Benzoyl Peroxide for acne is a commonly used treatment method for breakouts and pimples. It is found in many different over the counter and prescription creams and lotions. But what is it exactly? Does it work? Is it safe?

When it comes to treating acne and other chronic skin conditions, especially those that affect our face or back or other parts of our body that can make us feel self conscious, we’re often willing to try just about anything in order to help make the pimples disappear. While benzoyl peroxide is believed to be generally safe, before using it there are many things you should know and learn about first, as for some it can cause skin problems to actually become worse.

What is Benzoyl Peroxide and How Does it Work?
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the first treatments ever used in successfully reducing acne and has been on the market for many years. Studied by Jack Breitbart of Revlon, it was first used in the 1920′s. It is found in many different lotions, creams, and gels such as Clearasil, Proactiv, and others. It is generally found in a concentration of 2.5%, as anything higher (5-10%) may cause excessive drying, irritation, and other problems that could potentially make skin conditions worse.

It works by creating an environment that the type of bacteria that cause acne do not like to live in. Pimple causing bacteria does not do well in an environment that has a lot of oxygen, and the benzoyl peroxide brings oxygen into the affected region, which helps kill the bacteria which is causing the skin to break out. It also helps clear away dead skin cells, which can help with the prevention of further breakouts from happening.

Is Benzoyl Peroxide the Same as Hydrogen Peroxide?
Many people are familiar with hydrogen peroxide. It’s important however to know that benzoyl peroxide is NOT the same as hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can be corrosive and can do more damage to your skin than good. It should also be noted that Benzoyl peroxide must be in small concentrations or it can be toxic.

What are the Potential Side Effects?
While not everyone will experience side effects from using products that contain Benzoyl Peroxide, for some there may be a few adverse reactions. Most products only contain a concentration of 2.5%, while others may have much higher dosages of 5% or even 10% concentration. In general, the smaller dosages will cause less side effects.

The most common side effect is dryness or irritation of the skin. This can occur from using too much of the product or simply from having sensitive skin. For many people after using the cream for a week or less these symptoms will go away as the body builds a tolerance. When using over the counter medications, lotions, or gels, you will want to make sure that there are not other additive ingredients that may be causing the side effects. Reducing use to every other day may also help overcome the side effects.

If you experience any other side effects such as a rash, itching, or other symptoms, discontinue use and contact your physician or dermatologist, who may be able to recommend something else.

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