The right way to use it and the way it works

What’s benzoyl peroxide? 

Benzoyl peroxide is a superb drugs for the remedy of pimples.  Also referred to as BPO, it’s obtainable in each prescription and OTC non-prescription cleansers, gels and lotions constituted of 2 to 10% concentrations. Technically, benzoyl peroxide is a synthesized peroxide. The fact is that benzoyl peroxide is such a well-regarded drugs that it’s on the World Well being Group’s Listing of Important Medicines.

How does benzoyl peroxide work to struggle pimples?

Benzoyl peroxide is effectively studied and confirmed to scale back the quantity and severity of pimples lesions in 2 foremost methods:

1.  Benzoyl peroxide is bactericidal.

Which means it kills the pimples inflicting micro organism referred to as Cutibacterium acnes (previously referred to as P. acnes) by oxidizing bacterial proteins. In contrast to antibiotics, this micro organism has not developed resistance to benzoyl peroxide prefer it has to all antibiotics used to deal with pimples. Decrease concentrations of benzoyl peroxide are as efficient at killing the pimples inflicting micro organism as the upper concentrations. Decrease concentrations are additionally much less irritating to delicate pores and skin. 

2.  Benzoyl peroxide is a keratolytic and barely ‘sebostatic’.

Which means it clears out blackheads and keratin blockages in pores and may scale back pores and skin oil manufacturing. It additionally modifications the oil in your pores to make it much less more likely to provoke pimples; benzoyl peroxide can assist to scale back irritation and redness from inflammatory pimples lesions.

What varieties of pimples is benzoyl peroxide good for?

Benzoyl peroxide for pimples pimples

Benzoyl peroxide is superb at treating pimples. These are the inflammatory lesions of pimples vulgaris, which is the commonest kind of pimples. Inflammatory pimples vulgaris is characterised by pustules, cysts, crimson papules and nodules. The pimples inflicting micro organism referred to as C. acnes performs a giant function in pimple formation and benzoyl peroxide is the very best topical drugs for killing this micro organism to clear pimples. 

Benzoyl peroxide for cystic pimples

Cystic pimples is a deep type of inflammatory pimples. Deep cysts can develop into very giant and scar. Typically these cysts do not attain the floor of the pores and skin to develop into a pustule however they’re full of pus and the encircling pores and skin could be very infected. Benzoyl peroxide will assist to regulate the pimples inflicting micro organism within the pores however this kind of pimples must be handled by a dermatologist. 

Benzoyl peroxide for blackheads and whiteheads

Blackheads and whiteheads are referred to as comedones. They’re the noninflammatory lesions of pimples vulgaris and signify plugs within the pores. Benzoyl peroxide is each keratolytic, which means it breaks up the plugs, and sebostatic, which means it reduces sebum to assist break up the plugs. These two advantages of benzoyl peroxide goal comedones to assist heal pimples. 

Benzoyl peroxide for pimples scars

Benzoyl peroxide helps scale back pimples scars by treating pimples lesions to forestall scarring; smaller and fewer pimples lesions equate to much less pimples scarring. 

How briskly does benzoyl peroxide work to deal with pimples?

Benzoyl peroxide works rapidly to deal with pimples, and you’ll begin to see ends in underneath per week. It helps blackheads, whiteheads and crimson pimples pimples. In reality, after making use of benzoyl peroxide twice every day for two weeks, the pimples inflicting micro organism could also be diminished by as a lot as 98% and the pore-irritating fatty acids in sebum by 50%. That is highly effective with regards to treating pimples.

Benzoyl peroxide is completely distinctive for treating pimples. It is why I embrace benzoyl peroxide in my two hottest pimples kits, one for facial pimples and one for physique pimples.

My Final Pimples Options Package for the face features a medicated salicylic acid and glycolic acid Pimples Cleanser, Benzoyl Peroxide Pimples Therapy Cream and an pimples pleasant moisturizer to struggle pores and skin irritation.

My Again and Physique Pimples Package features a Benzoyl Peroxide Pimples Cleanser to alternate with Foaming Zinc Cleanser and a Salux Material to use the cleansers. Foaming Zinc helps struggle the yeast that usually contributes to again pimples. Along with benzoyl peroxide, this equipment is very efficient for again, chest and physique pimples. 

After a few weeks of utilizing the zinc cleaning soap at night time and benzoyl peroxide wash within the morning, my again and chest have been utterly clear – which has by no means occurred in my complete life. And some months later, they’re STILL utterly clear. I can lastly put on tank tops once more. My pores and skin is tender and clean, and my husband feedback on it on a regular basis. He cannot consider the distinction. So glad I discovered your web site. Thanks a lot. Jennifer B

How do you utilize benzoyl peroxide to deal with pimples?

