What Does Benzoyl Peroxide Do For Acne

Benzoyl Peroxide Can Prevent Antibiotic Resistance

With antibiotics, bacteria can develop resistance, which means that all the bacteria is not killed by the antibiotic and it becomes less effective over time. Benzoyl peroxide does not cause antibiotic resistance.

Researchers have found that when benzoyl peroxide is used in combination with the antibiotic, clindamycin phosphate, there is 1600% less resistant bacteria than when clindamycin is used on its own. This means that using benzoyl peroxide with antibiotics helps to protect against the development of bacterial resistance.

However, it is controversial to use benzoyl peroxide with antibiotics because benzoyl peroxide is usually far better at treating acne than antibiotics, and it does not come with many of the serious and distressing side effects that antibiotics cause.7,12 In other words, just because benzoyl peroxide reduces the harm of antibiotics, it does not mean antibiotics should be used in the first place.

Does Benzoyl Peroxide Worsen Acne When You First Start Using It

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid work as a gentle exfoliator by peeling away skin to get rid of dead skin cells, excessive oil, and trapped bacteria. Salicylic acid is an acne-fighting ingredient that is milder than benzoyl peroxide and is most commonly used to treat blackheads and whiteheads.

The exfoliation effect may trigger increased breakouts. This is a process known as purging when the skin reacts to an active ingredient that increases the rate of skin cell turnover.

Because your cells are turning over more quickly, lingering breakouts that might have taken weeks or months to surface, may all start to come up at once. When this happens, the best approach is to wait for the side effects to subside, while keeping to a good skincare routine.

How Should Benzoyl Peroxide Be Used

Benzoyl peroxide is a multi-purpose tool: Its effective at getting rid of and preventing all types of acne, whether youre dealing with whiteheads or blackheads or inflammatory cysts.

In terms adding benzoyl peroxide into an effective acne skincare routine, it comes in the form of OTC gels, spot treatments or rinse-off cleansers. Dr. Rodney prefers cleansers because they tend to be less drying since they stay on your skin for a smaller amount of time and the motion of rinsing them off helps remove debris. Whats really important is that you wet your skin first with warm water, massage in the benzoyl peroxide cleanser for 20 seconds and then rinse it off, she says. When you leave it on for the 20 seconds, thats really giving it time to take effect.

The other thing to keep in mind when selecting a benzoyl peroxide product is that a higher concentration of the ingredient is not necessarily better. In fact, research shows that 2.5%, 5% and 10% formulations are all similarly effective, but the higher percentages are more likely to cause dry or irritated skin. Both Dr. Rodney and Dr. Jaber agree its best to start with a lower formulation and slowly work your way up if it doesnt seem to help.

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How To Use Salicylic Acid And Benzoyl Peroxide In Your Skincare Regimen

Dermatologists generally don’t recommend using these ingredients together. Combining the two is a quick way to dry out your skin and cause irritation. Rather than using them together and hoping for the best, try picking one that targets your skin’s specific needs.

If you have blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid alone should work well to clear out your pores. If your acne tends to be inflammatory, such as papules and pustules, opt for benzoyl peroxide to stop outbreaks at the source.

For sensitive skin, start with salicylic acid, since it’s less likely to cause irritation. If you’re already using an oral or topical treatment for acne, benzoyl peroxide might be a more effective option but start with a lower concentration and gradually move up from there to see what your skin can tolerate. This is doubly important if you use benzoyl peroxide products that you leave on your skin.

If your skin is dry, you can still use one or both products. However, you may want to use them in a cleanser so the ingredients don’t sit on your skin for too long and cause dryness. Also, make sure to apply a moisturizer along with your acne products to help maintain skin barrier function and minimize the risk of irritation.

Benzoyl Peroxide Vs Salicylic Acid For Acne Treatment

The skin care market is flooded with products to clear acne, all teeming with long lists of ingredients. Two specific ingredients, however, stand above the rest: benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Both of these can work wonders on your skin. Board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe takes the guesswork away by explaining the perks of each key ingredient, what adverse side effects they may cause, and which products she most recommends containing each one.

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What To Do In Case Of Side Effects

In case you have already used benzoyl peroxide for acne, and it has shown to work well for your acne, but at the same time, it does cause itching and redness, here is something that you can do.

