Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Remedies

Benzoyl peroxide is often included in over-the-counter acne remedies because it has several qualities that help destroy and prevent acne. Given the large number of products available on the market, though, it is often difficult for consumers to determine which companies have the most effective benzoyl peroxide acne remedies. Proactiv has found that including various levels of benzoyl peroxide in its products allows consumers to choose the acne remedies that are right for them. When making a selection, it is best to choose the lowest concentration that provides good results.

Using Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Remedies

Benzoyl peroxide acne remedies do three things: clean pores, kill bacteria, and create an oxygen-rich environment.

Unlike soap, benzoyl peroxide has the ability to break up the combination of skin oils and dead cells that often clog pores. Once your cores have been unclogged, the healing can begin.

The benzoyl peroxide acne remedies infiltrate the pore. This is where the active ingredient encounters acne-causing bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide has antibacterial properties that allow it to kill the bacteria on contact.

Once the bacteria have been destroyed, benzoyl peroxide acne remedies begin to introduce more oxygen to your skin. The oxygen-rich environment makes it more difficult for bacteria to re-enter the pore. As long as you can prevent bacteria from getting into clogged pores, you will not have to worry about acne.

Concentrations of Benzoyl Peroxide in Acne Remedies

Over-the-counter acne remedies usually have between 1 and 10 percent concentrations of benzoyl peroxide. Few people get many benefits from a 1 percent solution, so Proactiv does not sell acne remedies with such a small amount of active ingredient. It’s hardly right to even call such a small amount a true “acne remedy.” 10 percent, on the other hand, is too much for most people to handle. Such a large dose often causes side effects that rival the acne itself. Proactiv’s extra-strength acne remedies, therefore, have a 7.5 percent concentration. It’s strong enough to take on even the most severe cases of acne, but not so strong that it causes problematic side effects overnight.

Common Side Effects of Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Remedies

Before using benzoyl peroxide acne remedies, you should know about the potential side effects. Very few of them are problematic. Some, however, are quite annoying.

The most common side effects include irritation, dryness, itchiness, and flaking. These symptoms are usually mild. Using an oil-free moisturizer can often reverse the negative effects of benzoyl peroxide acne remedies. If you start to notice dry skin, then apply a moisturizer designed for acne-prone skin. Proactiv makes several options.

The less common, but more problematic, side includes include swelling and burning. Obviously you want to avoid these side effects, so always start with acne remedies that contain low concentrations of benzoyl peroxide.

If you find that over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide acne remedies do not work for you, then you should contact a dermatologist. There are some skin conditions that do not react well to benzoyl peroxide, so you will want to seek a professional medical opinion before moving on to other options.