So you’ve no doubt heard of benzoyl peroxide and that it can cure acne and all sorts of other things. So I’m going to give an overview and relevant information about BP.
BP is obviously a member of the peroxide family of chemicals. Peroxides have clear effects such as bleaching clothes, creating polyester fabrics, and whitening teeth. However, the main thing this article will focus on is the acne-fighting properties of BP. Since BP is a peroxide, it has strong antiseptic abilities. Kills bacteria extremely effectively. BP is sold in topical creams, gels, masks, and sticks that vary in percentage range up to ten percent. An important fact to note is that there have been no clinical statistics to indicate that a concentration of BP greater than 5% has any effect on acne.
Benzoyl peroxide works in two ways against acne. First of all, due to its strong antiseptic ability, it keeps bacteria to a minimum. Of course, this is good because it reduces infected comodons. The second useful property of BP is how it affects the skin. First time users will notice that it has a severe drying effect on the skin. After a week or more of use, the user will notice that the skin has flaked off a bit. This is known as the BP hardening effect and is well documented.
The good thing about this “tightening” is that your skin begins to shed its outer layers, so it’s basically exfoliating. The tightening is just your skin getting used to the benzoyl peroxide. After a few weeks, users should notice that the flaking and dryness will be significantly reduced from the initial stages, although it should not disappear completely. A good moisturizer will help tremendously with flaking and dryness. Something non-comedogenic (my personal favorite is Cetaphil) is what you need to keep your skin hydrated without clogging your pores. It’s also wise to invest in a non-comedogenic sunscreen to help your skin and reduce sun damage while under the influence of benzoyl peroxide. It’s also important to remember that, like most acne treatment products, your skin will almost certainly get worse before it gets better. Results are not immediate and you may not see them for a few weeks.
A beginning user should start with one BP application once a day. Once irritation and flaking subside, the user can move up to twice a day if warranted. However, benzoyl peroxide is not a more is better product. More than twice a day and perhaps even twice a day for some users will be too much. Excessive use of benzoyl peroxide can cause extremely dry and irritated skin and can also lead to minor chemical burns. A simple application process is to apply a small amount in the morning followed by moisturizer and sunscreen, and a small amount in the evening followed by moisturizer.
Benzoyl peroxide is an excellent and easy-to-use acne-fighting tool. It’s simple in the sense that you don’t need a prescription to get it and it also works to some degree for almost everyone. BP should be on every acne sufferer’s list of things to try to help clear their skin.