acnes (the bacteria will always return after treatment). Unfortunately regular use of Benzoyl Peroxide also leads to an increase in the number of blocked pores which provide the breeding ground for more bacteria.
The higher the percentage of the benzoyl peroxide you're using, the more likely you are to develop dry skin.
Benzoyl peroxide may be used up to twice per day. After cleansing and toning, apply the product in a thin layer around the entire affected area of skin. Let the product dry for a few seconds before applying your moisturizer. If you're new to benzoyl peroxide, start with once a day only.
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.
Try a benzoyl peroxide wash that you can use every day, day and night. Most skin types can handle a twice daily BPO routine. But, sensitive skin may find it to be a bit too drying. If that's the case, reduce your use to two or three days a week.
Repeated sun exposure or benzoyl peroxide use generates free radicals that damage the skin's structure and cellular DNA, resulting in premature aging of the skin.
Benzoyl peroxide 5% gel or wash takes around 4 weeks to start working. It can take 2 to 4 months to have full effect.
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.
Benzoyl Peroxide can cause oxidative damage to your cells when it meets the skin and oxidative damage is linked to skin ageing. However, the scientific community is still unsure whether the free radicals produced by Benzoyl Peroxide travel far enough to cause enough damage to cause irreversible skin ageing.
A dermatologist may not recommend benzoyl peroxide if you have sensitive skin, as this skin type is more prone to side effects such as rashes and irritation. Benzoyl peroxide also might not be the best choice if you have eczema or seborrheic dermatitis.
Don't Mix: Benzoyl peroxide with retinol, acne prescription tretinoin with caution. As previously mentioned, benzoyl peroxide and retinol can deactivate one another when used together.
Does benzoyl peroxide remove acne marks? Acne scars are usually the remains of acne on your skin. Benzoyl peroxide is useful in killing bacteria and shedding dead skin cells and excess oil from skin pores. It cleanses the skin and can help make acne scars look less prominent.
1 If you're just beginning with your benzoyl peroxide treatment, start using moisturizer now, even before you notice any uncomfortable dryness. You may be able to stave off the worst of it. If you've already succumbed to benzoyl peroxide-induced dryness and flakiness, slather on moisturizer as often as necessary.
You'll usually use benzoyl peroxide gel or face wash once or twice a day. If you have sensitive skin, use it once a day, before going to bed. If your skin becomes dry or starts peeling, try using benzoyl peroxide less often. Put it on once a day or once every 2 days, until your skin gets used to it.
True/False? “Benzoyl peroxide creates free radicals and is known to cause premature skin aging, just like repeated sun exposure or persistent acne.” Rest assured, this is inaccurate. Such statements are a misunderstanding of how benzoyl peroxide functions on skin.
Weeks 4 to 6
As you continue to use the benzoyl peroxide, your skin builds up a tolerance to the medication. The side effects ease up. As for those pimples, you may still be getting new breakouts. But, if you take a really close look at your skin, you may notice those pimples aren't quite as big and inflamed.
There are treatment options available that might speed the healing of your pimple. Salicylic acid, sulfur, and benzoyl peroxide are the active ingredients in many of these products. The Mayo Clinic recommends starting with a product that has a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide as its active ingredient.
Purging breakouts look like tiny, red bumps on the skin that are painful when touched. Often, there may be whiteheads and blackheads that appear along with the bumps.
First, lather your face with a Benzoyl Peroxide wash. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse it off with water.
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.
You should not wash the areas of the skin treated with benzoyl peroxide for at least 1 hour after application. Avoid getting this medicine in your hair or on colored fabrics. It may bleach your hair or colored fabrics.
Leave it on for a minute or so before you rinse it off. Then dry the area gently with a towel. As you apply benzoyl peroxide, try to avoid getting it on the sensitive areas of your skin in or around your nostrils, your eyes and your mouth. Do not apply it to any areas of skin which are irritated or sore.
Benzoyl peroxide can be extremely irritating and drying. During the initial weeks, you may experience some dryness, redness, itching, flaking, tightness, or mild peeling. This is temporary and will subside as your skin adapts. Try to put up with some peeling as it will eventually go away.