If you suffer from acne you will be looking for an effective treatment that won't make your skin dry and flaky and that is also good value for money. As you will be using these products for quite some time you will want to find an effective product that isn't going to leave you broke! One of the most effective ingredients used in acne products is benzoyl peroxide and we'll look at two of the most popular products that contain this ingredient here.
Most people can tolerate a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide product well but before you use one you need to be aware of the side effects. If you have never used this type of product before take care that you don't use if too often at first. It is tempting to apply it frequently in the hope that more often will lead to quicker results but this is not the best way. Only apply twice a day at first until you know how your skin is reacting. Side effects include redness, itching and dryness and these are more likely to occur if you use a high concentration cream. You should start with a low concentration such as 2.5% and only go on to a higher concentration if your skin does not react to this and if you are not getting results. For most people a 2.5% is adequate to clear their acne.
Although there are more popular products that contain high concentrations of benzoyl peroxide we'll look at only those that contain a lower 2.5% of active ingredient in this article. The first one we'll consider is produced by Acne.org. It is formulated not to be drying to the skin and should be used with the program laid out on their website. Customers who used this product at Amazon gave it an overall rating of the top five stars and found it to be effective and pleasant to use. It contains no fragrance and is considerably less drying than many other benzoyl peroxide products. It can be bought for less than $20 for an 8oz bottle or in a kit with cleanser and moisturiser. For those who are new to using a benzoyl peroxide product and who have mild to moderate acne this product is recommended.
Our second product is the Proactiv Acne Treatment System which consists of a kit containing lotion, toner, cleanser and mask. The cleanser contains exfoliating beads to prepare your skin by thoroughly cleaning the pores and the toner is gentle and alcohol free with ingredients designed to soothe inflamed skin. The lotion contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and is formulated to be gentle, non drying and non irritating. The Proactive kit received a four star rating by customers at Amazon.
These products will be effective against acne if used as directed. Although they may take a little longer to work than the high concentration benzoyl peroxide products they are much less irritating to the skin and will be less likely to cause redness and flaky skin than products with a higher level of the active ingredient.
Find out more and see the Top Ten Best Benzoyl Peroxide Products for Acne
Benzoyl peroxide products for acne are very effective and used by many people who use them successfully to become acne free. Benzoyl peroxide is the main active ingredient in products such as Clearasil, ProActive and the Acne Free range of products. The side effects from using benzoyl peroxide products are usually mild and most people with mild to moderate acne find them to be very useful in treating their acne. How does benzoyl peroxide work and how should it be used to be the most effective? We'll try to answer your questions here.
How do Benzoyl Peroxide Products Work?
Acne is caused by the bacteria Propionibacteria acnes which needs an oxygen free atmosphere to grow. This bacteria thrives in the pores of the skin which become clogged by dust, dirt, dead skin cells which happens when the hormones that increase during puberty produce too much sebum. The sebum attracts the dust and dirt resulting in clogging of the pores and encourages the growth of the acne causing bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide releases oxygen into the skin's pores and prevents the bacteria from growing. However, once the acne is under control the underlying causes, the excess of sebum clogging the pores, will still be present so treatment should continue or new breakouts and flareups will occur. In addition it is best to use benzoyl peroxide all over the skin, not just in the affected spots, to prevent outbreaks occurring on previously clear skin.
Benzoyl peroxide products are available in a range of different strengths and preparations. We recommend that you start with a 2.5% gel which is very effective and will give you the minimum of side effects. Only if this does not work sufficiently well should you increase the concentration to 10%. Gently wash your face once or twice a day, no more, and then apply the gel all over the areas that are affected, not just the spots, to make sure you prevent the clear skin from breaking out. For those who have acne on the body you can purchase a benzoyl peroxide body wash.
Are There any Side Effects?
Benzoyl peroxide products have been known to cause some side effects but these are generally mild, especially if you start with a low concentration and only increase it when your skin has become accustomed. Some people have experienced redness, irritation and burning sensations as well as some flaking of the skin. These symptoms are generally very mild and will subside in a few days but if you find they are more severe stop using the preparation and talk to a dermatologist who may be able to offer you alternatives.
You should also take care when using a benzoyl peroxide product as the active ingredient is a bleach and can damage your clothes and even your hair! When using a body wash containing benzoyl peroxide you should make sure you are thoroughly dry before putting on your clothes or laying down to sleep or you could bleach your clothes or the bedclothes!
Are Benzoyl Peroxide Products Safe to Use Long Term?
If you have more than the occasional acne breakout you may be using a benzoyl peroxide product for a very long time? Are they safe to use this way? It is known that these products produce free radicals in the skin which have been associated with skin cancer but studies have shown that this is not the case and that long term use is safe. However there have not been any studies to date on the effect of benzoyl peroxide on unborn or nursing babies. Although no one has shown that using these products when you are pregnant or nursing is harmful to your baby it has not been shown to be safe so it is best to avoid their use in these circumstances.
Conclusion
In conclusion then we can say that benzoyl peroxide products are safe, effective treatments for mild to moderate acne and are freely available to buy. If you use them sensibly and start with a lower concentration product you should not have more than temporary side effects and you should see a big improvement in your acne and achieve a clear skin in a reasonably short time.
