While allergic reactions from benzoyl peroxide are considered rare, they are still possible. You might also consider skipping an application right before a workout so you don’t transfer the product to your hair and clothing via sweat. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after each use. Stained clothing and hairīenzoyl peroxide is known for staining clothing and hair. You might notice itching and general irritation at the site of application too.ĭon’t use benzoyl peroxide if you have a sunburn. Such effects can lead to dryness, as well as redness and excessive peeling.
OXY MAXIMUM ACTION SPOT TREATMENT ACNE SKIN
Skin side effectsīenzoyl peroxide works by peeling away the skin to get rid of dead skin cells, excessive oil, and bacteria that may be trapped underneath. Talk to a dermatologist about the following side effects and precautions of using benzoyl peroxide for acne. You can also minimize side effects by starting with a lower concentration. It may be helpful to use it once a day, and then build up the frequency in application over time if your skin can tolerate it. This is especially the case when you first start using the product. While considered safe for most people, benzoyl peroxide can cause side effects. Side effects of using benzoyl peroxide on the skin
gels: tend to come in the form of spot treatments with higher concentrations and are typically applied only to the affected area. acne body washes and soaps: ideal if you have frequent breakouts on the chest, back, and other areas of the body. face washes and foams: used once or twice a day to help prevent acne and treat existing lesions. acne creams and lotions: typically applied once or twice a day on the entire area of skin as both a treatment and preventive measure. The face is rather sensitive, so many choose to use a lower concentration (around 4 percent) in that area, while the chest and back are more resilient and can tolerate a higher concentration.īenzoyl peroxide may be found in the following acne treatment products: What concentration to use also depends on where you apply the benzoyl peroxide. Some people can tolerate products with a high percentage of benzoyl peroxide (up to 10 percent) on their skin. The concentration that you choose to use may depend on your skin. Or you might decide to choose a gel.Īnother key is to choose the appropriate concentration. It’s important to select the right one for your skin care concern as well as preference.įor example, you may prefer to use a wash formulated specifically for your body rather than your face. However, research doesn’t support this use.īenzoyl peroxide comes in the form of many acne treatment products. In theory, benzoyl peroxide could also help shed dead skin cells and make the scars less prominent. This is especially the case with inflammatory acne, even if you successfully resist the urge to pick at the lesions.Īcne scars can worsen with sun exposure, so it’s important to wear sunscreen every day. Benzoyl peroxide for acne scarsĪcne scars are sometimes a result of an acne outbreak. Tretinoin products require a prescription. Some adapalene products, such as Differin Gel, are available OTC. While benzoyl peroxide does help treat certain types of acne, topical retinoids are considered the first line of treatment. While benzoyl peroxide can help treat oil and dead skill cells that clog your pores, this may not be the best treatment option available for blackheads and whiteheads. You may be dealing with both of these types of acne and might be wondering if you can use benzoyl peroxide for noninflammatory spots too. However, they are classified as noninflammatory because they don’t cause the red bumps that are associated with other types of acne pimples. Benzoyl peroxide for blackheads and whiteheadsīlackheads and whiteheads are still considered acne. If you have this type of acne, consult a dermatologist for your best treatment options. acnes bacteria is one contributor to cystic acne, which benzoyl peroxide may help treat in combination with prescription medications. While these pimples may have pus deep inside them, it’s difficult to identify any prominent “heads.” It’s characterized by hard bumps below the surface of your skin. Benzoyl peroxide for cystic acneĬystic acne is considered the most serious form of acne, which also makes it the most difficult to treat. Benzoyl peroxide for pimplesīenzoyl peroxide works particularly well for inflammatory acne, which is characterized by red bumps that contain pus - pustules, papules, cysts, and nodules - instead of whiteheads and blackheads. Benzoyl peroxide works to treat and prevent acne by killing bacteria underneath the skin, as well as helping the pores shed dead skin cells and excess sebum (oil).