Again, though, everyone's skin is different, and if you are experiencing painful, stubborn acne, it's always wise to consult a board-certified dermatologist who can help you put together a tailored regimen. One last thing, and perhaps the biggest complaint about benzoyl peroxide, is that it can bleach things like dark towels, sheets, and clothing. But there's a simple fix — you'll want to "be mindful of rinsing it off completely when using a cleanser or letting the leave-on product dry completely prior to getting dressed," in order to avoid an unsightly stain, Dr.
Garshick suggests. Since benzoyl peroxide can cause irritation in the form of redness and extra-dry skin , those with sensitive skin are advised to use BPO-containing products with the lowest concentrations, if not avoid them altogether. Also, and this is important, if you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant , you'll also want to avoid this ingredient altogether. Benzoyl peroxide has a pregnancy category C safety labeling, which means that "there have been risks when tested on animals, but no studies have been done on humans or pregnant women," Dr.
In general, the consensus among most doctors is that benzoyl peroxide should be avoided entirely during pregnancy. It is also possible to have a true benzoyl peroxide allergy, Dr. Krant explains, and about 1 percent of the population does. So, if you develop a rash while using the ingredient, stop the product and discuss with your board-certified dermatologist.
You can follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter , or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty. Celebrity Fashion Video. What types of acne does benzoyl peroxide treat? What is the best way to use benzoyl peroxide to treat acne? Shop Now. Courtesy of brand Panoxyl Acne Creamy Wash. Courtesy of brand Glossier Zit Stick. Is there anyone who should avoid using benzoyl peroxide?
Keywords acne beauty products skincare benzoyl peroxide ingredient explainer skin-care ingredient explainer skin care spot treatment acne treatments acne solutions cystic acne adult acne red spots dermatologists shopping service Ingredient Index. 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. 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. Yes, the active ingredient in Proactiv is benzoyl peroxide. Some Proactiv products also contain ingredients like glycolic or salicylic acid. But Proactiv isn't the only acne treatment regimen that contains benzoyl peroxide. Many other brands have followed in Proactiv's wake, so you have plenty of other choices if you're looking for an all-inclusive acne skin care kit.
Many of these acne treatment products are less expensive than Proactiv , so you'll save some money. But you don't need an all-inclusive kit. You can buy benzoyl peroxide cleansers and lotions separately and use them together, basically creating your own acne treatment regimen.
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 or to change your current prescription treatment. So you're all jazzed up and ready to start using benzoyl peroxide. That's great! But did you know that lots of people stop using benzoyl peroxide before it ever has a chance to work?
Knowing what to expect from your treatment can help you get the best results possible. Once you get started with benzoyl peroxide, the biggest tip to remember: be consistent.
Consistency is your best friend when treating acne. Skipping days will set your treatment back. You'll see the fastest improvement with regular, consistent use. Another biggie—keep benzoyl peroxide away from your towels and pillowcases. Benzoyl peroxide will stain anything it comes in contact with. White linens and wearing old shirts to bed will help prevent or minimize benzoyl peroxide stains or at least keep you from being too distressed when staining does happen.
Benzoyl peroxide is an effective treatment for acne. OTC benzoyl peroxide are appropriate for mild acne. Prescription benzoyl peroxide medications work better for moderate acne. But benzoyl peroxide isn't the only acne treatment option available.
If you're having trouble with acne, and need help getting it under control, don't wait to see a healthcare provider. Making that call is the first step toward clearer skin. Yes, benzoyl peroxide is thought to be safe when used in limited amounts during pregnancy. It might be a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider before using it to make sure it's OK for you. Acne products often contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, or sometimes both. Benzoyl peroxide reduces acne-causing bacteria, while salicylic acid helps dissolve dead skin cells to clear out your pores.
You may have better results with one or the other depending on your skin and type of acne. Propionibacterium acnes is the type of bacteria that is involved in the growth of acne. Benzoyl peroxide effectively kills this acne causing bacteria and is available as an over-the-counter product in different forms.
Most commonly, it can easily be bought from a specialized dermatology pharmacy as a gel, in a cleanser, or as a spot treatment. In higher concentrations , the product can be found in teeth whitening agents and hair bleaching products because it does have a bleaching quality. It can even remove dark spots and pimples or acne scars. The key difference between any benzoyl peroxide product and other topical antibiotics for acne like clindamycin is that our bodies do not build up an antibiotic resistance to the product.
This means benzoyl peroxide can be consistently used to treat acne without the worry that it will lose its effect. Benzoyl peroxide topical acne treatment can 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:. When starting to use benzoyl peroxide to treat acne, start off slowly.
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