What benzoyl peroxide should I use, and why?
- Face Up ® (containing Benzoyl Peroxide, Sulfur)
- Inova 8-2 ® (containing Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid)
- NuOx ® (containing Benzoyl Peroxide, Sulfur)
- Sulfoxyl ® (containing Benzoyl Peroxide, Sulfur)
- Vanoxide-HC ® (containing Benzoyl Peroxide, Hydrocortisone)
Why is benzoyl peroxide bad for You?
Benzoyl Peroxide, an ingredient used in many acne products, generates free radicals and skin damage. It promotes skin damage in a manner similar to unprotected sun exposure. The redness caused by the application of Benzoyl Peroxide to the skin is a visible demonstration of "oxidative stress" or free radicals causing skin damage to the ...
Does benzoyl peroxide really work?
Does benzoyl peroxide really work? Benzoyl peroxide does not, however, cure acne. Instead, it treats the acne and reduces the amount of bacteria. If you cease using the benzoyl peroxide, the acne-causing bacteria can return to your skin and your acne may re-appear. Why is benzoyl peroxide the secret to clear skin? Benzoyl peroxide has an antibacterial effect.
How often should I apply benzoyl peroxide?
To use the facial mask:
- Before applying, wash the affected area with a nonmedicated cleanser. Then rinse and pat dry.
- Using a circular motion, apply a thin layer of the mask evenly over the affected area.
- Allow the mask to dry for 15 to 25 minutes.
- Then rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.
How long does it take for benzoyl peroxide to work?
Benzoyl peroxide usually takes about 4 weeks to start working. It can take up to 2 to 4 months for the treatment to have its full effect. What can I do if benzoyl peroxide does not work? Speak to a doctor if your skin does not improve with benzoyl peroxide, or if acne is making you feel very unhappy.
At what percentage is benzoyl peroxide effective?
Benzoyl peroxide is effective in the treatment of most forms of acne. It is typically placed over the affected areas in gel or cream form, in concentrations beginning at 2.5% and increasing through the usually effective 5% to up to 10%.
Does benzoyl peroxide make acne worse before it gets better?
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.
Is benzoyl peroxide good for all acne?
Benzoyl peroxide topical acne treatment can be used to treat any type of acne, but it is most effective on inflammatory acne, called acne vulgaris. It can also be used for whiteheads, blackheads, and cystic acne, but it should be used in combination with other medications for these types of acne.
Is benzoyl peroxide 10% too strong?
Krant and Dr. Garshick maintain that benzoyl peroxide is just as effective in treating acne at 2.5 percent and 5 percent as it is at 10 percent. The difference, both dermatologists say, is that the higher percentages run the risk of irritating or drying out the skin too much.
What's the difference between 4% benzoyl peroxide and 10%?
4% & 10% Refer to the Strength of the Product The strength of benzoyl peroxide products available without a prescription ranges between 2.5% and 10%. They all essentially do the same job, but if you were to ask a dermatologist, they're likely to recommend trying a lower strength to begin with.
How do you know if benzoyl peroxide is working?
Around eight to 10 weeks after you start using the product, your skin should be much clearer. You'll still have the odd spot or two. If the treatment didn't work as well as you wanted, it's a good idea to visit a dermatologist. A prescription treatment might work better.
Is benzoyl peroxide better than salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid is more effective for blackheads and whiteheads. Benzoyl peroxide works well for mild pustules. The severity of your breakouts. Both ingredients are intended for mild breakouts, and they can take several weeks to take full effect.
How do you know if acne is clearing up?
After a few weeks of purging, your skin and acne will have noticeably improved. Breaking out is when your skin is reacting because it is sensitive to something in the new product. You may get spots in a new area that you don't typically and they take longer to go away.
Does benzoyl peroxide fade dark spots?
Dark spots But constantly touching the zit can leave behind a stubborn dark spot or scar that can take weeks if not months to fade. But benzoyl peroxide can help you get rid of the dark spot quicker. It has the ability to slough off dead skin cells, making dark spots and scars appear less prominent.
Can I use benzoyl peroxide everyday?
It is recommended that you use benzoyl peroxide products once or twice each day. If you have sensitive skin or you experience excessive skin redness or peeling, just use the product once each day at night time.
Can you put moisturizer over benzoyl peroxide?
