Will Benzoyl Peroxide Stop Acne from Recurring?

Unfortunately, acne is not a condition that when treated, disappears for good. For most people, acne is a regular part of everyday life. Even when your skin is clear, or clearer, there is the chance that the acne could come back. Particularly with facial acne, break outs can be embarrassing. So, what can be done to stop recurring acne?

Medications to Stop Acne

When it comes to treating acne, there are two medications that can be used: salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Not only do these medications treat acne flare ups, but they can also help stop break outs from happening again. Depending on the severity of your acne, you may choose to use one or both types of medication in your fight to stop acne from reappearing on your face.

How Salicylic Acid Can Stop Acne

Salicylic acid is the milder of the two medications and is often recommended when first starting treatment. Differing concentrations of salicylic acid can be found in lotions, cleansers and toners, making it easy to find and use. Salicylic acid breaks down dead skin cells so helps prevent blogged pores in your skin. It is a good option for those with mild acne, or uninfected acne. For those with more severe acne, using a salicylic toner is a good way to prepare your skin before applying a benzoyl peroxide cream.

When starting any new acne treatment, always choose the lowest level of medication and work your way up if the treatment isn’t helping. Many people choose to apply a toner that contains salicylic acid once they have cleaned and dried their skin.

Why Benzoyl Peroxide Will Stop Acne

Benzoyl peroxide is a harsher acne treatment and is recommended for moderate to severe acne, especially if treatment with salicylic acid alone has failed. In most cases, benzoyl peroxide is found in cream-based medications in concentrations of 10% or higher. As with salicylic acid, you should start with lower concentrations of benzoyl peroxide and then work your way up to higher levels if needed. Lower doses of benzoyl peroxide can be found in over-the-counter creams, lotions and gels, while for higher levels, you will need a prescription.

Moderate and severe acne is marked by the appearance of blemishes that have been infected by Propionibacteria acne (P. acne). When pores in the skin become clogged, this bacteria (that is found on all skin) thrives. Pimples are a result of our body trying to fight the bacteria.

Benzoyl peroxide works by adding oxygen into the blocked skin pore, which kills off the bacteria. As the bacteria are killed off, the response by our body decreases and pimples disappear. Also, break outs occur less and less often as the number of bacteria found in the skin is reduced.

As well as killing off the P. acnes bacteria, benzoyl peroxide can stop acne due to the fact that it breaks down dirt and dead skin cells found in the pores. By keeping the skin pores clear, benzoyl peroxide actually prevents acne from recurring. It is important to note that benzoyl peroxide treatments will have to continue after your skin has cleared to reduce the chances of your acne flaring up again.