Benzoyl peroxide pimples lotions

Benzoyl peroxide is finest utilized in a skinny layer to pimples inclined pores and skin. Completely different types of benzoyl peroxide have completely different utility frequencies. Dermatologist usually advocate topical benzoyl peroxide medicines be utilized twice every day if doable. Nonetheless, as soon as every day could also be ample. This lets you alternate BPO with a few of the different vital pimples preventing skincare substances that do not work when layered concurrently benzoyl peroxide equivalent to retinol.

My Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Pimples Therapy Cream is made with medical-grade benzoyl peroxide in a non-drying base. This type of benzoyl peroxide is ultra-micronized, offering higher penetration into the pores and skin whereas minimizing sensitivity and irritation widespread with many different benzoyl peroxide merchandise. 

Do you have to spot deal with pimples with benzoyl peroxide?

It is OK to simply spot deal with pimples however ideally you need to deal with all the pimples inclined space to forestall new pimples. It’s because benzoyl peroxide helps to scale back new pimples lesions by killing the pimples inflicting micro organism and altering the sebum to be much less irritating to the pore. In my follow, I’ve my sufferers which might be fighting many new pimples lesions deal with all the pimples inclined space till they achieve management of their pimples. After the pimples improves, then benzoyl peroxide can be utilized to identify deal with the occasional pimple. 

Benzoyl peroxide face and physique washes 

Benzoyl peroxide cleansers are nice for each face and physique pimples remedy. After I use a medicated benzoyl peroxide cleanser, I normally choose a better focus of the lively ingredient since I do know that a few of the drugs goes to be rinsed off the pores and skin and the quantity left on the pores and skin might be much less concentrated. My 10% Foaming Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser can also be made with medical-grade ultra-micronized benzoyl peroxide for maximal pores and skin penetration with minimal danger of pores and skin irritation.  

What skincare substances are you able to mix with benzoyl peroxide to deal with pimples?

Benzoyl peroxide will be mixed with:

• salicylic acid,
• glycolic acid,
• sulfur, and
• topical antibiotics.

Benzoyl peroxide can be mixed with adapalene, which is an artificial retinoid.

What substances shouldn’t be mixed with benzoyl peroxide?

Retinoids apart from adapalene, equivalent to retinol and tretinoin, are deactivated by benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide can also be not sometimes beneficial when an individual is on Accutane/isotretinoin as a result of elevated danger of pores and skin irritation from that drugs. 

Benzoyl peroxide shouldn’t be mixed with hydroquinone or dapsone as a result of the mix could cause pores and skin irritation and marking. 

What are the benzoyl peroxide unwanted side effects?

Benzoyl peroxide could cause pores and skin irritation, redness, peeling and photosensitivity.

This danger is worse with greater strengths of BPO, making decrease concentrations the logical place to begin. If irritation develops, the pores and skin normally adjusts in a number of weeks, although some folks develop stinging, itching and swelling and may’t tolerate benzoyl peroxide.

Benzoyl peroxide may also make the handled pores and skin extra solar delicate so you will need to discover an acne-friendly sunscreen to guard handled pores and skin.

5 Professional-tips to Assist Your Pores and skin Tolerate Benzoyl Peroxide:

1. Put on broad spectrum pure mineral sunscreen to forestall sunburn. 
2. Use an pimples pleasant moisturizer (equivalent to my Each day Moisturizing Face Cream for Oily Pores and skin) day by day on high of your benzoyl peroxide.
3. Beginning on a decrease power benzoyl peroxide equivalent to my 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Pimples Therapy Cream.
4. Keep away from harsh cleansers that over-dry your pores and skin and result in irritation. My Pimples Therapy Cleanser is formulated in a base that isn’t harsh.
5. Give your pores and skin a number of weeks to regulate to benzoyl peroxide earlier than including in different exfoliating merchandise equivalent to retinol or glycolic acid – or vice versa relying on that are already in your skincare routine.

Additionally, do not apply BPO proper subsequent to your eyes, the opening of your nostril, your lips or in your mouth as it can irritate mucus membranes (that is the kind of pores and skin that you’ve in your mouth, nostril and eyes). 

What are the delicate complexion issues that will by no means tolerate benzoyl peroxide?

Know that some pores and skin varieties are simply too delicate for benzoyl peroxide. This consists of folks with

• extremely delicate erythematotelangiectatic kind 1 rosacea,
• eczema sufferers, and
• those that battle with seborrheic dermatitis. 

Most benzoyl peroxide intolerance is because of irritation. Hardly ever, an individual may develop into allergic to benzoyl peroxide, although allergy could be very unusual. BPO allergic folks is not going to tolerate even low concentrations or much less frequent publicity to benzoyl peroxide on their pores and skin. Importantly, allergic response to BPO is rare and most irritation reactions will be overcome with the 5 ideas above. 

Benzoyl peroxide is thought to stain clothes

Benzoyl peroxide will bleach cloth! Which means you do not need to wipe off benzoyl peroxide onto coloured bathtub towels. Benzoyl peroxide may also bleach clothes, together with when it runs onto your clothes while you sweat. It should additionally bleach your pillow case for those who apply it at night time. I like to recommend utilizing white bathtub towels and mattress linens when utilizing benzoyl peroxide. I additionally do not advocate carrying your favourite coloured clothes if there may be benzoyl peroxide on the pores and skin underneath or adjoining to your coloured clothes.

