Using Benzoyl Peroxide for Treating Acne

If acne has been bugging you for long, and you’ve tried various over the counter medicines to control acne, then chances are that you’ve heard of benzoyl peroxide. Most of the over the counter topical treatments for acne contain benzoyl peroxide, as it is believed to be the most potent and safe treatment for most types of acne.It’s found in nearly all acne treatment cleansers, creams, ointments, gels and lotions. It’s usually the best for treating mild to moderate acne.

How does it help?

Acne causing bacteria are anaerobic, which means that they cannot survive in an oxygen rich environment. And benzoyl peroxide makes the environment unsuited for the bacteria to thrive, by destroying the pore clogging sebum and by filling up the skin pores with oxygen. As more oxygen gets into the pores, the bacteria colonies slowly begin to tumble, and soon your skin will experience fewer acne breakouts.

There is also one more thing that makes benzoyl peroxide as effective anti-acne, and that is its ability to clear off the dead skin cells, which usually accumulate in the skin’s pores. With the pores remaining unclogged the bacteria are not able to survive and multiply, which stops repeated occurrence of breakouts.

The best way to use benzoyl peroxide based topical treatments

If you’re using any benzoyl peroxide treatment, without the recommendation of a dermatologist, its best to use something mild with the strength not being more than 2.5%. Starting off with higher strengths can easily irritate your skin and causes rashes, so it’s best to start off with the milder versions and get onto the higher strengths as your skin becomes acclimated over time. For best results use it on cleansed and dried skin, and keep it away from your hair and clothes because it has a bleaching effect.

A word of caution

Your skin may become dry and flaky, with the use of benzoyl peroxide, but you must never use any oily creams and lotions on your skin. To hydrate the skin use oil free moisturizing lotions, instead. And although it’s quite safe, if you face any problems like itching, redness, burning or rashes, you must discontinue the usage of benzoyl peroxide and consult your dermatologist.