Moisturisers are known to help you reduce any kind of redness or irritation on your skin however, its better to go for non-comedogenic moisturisers if you are prone to oily skin.

Benzoyl Peroxide For Acne: Does It Work

Acne occurs mainly due to inflammation on the skin caused by bacteria, sebum, and dirt that collect in your pores. They may or may not be painful, but nevertheless are still known for hindering your appearance. There are quite a few treatments that are used simultaneously that help in getting rid of acne Benzoyl Peroxide for acne being one of them.

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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.

Q Does Benzoyl Peroxide Have Any Interactions With Other Ingredients

A. It is often recommended that you do not use too many benzoyl peroxide products at the same time. For instance, vitamin C is known to reduce the efficacy of the ingredients when used together with benzoyl peroxide.

Written by Sumona Boseon Jan 14, 2021

Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master’s degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!

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How To Use Benzoyl Peroxide For Acne Safely

Much like other active ingredients, benzoyl peroxide also needs proper care while being incorporated into your routine. It can have an irritant potential, but newer formulations are made using hydrophase technology to ensure a moisturising base. So make sure you are properly consulting with your dermatologist to pick the least irritating agent for your skin type.

Pick preparations that contain nanoparticles or polymeric micelles, they help in targeted delivery of the drug into the depth of the oil glands and hence reduce its irritancy potential. Also, a combination of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin will make the experience considerably less irritating for your skin as well.

Apart from choosing a newer formulation, try starting with a shorter contact period and gradually build-up to the overnight application. Make sure that you use a good non-comedogenic moisturiser and sunscreen in the daytime. If you still feel excessive dryness or irritation, you can moisturise first and then apply the benzoyl peroxide treatment, using the sandwich method to reduce surface dryness significantly. If you notice flaking or dryness, avoid using cleansers or exfoliants with other active ingredients like salicylic or glycolic acid.

How Long Will It Take To See Results

Patience is a virtue, and this adage definitely applies to treating acne. Benzoyl peroxide, like all treatments, takes time to work. You may need to wait eight to 10 weeks, sometimes a bit more before seeing a noticeable improvement in your skin.

As tempting as it may be, don’t slather on more medication, or apply more often than directed. You’ll increase your chances of annoying side effects and it won’t clear up acne any faster.

During this time you’ll still get new breakouts, so don’t fret. Over the course of several weeks, breakouts will slowly become fewer and farther between.

If you’ve used an OTC benzoyl peroxide product for more than 12 weeks and you haven’t had any improvement, it’s time to see a healthcare provider for a prescription medication .

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In A Pinch Will These Diy Remedies Work

An internet search turns up many quick-fixes for pimples. HeresDr. Khetarpals take on some of the most common ones.

So, while there are several things in your medicine cabinet that could work in a pinch, it might be worth investing in a benzoyl peroxide-containing product to have on hand for skin care emergencies.

What Are The Possible Side Effects

Benzoyl peroxide, like many acne medications, can cause dryness and peeling. Dry skin is the most common side effect.

The best way to combat this is to start off slowly, allowing your skin a chance to get used to the medication. Try using it every other day for a week or two. Using a good moisturizer will help too.

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Benzoyl Peroxide Side Effects

As with any strong acne topical, BP does have some side effects. The most common are dryness,itching, irritation, light peeling, and some redness. To minimize these effects, start by usingBPO once every few days to gradually let your skin get used to it. Be sure to avoid usingbenzoyl peroxide with other medicines that dry out or irritate yourskin. Of course if you are seeing persistent irritation, redness, or itching, be sure to stopusing BPO and consult a doctor.

Q What Concentration Of Benzoyl Peroxide Is Safe For Use On Acne

A. Benzoyl peroxide is available in many concentrations, with all of the ranges being effective in treating acne. The only way the concentration matters is that higher concentrations are more drying on the skin. So a formulation with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide will work on acne as 5% or 10% would – but they will have varying levels of dryness on your skin. While the range of 3 to 5% is the most common prescription, your dermatologist will be able to recommend the right formulation for your skin type.

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Benzoyl Peroxide For Acne: How It Works Best Products Side Effects And More

June 29, 2021 By Haley Walden

• Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most popular and widely-used acne treatments
• Its available in over the counter and prescription formulations, and can be used as an all-over or spot treatment
• Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial that kills acne-causing bacteria
• It is found within cleansers, gels, moisturizers, toners and creams

If you experience breakouts, you have likely heard of benzoyl peroxide for acne. Benzoyl peroxide clears pores and fights acne-causing bacteria two important mechanisms in the treatment of this skin condition. Its one of the best acne treatments available and is found in multiple formulations.

