November 24, 2007
Acne Treatments - All About Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide, a potent antibacterial agent that kills P. acnes, the bacteria that are involved in producing acne, is the most commonly used OTC acne medication, and for good reason — it works!
Benzoyl peroxide dries and peels the skin and removes dead cells, helps to clear blocked follicles, the non-inflammatory comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), and it works on the papules and pustules. A triple threat!
Unlike antibiotics and other prescription medications, you can use benzoyl peroxide for months, even years at a time, and there are really no long-term side effects including tolerance (bacterial resistance) associated with it.
You can find benzoyl peroxide in many brand-name OTC products, such as Clearasil, Oxy, Clean and Clear, PanOxyl, and Neutrogena, as well as less-expensive generic or store brand products. You can also find it in creams, gels, lotions, foams, soaps, washes, masks, and scrubs and in combination with other topical products.
Here are a couple of little tidbits to keep in mind:
- Of all the benzoyl-peroxide options, creams, lotions, and pads are more effective than washes, soaps, and scrubs.
- Benzoyl peroxide is available as a prescription, but prescription benzoyl peroxide formulations are no more effective than OTC products, they just cost more.
Benzoyl peroxide is designed to treat existing acne and prevent future breakouts. If you have acne vulgaris, you should use it even when your face is clear. Women can use it regularly to prevent or minimize hormone-related acne breakouts.
The strength of benzoyl peroxide varies in the different products, ranging from 2.5 to 10.0 percent. Lower strength benzoyl peroxide preparations, such as 2.5 percent, are less irritating than the higher strength 5 percent and 10 percent concentrations and are just as effective for most people, plus they're cheaper! Start out using the lowest dose possible, and then move up in strength if you need to. You minimize the chances of irritation and hopefully save some money.
In general, you begin using benzoyl peroxide products sparingly and then work toward more frequent application (follow the instructions that accompany the package — if you don't understand them, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you). Here are some general guidelines:
- Start out doing this every other night. After you wash your face, sparingly apply a very thin layer to areas of your skin that have acne or are acne-prone. Avoid your eyes, lips, and the corners of your mouth, which are often very sensitive.
- As you are able to tolerate it, build up to once or even twice daily if you're not making too much progress.
When you choose a benzoyl peroxide treatment, keep these points in mind:
- Benzoyl peroxide can be irritating to your skin. For that reason, you should avoid abrasive, harsh, or drying soaps and cleansers while using it. After all, you don't want to add to the irritation by physically scrubbing your skin.
- Benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair, sheets, towels, and clothing. (It contains peroxide, a powerful bleach.) To avoid the bleaching effect, an old T-shirt should be worn after applying benzoyl peroxide to acne on the back or chest. Also, make sure the benzoyl peroxide has completely dried before the treated skin touches towels, clothes, or bedding (towels, sheets, and pillowcases should be white).
- You can apply makeup or other skin-care products, such as moisturizer, over benzoyl peroxide.
- Be patient, acne responds very slowly to treatment. It may take several months before you notice significant improvement. To prevent new lesions from forming, continue using benzoyl peroxide even after your acne clears.
Dryness of the treated area can be expected and is usually mild. If your skin is visibly scaly, apply a light, non-oily moisturizer, like Eucerin Daily Control & Care Moisturizer, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, or Olay Oil-Free Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid.
You may experience a mild burning sensation or reddening of the skin when you first start to apply benzoyl peroxide. Irritation and burning are common, but usually disappear in two to three weeks.
If the preparation you're applying causes too much redness, peeling, or dryness of your skin, reduce the number of times a day that you use it, or use a weaker strength. If necessary, discontinue using it altogether.
Use of benzoyl peroxide products may also cause contact dermatitis (red, dry, inflamed, itchy skin) due to irritation or allergy. It can be treated with a topical steroid such as a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, which is available without a prescription. Look for the brand names Cortaid or Cortizone 10, or store brand equivalents.
