If you’ve been suffering from acne or have skin that’s prone to sudden acne breakouts, you gotta know about this chemical called benzoyl peroxide. It’s a chemical mainly used to treat acne but can also be found in hair bleach and tooth whiteners. Scroll down to read about how exactly benzoyl peroxide helps reduce acne and why you need to try it out…
What does benzoyl peroxide do?
 

What does benzoyl peroxide do?

If you have acne, you must know that a lot of p.acnes bacteria live in your skin, multiplying constantly and only making it worse. They grow deep inside your skin's pores and rely on sebum to propel their growth. This type of bacteria is responsible for acne breakouts, redness, oily and unhealthy skin.  Benzoyl peroxide works as an antiseptic that helps reduce this kind of bacteria by penetrating deep into the pores to loosen dirt that’s accumulated inside them, thus allowing the pores to breathe.

Benzoyl peroxide also has anti-inflammatory properties that help get rid of any redness, swelling or soreness that your skin might be subject to.

How can I use Benzoyl peroxide?
 

How can I use Benzoyl peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide is available in the form of creams, lotions, gels etc. It doesn’t require a prescription and is easily available at any medical store. You can also invest in products that have benzoyl peroxide as their key acne-fighting ingredient.

Benzoyl peroxide tends to dry your skin sometimes, so if you have extremely dry skin, use it along with your moisturiser. Always apply the product on skin that has been cleansed with a mild cleanser for hygiene purposes. You will notice a percentage amount on the packaging of the benzoyl peroxide product that you’re buying. This percentage can either be 2.5, 5 and 10–this means that higher the percentage, the more irritation. If your skin is sensitive, go for 2.5%.

If the burning and itching continues even after a few days of using benzoyl peroxide, chances are that it doesn’t suit your skin and should be avoided further.

Also, don’t skip reading the usage instruction manual/leaflet that comes in the pack before you start using the product. However, if you’re still unsure, consult with your skin specialist.