prescription-strength formula, especially if your acne is severe. They may also recommend an entirely different treatment option.
Be prepared to answer questions about your acne and its severity so your dermatologist can determine the best treatment option possible. They will also conduct a skin exam to see the type of acne you have.
Hydrogen Peroxide Uses For Skin:
- How is acne caused? When the skin produces excessive sebum or naturally occurring oils , some of the excess sebum ends up clogging the pores of the skin, which traps the dead skin cells and the bacteria, forming a pimple.
- How does it work? H2O2 loses and atom of Oxygen when applied on the skin. The process of oxidization makes it difficult for the bacteria to survive. With the bacteria eliminated, the skin has a chance to heal. Peroxide also acts as a peel, thus exfoliating the skin and exposing newer skin cells. It is also an agent for drying up the excessive oils on the skin. A word of caution, however. While Hydrogen Peroxide is an effective treatment for acne marks and other pigmentations, it must be handled with caution. It is advised that it be used sparingly. Also, the concentration of the aqueous solution has to be 3% or lesser. If you have sensitive skin, it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist before you use the product, and upon using if you experience a tingling sensation, wash your face with cold water and consult a dermatologist.
You May Like: Does Sperm Help Clear Up Acne
How Does Hydrogen Peroxide Work On Acne
Hydrogen peroxide is often considered as an acne treatment since it can kill bacteria . It can also dry out the oils present on the skin, which may play a role in preventing future breakouts.
Many people who are desperate for new acne treatments ask themselves “is hydrogen peroxide good for acne?”.
When using hydrogen peroxide for acne, it can have an immediate effect on the appearance of acne blemishes. However, its important to understand what contributes to a breakout to determine the role of hydrogen peroxide on pimples and acne.
The sebaceous glands, hidden right underneath the surface of the skin, produce a substance known as sebum. This oily substance is essential for keeping our skin smooth, supple, and moisturized, and is expelled through the pores connected to hair follicles. Should these glands produce an excess amount of sebum, the sticky solution can fill up the pores and combine with dead skin cells and P. acnes bacteria, causing a plug to form. Once infection sets in, a pimple is formed.
Using hydrogen peroxide for acne can combat bacterial infection. The peroxide oxidizes when applied to skin tissue, meaning it releases its oxygen atom. This oxidization forms a volatile environment for any bacterium present this means P. acnes cannot survive. As the bacteria dies off, the blemish is given the chance to heal.
How Is Acne Treated
There are treatments that can help. The trick is finding what works best for you. It depends on factors such as: your age, whether youââ¬â¢re male or female, how bad your acne is, and how long youââ¬â¢ve had it, among other things.
Treating acne on your own
Benzoyl peroxide is the first product many people try, because itââ¬â¢s pretty easy on the skin. Typically, youââ¬â¢ll start with a lower strength no matter what medicine you use. This helps you get used to it. Your doctor can tell you if itââ¬â¢s time to try a higher strength or to switch to something different.
Be patient. It can take weeks to see results from any medication. Your acne may look worse before it gets better. Donââ¬â¢t be surprised if you get redness, burning, or dry skin from your acne medicines. If itââ¬â¢s serious, call your doctor.
You may need to try several different medicines before you find what works best for you.
While a pimple will eventually go away, if you have outbreaks often, the skin problem that brings them on typically wonââ¬â¢t go away by itself. And if you donââ¬â¢t treat it, you could end up with scars.
A skin doctor can help. They might suggest a cream, lotion, gel, or soap that contains ingredients that can help. Many can be bought without a prescription:
For more serious acne, your doctor may prescribe:
- Antibiotics to kill bacteria
- Birth control pills for women with acne due to hormones
- Isotretinoin to help you make less oil
Read Also: What Can I Use For Baby Acne
What Are The Side Effects
While it can be a very effective acne treatment, certain patients do experience side effects like an allergic reaction or skin irritation when first introducing benzoyl peroxide to their skincare routine. Side effects include:
- Itching
Benzoyl peroxide is also notorious for bleaching clothing and towels. Keep this in mind when using the product, and be careful not to get it on anything you do not want discolored.