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• Alternatives

When Should You Not Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide should never be used to treat wounds as it does more harm than good. In fact, no antiseptic should be used to treat wounds. While highly reactive chemical agents such as hydrogen peroxide do indeed kill some bacteria, they do more damage to healthy cells that are attempting to heal the wound.

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Question: Is There A Difference Between Benzoyl Peroxide And Hydrogen Peroxide

Better products for acne Its best to stick with using hydrogen peroxide as a cleaning product for household surfaces. Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, is a similar compound that has been shown to be effective against acne. Benzoyl peroxide isnt water-soluble and forms a film when applied to the skin.

Skincare Benefits Of Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is best known for its ability to help clear and prevent the development of acne. Dr. Hartman explains that since it reduces acne bacteria found on the skin, there is less opportunity for that bacteria to turn into active acne. “It can help clear our pores and get rid of dead skin cells,” he says.

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Can You Be Allergic To Benzoyl Peroxide

Some people just can’t handle benzoyl peroxide, especially if your skin is super sensitive. And, yes, some people are truly allergic to this medication. But there are differences between a benzoyl peroxide allergy and normal side effects.

Benzoyl peroxide can cause some fairly intense dryness, peeling, and flaking. You also may notice redness, burning, and itching right after applying the medication. These are normal reactions.

If you’re getting swelling, severe redness, blisters, or incredibly irritated skin, you may actually have an allergy. In any case, stop using it and call your healthcare provider right away.

/ Glo Skin Clear Skin Spot Treatment

Another brilliant gel product that helps to clear up skin in days thats to 5% BP. Be sure to use an SPF alongside it as BP can increase skin sensitivity.

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All The Ways Benzoyl Peroxide Works For Acne

Kills Acne Bacteria

Acne bacteria, called C. acnes, contribute to the redness, swelling, and pain of acne.

Benzoyl radicals oxidize the skin and disrupt vital biological processes in the bacteria such as DNA and protein synthesis. Benzoyl radicals kill most bacteria that live on human skin quickly and reliably.2,3

Here are some experimental results:

• Twice-daily application of benzoyl peroxide reduces acne bacteria by 95%.
• 5% benzoyl peroxide significantly reduces the number of C. acnes in only 48 hours.
• Benzoyl peroxide kills the same amount of C. acnes in 3 days that it takes clindamycin 14 days to kill.1

Opens Clogged Pores

Keratin is a protein that accumulates within pores, causing the pore to clog.

Benzoyl peroxide breaks up keratin and opens clogged pores.

Several experiments demonstrate that benzoyl peroxide reduces the size of clogged pores by 50%.1 Benzoyl peroxide breaks up keratin better than tretinoin and salicylic acid, two other common acne treatments.3

Promotes Flow of Skin Oil

After application of benzoyl peroxide, researchers notice more oil on the surface of patients’ skin. Benzoyl peroxide does not increase the amount of skin oil that the skin produces, but instead allows the skin oil to escape faster from the pores.

This helps with acne because the flow of skin oil can bring with it the skin cells that would normally stay put in the pore and become a clog. In a sense, benzoyl peroxide irrigates pores.

Expand to read details of study

Reduces Inflammation

Cautions With Other Medicines

Some products and medicines can irritate your skin if you use them while you’re treating your skin with benzoyl peroxide gel or wash.

Do not use benzoyl peroxide with any other medicines that may have drying or irritating effects on your skin. These include alcohol-based skincare products. Always check the ingredients on the label and choose products for sensitive skin.

Do not use other benzoyl peroxide products or other acne medicines , unless your doctor or pharmacist says it’s OK. It may cause your skin to become very sore.

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Can I Use Benzoyl Peroxide If I Have Rosacea Or Very Sensitive Skin

This is a question to take to your doctor. But just because your skin is super sensitive doesn’t mean that you can’t use it. ‘You can build up a tolerance to it, if you start with a very weak application and slowly scale up, using very small amounts,’ Dr Madan elaborates. But make sure you’re doing this with medical supervision.

Important Information About All Medicines

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