Benzoyl peroxide vs. salicylic acid; can you utilize them collectively to deal with pimples?

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are the 2 most well-known and efficient non-prescription pimples preventing medicines. They each work rather well to deal with pimples as a result of,

• each assist take away useless cells clogging your pores,
• benzoyl peroxide kills the pimples inflicting micro organism, and
• salicylic acid is the very best ingredient to penetrate deeply into oily pores.

The underside line with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide:

You need to use these medicines collectively for additive profit! The salicylic acid will assist all topical merchandise penetrate higher into oily pores. Benzoyl peroxide is the ingredient to make use of to kill the pimples inflicting micro organism. Collectively, these pimples medicines work higher than they do alone. 

Each benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid will be irritating so “begin low and gradual” as we are saying on the workplace. In case you assume your pores and skin could also be delicate, begin with one ingredient and slowly add within the second. In my Final Pimples Options Package, the Pimples Therapy Cleanser accommodates a full 2% salicylic acid (the very best allowed focus) plus glycolic acid. Begin with it and the Each day Moisturizing Face Cream. As soon as you might be positive you pores and skin is tolerating the cleanser, then add the Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Pimples Therapy Cream. Apply the Each day Moisturizer on high. I’ve taken the work out of pimples remedy by creating this equipment. 

Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and glycolic acid can be utilized collectively to deal with the pimples and blackheads of pimples.

I’ve mixed these 3 pimples preventing substances for years in my dermatology follow. It is vital to begin gradual and at all times use an pimples pleasant moisturizer to fend off dryness and irritation whereas your pimples is responding to this highly effective trio of substances. – Dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey

Benzoyl peroxide cleansers are the easiest way to deal with again and chest pimples.

Making use of lotions is troublesome on the big expanse of chest and again pores and skin. As an alternative, use medicated cleansers. My Foaming Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Cleanser will be utilized with a Salux Bathe Material. After rinsing-off the cleanser’s lather from pores and skin within the bathe, medicated benzoyl peroxide drugs will stay behind to deal with pimples (and bleach cloth so put on white). You possibly can alternate this with Foaming Zinc Cleanser to deal with the widespread kind of again and chest pimples referred to as Pityrosporum folliculitis. All of the merchandise are available my Again Pimples Package.

Can you utilize benzoyl peroxide in case you are pregnant or nursing?

I’ve to say no. Whereas there may be minimal systemic absorption of BPO into the physique, it’s unclear if benzoyl peroxide is protected to make use of throughout being pregnant or lactation. Until directed by your treating doctor, I have to say that the usage of BPO must be averted throughout being pregnant and nursing.

What is the backside line with benzoyl peroxide remedy of pimples?

Benzoyl peroxide is confirmed to kill the pimples inflicting micro organism higher than any topical antibiotic. It additionally helps break up blackheads and is accessible with out prescription. It combines with many different vital pimples medicines equivalent to salicylic acid. Pores and skin irritation is the commonest drawback with benzoyl peroxide and it may be managed by beginning low and gradual and through the use of an acne-friendly moisturizer to forestall pores and skin dryness. 

References:

J Medication Dermatol. 2013;12(suppl 6):s73-s76.

Matin T, Goodman MB. Benzoyl Peroxide. [Updated 2021 Oct 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-.

Tips of look after the administration of pimples vulgaris, JAAD, VOLUME 74, ISSUE 5, P945-973.E33, MAY 01, 2016

Kircik LH. The function of benzoyl peroxide within the new remedy paradigm for pimples. J Medication Dermatol. 2013 Jun 1;12(6):s73-6. PMID: 23839205.

Sagransky M, Yentzer BA, Feldman SR. Benzoyl peroxide: a overview of its present use within the remedy of pimples vulgaris. Knowledgeable Opin Pharmacother. 2009 Oct;10(15):2555-62. doi: 10.1517/14656560903277228. PMID: 19761357.

Nacht S, Gans EH, McGinley KJ, Kligman AM. Comparative exercise of benzoyl peroxide and hexachlorophene. In vivo research towards propionibacterium acnes in people. Arch Dermatol. 1983 Jul;119(7):577-9. PMID: 6222704.

Afifa Qidwai, Manisha Pandey, Sarvesh Pathak, Rajesh Kumar, Anupam Dikshit,
The rising rules for pimples biogenesis: A dermatological drawback of puberty, Human Microbiome Journal, Quantity 4, 2017, Pages 7-13,

Creator: Dr. Cynthia Bailey M.D. is a Board Licensed dermatologist practising dermatology since 1987. She has performed effectively over 200,000 pores and skin exams throughout her profession and authors the longest operating doctor written pores and skin well being weblog on the earth.