Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment
What is Benzoyl Peroxide?
If you haven’t heard of it, chances are you’ve used it. 76% of over-the-counter acne products contain Benzoyl Peroxide. It was developed specifically for acne by Revlon in the 70’s. All Peroxides are anti-bacterial, which is how Benzoyl Peroxide works: it destroys the bacterium that causes acne. It’s sold in concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10%, generally in a cream or gel, and sometimes it is prescribed.
Side Effects of Benzoyl Peroxide:
There’s really good news and really bad news. Good news is that Benzoyl Peroxide’s initial side effects (burning, itching, redness) are tolerated by most people after a week. Bad news is that pure Benzoyl Peroxide is toxic, explosive, and may cause tumors (no cases have been filed with diluted B.P.). We strongly recommend 2.5% (studies show 5% and 10% aren’t significantly better anyway).
Perhaps the most annoying side effect is bleaching of your clothes. To avoid ruining your favorite shirt or bleaching your pillowcases, always apply Benzoyl Peroxide after a shower while you’re shirtless or in a white night shirt. Allow 10 minutes to dry (it won’t bleach anything after dried). Finally, always wash your hands thoroughly or you’ll bleach whatever you touch.
Benzoyl Peroxide Conclusion
Why does everyone use it? Because it works! It’s generally the LAST step of 3-Step-Acne solutions because the other 2 steps are preparing the way for optimal delivery of Benzoyl Peroxide (by unclogging and penetrating pores). We can’t recommend anything with Benzoyl Peroxide because the weak cancer link, but it’s cheap and effective.
Our Top Rated acne solutions contain herbal equivalents of benzoyl peroxide, which have proven just as—if not more—effective than Benzoyl Peroxide.
