In this post, we will talk about the acne-fighting ingredient, Benzoyl Peroxide, and everything you need to know about it before including it in your acne skincare routine
Is Benzoyl peroxide good for acne? With so many products out there that claim to help acne, it can be overwhelming and expensive to know which ones are worth your time.
The Chances are if you have ever suffered from acne, you have come across benzoyl peroxide. It has been around for years and although not a new or hyped-about product, it is backed by evidence and is really known to fight acne.
How Does Benzoyl Peroxide Work For Acne?
Benzoyl peroxide works via several different mechanisms to fight acne making it such a good ingredient. It is antimicrobial, so kills acne-causing bacteria, is an exfoliant that helps to unclog pores, and gently works on the surface layer of skin to get rid of dead skin cells.
It is also an anti-inflammatory so it helps to calm down red angry acne breakouts
The ingredient’s ability to squash acne-causing bacteria in its tracks is especially important because it means that, in some cases, it can be used to tame acne in place of antibiotics. And we all know what happens when antibiotics are used for too long: resistance. Using benzoyl peroxide, either in place of or in combination with antibiotics, helps to mitigate the issue.
Although benzoyl peroxide has acne microbial ingredients, it is not an anti-biotic. This is good because it mitigates the risk of causing antibiotic resistance whilst still reducing the bacteria on the face which contributes to acne.
Will Benzoyl Peroxide Work For My Type Of Acne?
As mentioned the varied mechanism of action against acne means that Benzoyl Peroxide will work against most types of acne. It is helpful for inflamed red flare-ups as well as comedones (black or white heads) and pustular acne ( bumps where there might be pus visible).
It can also be good for cystic acne however this is one of the hardest forms of acne to fix and additional ingredients or treatments are likely to be needed as well.
Check out the post; How To Get Rid Of Cystic Acne for more information on getting rid of cystic acne.
Can Anyone Use Benzoyl Peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide can cause irritation, this presents in the form of redness and very dry skin. People with sensitive skin may want to avoid this or introduce it into their skincare routine slowly.
It is also possible to have an allergy to benzoyl peroxide, if a rash develops it is advised to stop using the product and discuss with a medical professional.
Benzoyl peroxide is not to be used around the eyes, nose, or mouth. It may cause severe irritation.
It is also important to protect the skin from UV light after use.
The Best Products With Benzoyl Peroxide
1. Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment with Benzoyl Peroxide
Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment with Benzoyl Peroxide contains a high strength of Benzoyl peroxide making it perfect for breakouts as a spot treatment.
2. Differin Daily Deep Cleanser
Differin Daily Deep Cleanser contains five percent benzoyl peroxide and is formulated with a gentle moisturizing to help with some of the drying effects of BP. It is a great cleanser for all types of acne.
3.Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10%
Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10% is an extra-strength spot treatment containing 10% benzoyl peroxide. It is to be used as a spot treatment for fast results, it also gets rid of whiteheads and blackheads and prevents further breakouts.
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