If you use a product containing benzoyl peroxide, it is best to wait until this product has been fully absorbed before applying a serum and/or moisturiser. Benzoyl peroxide works best when it has the chance to absorb into the skin first. This only takes a few seconds.
What is 5% benzoyl peroxide?
Tube of a water-based 5% benzoyl peroxide preparation for the treatment of acne. Benzoyl peroxide is effective for treating acne lesions. It does not induce antibiotic resistance. It may be combined with salicylic acid, sulfur, erythromycin or clindamycin ( antibiotics ), or adapalene (a synthetic retinoid ).
What is the abbreviation for Benzoyl peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide. E928 (glazing agents, ...) 2, often abbreviated as (BzO) 2. In terms of its structure, the molecule can be described as two benzoyl ( C. 5−C (=O)−, Bz) groups connected by a peroxide ( −O−O− ).
What is the most important organic peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most important organic peroxides in terms of applications and the scale of its production. It is often used as a convenient oxidant in organic chemistry.
What is BPO used for?
As a medication, benzoyl peroxide is mostly used to treat acne, either alone or in combination with other treatments. Some versions are sold mixed with antibiotics such as clindamycin.
Does benzoyl peroxide cause acne?
It is sebostatic, comedolytic, and inhibits growth of Cutibacterium acnes, the main bacterium associated with acne. In general, acne vulgaris is a hormone-mediated inflammation of sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Hormone changes cause an increase in keratin and sebum production, leading to blocked drainage. C. acnes has many lytic enzymes that break down the proteins and lipids in the sebum, leading to an inflammatory response. The free-radical reaction of benzoyl peroxide can break down the keratin, therefore unblocking the drainage of sebum (comedolytic). It can cause nonspecific peroxidation of C. acnes, making it bactericidal, and it was thought to decrease sebum production, but disagreement exists within the literature on this.
Is benzaldehyde soluble in water?
5−C (=O)−, Bz) groups connected by a peroxide ( −O−O− ). It is a white granular solid with a faint odour of benzaldehyde, poorly soluble in water but soluble in acetone, ethanol, and many other organic solvents.
Is benzoyl peroxide explosive?
Explosion hazard. Concentrated benzoyl peroxide is potentially explosive like other organic peroxides, and can cause fires without external ignition. The hazard is acute for the pure material, so the compound is generally used as a solution or a paste.
How to use benzoyl peroxide?
How to Use a Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser. Use a BPO cleanser as the first step in your daily regime, ideally in the evening; this will help to clear away impurities that have built up on your skin during the day. To apply, massage a small amount of product into damp skin. Rinse off the cleanser thoroughly with warm water.
What is a BPO cleanser?
Use a BPO cleanser as part of your daily routine to clear out excess oil, impurities and bacteria from your pores. BPO is best suited to those with oily and acne-prone skin, while those with sensitive and dry skin types are likely to find it too harsh.
What is the best cleanser for acne?
Alternatives to Benzo yl Peroxide Cleansers. There is a wide variety of cleansers on the market that are specially formulated to treat acne-prone and oily skin. While BPO is an effective treatment, there are several alternative ingredients that provide similar results. Salicylic acid cleanser. Salicylic acid is an alternative acne treatment ...
What is the best acne treatment?
Salicylic acid cleanser. Salicylic acid is an alternative acne treatment that works by exfoliating the inside of your pores, dissolving oils and debris. It is oil-soluble, which allows it to penetrate deep into your pores to provide a thorough cleanse.
What is the concentration of BPO in body wash?
The concentration of BPO in over-the-counter products typically ranges between 2.5% and 10%. Milder formulas are associated with fewer side effects, and there is limited research to suggest that strong concentrations are any more effective in treating acne. Benzoyl peroxide body wash.
How to use BPO?
To apply, massage a small amount of product into damp skin. Rinse off the cleanser thoroughly with warm water. It’s important to follow up with a nourishing moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. BPO can be drying when used too often, therefore it’s safer to limit your use to once per day.
Can you rinse off BPO cream?
Unlike topical creams that are left to absorb into your skin, BPO cleansers are designed to be rinsed off with warm water. Studies have shown that despite only being in contact with your skin for a limited time, BPO cleansers are still effective in fighting bacteria and reducing the number of inflamed lesions.
How does benzoyl peroxide help with acne?
