Is benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid better for cystic acne?

Author: Brittany Paucek PhD  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 3, 2022

While benzoyl peroxide is a staple for treating inflammatory acne, it's worth considering salicylic acid if you also have noninflammatory acne (blackheads and whiteheads). Both help clean pores, but salicylic acid's primary role is to get rid of dead skin cells.

What acid is best for cystic acne?

The best cystic acne treatment products are fortified with powerful clarifying exfoliants like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid to get deep into the pores to get beneath the surface where your pimples are forming and remove the acne-causing impurities that are responsible for your cystic breakouts.

Can I use salicylic acid on cystic acne?

Salicylic acid and sulfur can be fabulous for some kinds of acne, but not for cystic acne. Make sure you hydrate your skin with a good moisturizer so that your skin doesn't feel the need to overproduce its natural oils.

Is salicylic acid better than benzoyl peroxide for acne?

If you have blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid alone should work well to clear out your pores. If your acne tends to be inflammatory, such as papules and pustules, opt for benzoyl peroxide to stop outbreaks at the source. For sensitive skin, start with salicylic acid, since it's less likely to cause irritation.

Does benzoyl peroxide reduce cystic acne?

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.

SALICYLIC ACID VERSUS BENZOYL PEROXIDE| DR DRAY

Which is better salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide?

Salicylic acid is more effective for blackheads and whiteheads. Benzoyl peroxide works well for mild pustules. The severity of your breakouts. Both ingredients are intended for mild breakouts, and they can take several weeks to take full effect.

How do you shrink cystic acne fast?

How to shrink cystic pimples
  1. Cleansing the area: Wash the face with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser to remove any makeup, oil, or dirt.
  2. Applying ice: Wrap an ice cube or cool pack in a cloth and apply to the pimple for 5–10 minutes. ...
  3. Applying a topical treatment: Use a product that contains 2% benzoyl peroxide.

Is it OK to use salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide together?

Can I Use Both Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide Together? "It's safe to use both together at low concentrations to attack your acne on all fronts," the dermatologist explains.

Can we use benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid together?

While both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are effective on their own, using them together is associated with a greater risk of irritation. As such, pairing these two acne ingredients is only recommended for those with severe, stubborn acne.

Can u use salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide together?

Using both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid together can help increase their effectiveness. Many OTC products contain both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. You could even use a cleanser containing salicylic acid, for example, followed by a benzoyl peroxide lotion.

How do you treat a large cystic pimple?

It can take three months or more to clear up acne cysts. Treatment often involves taking oral antibiotics and applying prescription-strength topical gels or creams to the skin. Cystic acne treatments include: Antibiotic creams, gels solutions and lotions to kill bacteria and decrease inflammation.

What works for cystic acne?

Cystic Acne Home Remedies
  • Wash your skin twice a day and after you sweat. ...
  • Don't scrub your skin or use irritating products like exfoliants.
  • Don't touch cysts or pick at blemishes. ...
  • Stay out of the sun and away from tanning beds, which can damage your skin.
  • Try to relax. ...
  • Keep a healthy lifestyle.

How do I get rid of hormonal cystic acne?

How do I treat hormonal acne?
  1. Blackheads and whiteheads: Topical cream (tretinoin).
  2. Inflammatory acne: Topical retinoid and/or topical antibiotic and/or benzoyl peroxide.
  3. Moderate to severe acne: Antibiotic and/or isotretinoin (retinoid).
  4. Cystic acne: Steroid injection (intralesional triamcinolone).

How do you bring a cystic pimple to a head?

Warm compresses and acne stickers can help to bring a pimple to a head so that the sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria can exit to the skin's surface. Using ice can relieve inflammation. If blind pimples occur frequently or are particularly inflamed and painful, a person should seek advice from a dermatologist.

Should I use salicylic acid before benzoyl peroxide?

"I usually recommend choosing just one product that has benzoyl peroxide and one that has salicylic acid," says Dr. Kim. "Start slowly in the beginning, alternating days until your skin gets used to [both products] with no signs of peeling, redness, or irritation."

Is benzoyl peroxide or adapalene better?

Differin (adapalene)

Benzac (benzoyl peroxide) is the most effective over-the-counter treatment for mild acne. Treats acne. Differin (adapalene) is commonly used for treating acne, but, it can cause skin irritation. Available over-the-counter from many brands.

Can benzoyl peroxide make acne worse?

During the first 3 weeks you are using benzoyl peroxide, your skin may become irritated. Also, your acne may seem to get worse before it gets better. If your skin problem has not improved within 4 to 6 weeks, check with your doctor.

Can salicylic acid make acne worse?

Acne treatments — especially those that contain active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid — are drying and a bit harsh on your skin. If you use too many treatments at the same time, your skin may become irritated, and you may actually suffer more breakouts as a result.

Can I use benzoyl peroxide in the morning and salicylic acid at night?

Your treatment plan could include salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide at the same time, but it is best to space them out to decrease your risk for peeling, redness, dermatitis and drying. Doctors suggests switching between products every night, or using one in the AM and the other in the night.

When should you not use benzoyl peroxide?

These serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people. Stop using benzoyl peroxide if: the skin that you're treating becomes swollen. you get blisters on your skin.

How do you squeeze cystic acne?

Never squeeze a cyst

While you may want to pop your cyst open, you should never do so by squeezing or picking at it. Most cysts are nearly impossible to squeeze out with your fingers alone. Plus, you can send bacteria and sebum deep below the hair follicles, causing the materials to spread and make even more cysts.

What type of acne is salicylic acid good for?

Salicylic acid works best for mild acne (blackheads and whiteheads). It can also help prevent future breakouts.

Why do I have so much cystic acne on my chin?

Research suggests that acne on your chin and jawline is often related to hormones , particularly in women. Hormones called androgens stimulate the production of sebum, which is the oil responsible for clogging pores. Acne is very common among teenagers because hormone production increases during this time.

What is the fastest home remedy for cystic acne?

  1. Ice. Because ice is often effective in decreasing swelling, itchiness, pain, and redness, some natural healers suggest rubbing an ice cube on the cystic acne spot until the cold becomes uncomfortable. ...
  2. Aspirin mask. ...
  3. Diet. ...
  4. Vinegar cleanser. ...
  5. Turmeric mask. ...
  6. Probiotics. ...
  7. Tea tree oil.

Why do I get cystic acne on my chin?

"Cystic acne usually occurs in the chin and jaw areas," says Rouleau. "The reason for this is often due to the hormonal shifts and imbalances in the body.

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