If you are still struggling with acne after including benzoyl peroxide into your routine,other alternatives might be better suited for your skin type and acne type. Tea tree oil, salicylic acid, sulfur, and adapalene are all other options you can try. In fact, there are many salicylic acid benefits for acne.
If you continue to struggle with your acne, contact your dermatologist to schedule an appointment. After an assessment of your skin, your doctor will come up with the best treatment plan for you.
If you have any questions on benzoyl peroxide, acne, or any other skin condition, please contact our team today!
Aloe Vera And Hydrogen Peroxide For Acne
Shutterstock
How Often?
1-2 times a week.
Why This Works
Aloe vera helps tackle acne and redness with its antibacterial properties. It also boosts the healing process with its high content of antioxidants. After the hydrogen peroxide disinfects your skin, the aloe vera gel will help soothe the redness while nourishing and moisturizing your skin.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Cystic Acne On Inner Thighs
Benzoyl Peroxide Is Stable
Benzoyl peroxide has skin-peeling and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help clear acne. Its also oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate the skins oil to work inside the pores. These properties, combined with its antibacterial ability, can help prevent acne breakouts in multiple ways.
Manufacturers typically stabilize benzoyl peroxide by combining it with other ingredients that stop it from breaking down on the skin.
Dont Know Which Products Are Safe
Clueless when it comes to picking fungal-acne-safe products off the shelves at Walmart & Target?
With my fungal acne friendly shopping lists, youll be able to pick out skincare & makeup products with complete confidence.
& take them with you to the store!
Simply fill out this form & Ill send them to your inbox!
Read Also: Does Curology Help With Acne Scars
What Is Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid has been used some 2,000 years even longer than benzoyl peroxide to target pimples and breakouts on the face. It is a beta hydroxy acid that works by penetrating deep into the skin and dissolving whatever is clogging your pores before it can cause breakouts, whether it’s excess oil and dead cells or irritants from the environment, such as dirt and particles from air pollution.
The result? Fewer and less extreme breakouts, thanks to the removal of acne-causing bacteria, as well as the ingredient’s natural exfoliating abilities. It’s also anti-inflammatory, which makes it less likely to contribute to redness on the skin. Over-the-counter salicylic acid is limited at 2% for products that are designed to be left on your face and 3% for products that are meant to be washed off, such as cleansers or shampoo.
What Types Of Acne Does It Treat
Benzoyl peroxide topical acne treatmentcan be used to treat any type of acne, but it is most effective on inflammatory acne, called acne vulgaris. It can also be used for whiteheads, blackheads, and cystic acne, but it should be used in combination with other medications for these types of acne. Benzoyl peroxide is most effective with inflammatory acne because it kills the bacteria in and underneath the breakout that is causing the inflammation. Symptoms of inflammatory acne are:
- Swelling
Also Check: How To Deal With Acne
Can Hydrogen Peroxide Be Used To Treat Acne
Many of you may have figured that since hydrogen peroxide is anti bacterial, that it can be used on acne too right? Well, before you try using hydrogen peroxide on acne, first let’s discuss if it’s safe to use hydrogen peroxide to treat acne.
In this article, we’ll be talking about what hydrogen peroxide is, what it’s used for, and if it’s safe for treating acne or not.
WHAT IS HYDROGEN PEROXIDE?
Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid that is used as an antiseptic.
Hydrogen peroxide is normally being used as a disinfectant and it kills bacteria through an oxidation process. This means it has antibacterial uses and has amazing acne fighting capabilities if you have whiteheads for some people.
You can find hydrogen peroxide in commercial supermarkets/groceries at its varying concentrations, with the most common at 3%.
However, it may also contain inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
The downside is that Hydrogen peroxide can also damage your own cells too including our fibroblasts which are essential to heal and repair skin.
Facts about hydrogen peroxide:
- Your white blood cells produce hydrogen peroxide to signal an immune response to kill bacteria.
- According to a recent study by Harvard Medical School, the body uses hydrogen peroxide to sound the alarm when a tissue has been injured. As a direct result of this hydrogen-peroxide red alert, white blood cells come to the aid of the wounded site.
