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Old reliable: Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide has become to acne treatment what aspirin is to headaches. This topical drug is the most common drug used to treat mild to moderate acne and can be found in products ranging from Oxy to Proactiv.
Over the years, manufacturers have found a way to incorporate benzoyl peroxide into just about anything, such as soaps, moisturizers and regular ointments like the old, reliable tube of Clearasil. The main purpose of benzoyl peroxide is to penetrate pores and kill the bacteria that cause acne. It works as an oxidizing agent and as an antiseptic.
According to the National Institutes of Health, benzoyl peroxide should be applied after the skin has been washed with a good quality soap that does not cause skin irritation. Gently rub a thin layer of benzoyl peroxide over the area that is to be treated and apply at the frequency recommended by the product’s manufacturer. Using the product more frequently than recommended will only dry out your skin without speeding up the treatment process.
How quickly benzoyl peroxide works is really a function of your skin type, the strength of the product formulation and the severity of your acne. According to NIH, results can typically be seen in 4-6 weeks, although some products promise visible results in as little as two weeks.
Side effects of benzoyl peroxide are mild, which is one reason it has become so popular as an over-the-counter drug. In addition to the common side effect of dryness, the drug can cause a variety of skin irritations such as burning, itching, tingling or stinging. If you feel you are developing significant symptoms, consult your physician and discontinue use of the product.
You also should not ingest benzoyl peroxide or get it in your mouth, nose or eyes. As long as you use common sense precautions, benzoyl peroxide is a drug that can be used very safely. It is a very common entry-level product for people with acne and has been around and used safely for generations. If you are looking to treat your mild to moderate acne, benzoyl peroxide is a very logical place to start and can be obtained at just about any drug store or grocery market.
Over the years, manufacturers have found a way to incorporate benzoyl peroxide into just about anything, such as soaps, moisturizers and regular ointments like the old, reliable tube of Clearasil. The main purpose of benzoyl peroxide is to penetrate pores and kill the bacteria that cause acne. It works as an oxidizing agent and as an antiseptic.
According to the National Institutes of Health, benzoyl peroxide should be applied after the skin has been washed with a good quality soap that does not cause skin irritation. Gently rub a thin layer of benzoyl peroxide over the area that is to be treated and apply at the frequency recommended by the product’s manufacturer. Using the product more frequently than recommended will only dry out your skin without speeding up the treatment process.
How quickly benzoyl peroxide works is really a function of your skin type, the strength of the product formulation and the severity of your acne. According to NIH, results can typically be seen in 4-6 weeks, although some products promise visible results in as little as two weeks.
Side effects of benzoyl peroxide are mild, which is one reason it has become so popular as an over-the-counter drug. In addition to the common side effect of dryness, the drug can cause a variety of skin irritations such as burning, itching, tingling or stinging. If you feel you are developing significant symptoms, consult your physician and discontinue use of the product.
You also should not ingest benzoyl peroxide or get it in your mouth, nose or eyes. As long as you use common sense precautions, benzoyl peroxide is a drug that can be used very safely. It is a very common entry-level product for people with acne and has been around and used safely for generations. If you are looking to treat your mild to moderate acne, benzoyl peroxide is a very logical place to start and can be obtained at just about any drug store or grocery market.
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