Benzoyl peroxide works in four ways to treat acne. It: 1 Reduces bacteria: Benzoyl peroxide quickly absorbs into the skin where it kills 99.9% of bacteria almost immediately. In acne, a bacteria known as C. acnes grows inside acne lesions. 2 Reduces inflammation: By killing bacteria, benzoyl peroxide may reduce inflammation inside acne lesions. 3 Exfoliates the skin: Benzoyl peroxide functions as a peeling agent by drying the skin and helping skin cells flake off. This helps to prevent pores from becoming clogged and leading to acne lesions. 4 Clears clogged pores: Some chemicals dissolve in water and others dissolve in oil. Benzoyl peroxide dissolves in oil. This is important because skin pores are filled with skin oil, and benzoyl peroxide can therefore penetrate into pores where it can then work to kill bacteria and unclog the pore. 4
When was benzoyl peroxide first used?
Benzoyl peroxide was first used to treat acne in 1965 and since then has been increasingly relied on to treat acne, either alone or in combination with other anti-acne medications, such as retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene).
How long does it take for side effects to subside after taking benzoyl peroxide?
These side effects occur within the first few weeks of treatment, and dramatically subside after a few weeks of use. 2,4. When using benzoyl peroxide, it's important to start slowly, using only a pea-sized amount of benzoyl peroxide and only using it once a day for the first week to limit these side effects.
What is the best retinoid for acne?
A 2009 review published in the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology examined a study that compared the efficacy of combining 6% benzoyl peroxide with 0.1% tretinoin, which is a retinoid that is commonly used for the treatment of acne.
What is the concentration of benzoyl peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide is a common topical acne treatment that is found in both over-the-counter as well as prescription products with concentrations ranging from 2.5 - 10%.
How much does adapalene peroxide decrease acne scars?
When it comes to acne scars, the number of acne scars decreased modestly by 16% on the side of the face treated with adapalene/benzoyl peroxide, and increased by 14% on the side treated with the placebo gel.
How long does it take for benzoyl peroxide to harden?
It takes approximately one month for the skin to become accustomed to benzoyl peroxide, and dermatologists refer to the discomfort during this initial time period as the "hardening effect" of benzoyl peroxide.
What is benzoyl peroxide used for?
What is Benzoyl Peroxide? Benzoyl peroxide is a chemical used for treating acne and comes in various forms. It has been harnessed as an acne-fighting ingredient for years and is well-regarded as a reasonable solution for all types of skin.
What is the best acne treatment?
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most well-established acne treatments on the planet and is recommended by the world’s finest dermatologists. Years of quality research has gone into benzoyl peroxide, how it works, and the value it offers when put to use on your skin.
Overview
Medical uses
Benzoyl peroxide is effective for treating acne lesions. It does not induce antibiotic resistance. It may be combined with salicylic acid, sulfur, erythromycin or clindamycin (antibiotics), or adapalene (a synthetic retinoid). Two common combination drugs include benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin and adapalene/benzoyl peroxide, an unusual formulation considering most retinoids are deactivated b…
History
Benzoyl peroxide was first prepared and described by Liebig in 1858. It was the first organic peroxide prepared intentionally.
In 1901, J. H. Kastle and his graduate student A. S. Loevenhart observed that the compound made the tincture of guaiacum tincture turn blue, a sign of oxygen being released. Around 1905, Loevenhart reported on the successful use of BPO to treat various skin conditions, including burns, …
Non-medical uses
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most important organic peroxides in terms of applications and the scale of its production. It is often used as a convenient oxidant in organic chemistry.
Like most peroxides, it is a powerful bleaching agent. It has been used for the bleaching of flour, fats, oils, waxes, and cheeses, as well as a stain remover.
Benzoyl peroxide is also used as a radical initiator to induce chain-growth polymerization reaction…
Safety
Concentrated benzoyl peroxide is potentially explosive like other organic peroxides, and can cause fires without external ignition. The hazard is acute for the pure material, so the compound is generally used as a solution or a paste. For example, cosmetics contain only a small percentage of benzoyl peroxide and pose no explosion risk.
Reactivity
The original 1858 synthesis by Liebig reacted benzoyl chloride with barium peroxide, a reaction that probably follows this equation:
2 C6H5C(O)Cl + BaO2 → (C6H5CO)2O2 + BaCl2
Benzoyl peroxide is usually prepared by treating hydrogen peroxide with benzoyl chloride under alkaline conditions.
External links
• "Benzoyl peroxide". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
• International Chemical Safety Card 0225
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0052". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).