Benzoyl peroxide for skin – the complete guide

Benzoyl peroxide is the most common ingredient for treating acne.

• Helps in treating acne: this chemical works by oxidation, killing acne-forming bacteria. It is also useful for most forms of acne including pustules, papules, nodules, blackheads, and cystic acne.

• A keratolytic and comedolytic agent: it helps in exfoliating clogged pores and sloughs off dead cells.

• May help acne scars: benzoyl peroxide has been shown to reduce acne scars, but research doesn’t support this use.

• Effective against bacteria: it is effective against staphylococcus, malassezia, pseudomonas, cutibacterium, and candida (among other species). Unlike antibiotics, it does not produce bacterial resistance.

Benzoyl peroxide can be drying to the skin and can cause skin irritation, especially for sensitive skin and dry skin. If you have dry skin make sure you moisturize frequently.

Benzoyl peroxide is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin. It should be used with caution for dry skin, sensitive skin (rosacea, dermatitis, or allergies), and skin of colour.

BPO can be used as a wash, cream, or gel. Consider a cream formulation if you have sensitive skin, start with a low percentage such as 2.5%. If you have reactive skin. BPO 10% can be used for treating bacne and blackheads.

• It is best applied at night or in the shower as a wash.

• Apply to the problem area if you’re using a gel or cream. If you are using a wash, leave it on the skin for 60-120 seconds before washing it off.

• Start slow if you have sensitive skin, namely 2.5%, and leave it on for 30 seconds before washing it off, and increase as tolerated.

Be careful when using benzoyl peroxide with retinoids, AHA/BHA’s, and vitamin C as it can increase irritation.

You can use BPO with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, and azelaic acid.

Benzoyl peroxide + Adapalene is the best combination for battling acne. There are prescriptions out there containing both ingredients.

BPO is also combined with clindamycin for acne.

Benzoyl peroxide is considered safe to use for pregnancy and breastfeeding because of its minimal absorption into the skin, but you should still consider consulting a dermatologist.

Yes, benzoyl peroxide can cause purging because it is an ingredient that can increase the cellular turnover rate.

It is recommended to use benzoyl peroxide if you’re using oral and or topical antibiotics to reduce resistance, benzoyl peroxide can be used as monotherapy (mechanism of action inhibits resistance).

Yes, you can use them together, there is also a prescription that combines them or use them separately.

Yes, benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin topical is safe to use for pregnancy.

It can happen mostly with leave-on products and it is unlikely to happen with cleansers.

Benzoyl peroxide minimizes resistance to topical clindamycin and erythromycin.

No, benzoyl peroxide does not thin out the skin.

Yes, it is safe to use a BPO wash before tazarotene, and will not destabilize tazarotene.

Benzoyl peroxide could cause more PIH if you are getting irritation or less commonly allergic reaction.

Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide with differin and is perfectly safe. You can use both products at night.

1. Wash your face and moisturize. This helps to reduce dryness and irritation.
2. After the moisturizer has absorbed, apply the differin gel to the whole face (avoid the eyes) and once it has dried and absorbed into the skin, you can go ahead with the benzoyl peroxide, it can be used as a spot treatment, or a face wash (2.5 % or lower is better).

Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide with alpha arbutin as long as you use it at separate times of the day. You can use alpha arbutin in the morning and benzoyl peroxide at night.

Yes, it may be safe to use benzoyl peroxide with kojic acid as long as you use it at separate times of the day. You can use kojic acid in the morning and benzoyl peroxide at night. Make sure to use this combination with caution.

Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide with tretinoin as long as you use them both at separate times of the day. You can benzoyl peroxide in the morning and tretinoin at night.

You can also use benzoyl peroxide as a wash in the morning and apply tretinoin at night. Make sure to moisturize before and after applying the two ingredients.

Note: You need to be an advanced user of Tretinoin (meaning that you need to have been using Tretinoin for quite some time before you can add benzoyl peroxide into the mix). Using them both at the same time can lead to excessive drying, irritation, redness, peeling, and worsening of acne).

Yes, you can use tretinoin + clindamycin + benzoyl peroxide as long as you use them both at separate times of the day. You can use clindamycin + benzoyl peroxide in the morning and tretinoin at night.

You can get clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide together in the form of a gel (ask your doctor). Do not buy or use them separately.

Note: You need to be an advanced user of Tretinoin (meaning that you need to have been using Tretinoin for quite some time before you can add clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide into the mix). Using this combination at the same time will lead to excessive dryness, redness, peeling, redness, and irritation.

Yes, benzoyl peroxide can be used for perioral dermatitis and is completely safe. You can use benzoyl peroxide as a face wash or a gel or cream (consult a doctor).

Yes, benzoyl peroxide can be used for seborrheic dermatitis and is completely safe. You can use benzoyl peroxide as a gel/cream or face wash (consult a doctor).

Yes, benzoyl peroxide can be used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. You can get it in the form of a cleanser or wash.