Treating Acne with Benzoyl Peroxide

At one time or another, most everyone has suffered from an acne breakout. Acne is traditionally associated with embarrassing facial breakouts but can occur on other areas of the body such as the back or chest. While benzoyl peroxide is a popular over the counter treatment, there are some possible side effects that consumers should be aware of.

When seeking a cure or a treatment for acne, most will start with an over the counter product that contains benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is applied topically (applied to the skin) and comes in many forms such as a soap, facial cream or mask. Benzoyl peroxide acts as a cleaning agent to destroy the bacteria that causes acne. It also has anti-inflammatory agents that work to heal existing acne as well as to prevent future breakouts.

When choosing an over the counter acne treatment product that contains benzoyl peroxide, it is important to read the usage instructions. Benzoyl peroxide can cause further skin irritation if it is used excessively. It can dry and irritate the skin severely leaving scars and causing permanent damage to the skin. If while using Benzoyl Peroxide, their is evidence of irritation, the face should be washed immediately with water and a non-irritating soap. It is also suggested that only one form of benzoyl peroxide be used at a time. Using a mixture of products that contain benzoyl peroxide increases the chances of an adverse reaction or excessive irritation.

While most acne will improve with an over the counter acne treatment, if an improvement in the acne is not seen within 30 days of using an over the counter product, it may be time to head to the dermatologist for something stronger.