An essential ingredient for clear skin, benzoyl peroxide helps treat acne and prevent new breakouts.
Why You Should Use Benzoyl Peroxide for Acne
The use of benzoyl peroxide for acne dates back to 1934, but it took until the late 1970s for this ingredient to become the go-to for fighting acne breakouts. Since this time, benzoyl peroxide products have improved dramatically, and more advanced formulas allow for better penetration with less irritation—and overall more effective acne-fighting results.
How benzoyl peroxide products work
Benzoyl peroxide products help clear and prevent acne blemishes in a few ways. First, this ingredient penetrates the pores to kill the P. acnes bacteria that are responsible for acne. At the same time, benzoyl peroxide helps thin the skin on and surrounding acne breakouts, which also enhances its penetration and helps it get rid of acne fast. Finally, using benzoyl peroxide for acne helps decrease the redness and discomfort associated with acne blemishes.
Benzoyl peroxide products come in many forms, ranging from cleansers and lotions to spot treatments and sprays. Those with blemish-prone skin should start their skincare routine with an acne wash that contains benzoyl peroxide. After cleansing, a toner can help remove any lingering dirt and oil before applying a treatment lotion with benzoyl peroxide. (The AcneFree 24 HR Acne Clearing System contains all three!)
[an-columns action="end column"] [an-columns action="end columns"]For occasional breakouts or particularly stubborn pimples, an acne spot treatment with benzoyl peroxide can help speed up skin clearing. Benzoyl peroxide can also be used with other acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and sulfur. Since these ingredients work in different ways to control acne, using benzoyl peroxide products in conjunction with other anti-acne ingredients helps minimize all of the factors that lead to acne breakouts.
Benzoyl peroxide for body acne
Benzoyl peroxide is ideal for body acne treatment as well. It works the same on the face and body, helping to minimize bacteria and clear breakouts on the back, chest and beyond. It’s easy to use an acne wash with benzoyl peroxide in the shower, and a spray is one of the best products for body acne because it can get those hard-to-reach places.
Must-know info about benzoyl peroxide products
Dermatologists recommend acne products with benzoyl peroxide because this ingredient helps clear up acne breakouts fast, and there are a few ways to get the best results. If you experience skin redness or dryness, reduce use to once a day. Because benzoyl peroxide works by increasing oxygen, it can react with the dyes in your clothing, bedding or towels and lead to bleaching. To avoid this, make sure you allow time for benzoyl peroxide products to be absorbed into the skin before getting dressed or getting into bed. Every skincare regimen (with or without benzoyl peroxide) should include a daily sunscreen that is applied every morning, rain or shine, and reapplied at least every two hours during periods of sun exposure. But if you’re using benzoyl peroxide for acne, it’s a good idea to be extra diligent.