Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical ingredient that is a clinically-proven, FDA-approved treatment for acne-prone skin. This effective skincare ingredient can help your skin regulate oil production and kills the bacteria involved in acne breakouts
What is benzoyl peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide, also known as BPO, is an organic compound and a member of the class of peroxides. This ingredient is white in color and odorless. Once applied to the skin, it becomes benzoic acid, which is then absorbed into the body. Benzoyl peroxide is used in acne products to help treat acne breakouts.
Benzoyl peroxide can come in a range of particle sizes, so it is often micronized - this means that the particles are made smaller than your pores, so that they can penetrate your skin more effectively.
Benzoyl peroxide benefits
Micronized benzoyl peroxide penetrates deep into your pores, and helps to dissolve dead skin cells. It can also help decrease oil production and has an exfoliating effect, which helps promote skin cell turnover all of which contribute to helping prevent clogged pores.
As well as helping with oil buildup and skin cell turnover, benzoyl peroxide is good for acne as it works to kill bacteria on your skin. It does so by releasing free oxygen radicals into your pores, which in turn eradicate acne-causing bacteria.
Research shows that benzoyl peroxide also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. All of these properties contribute to helping prevent acne breakouts and the formation of whiteheads and blackheads, which are caused by a combination of acne bacteria and your pores becoming blocked with skin cells and oil.
Try Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser, which contains 2.6% micronized benzoyl peroxide. This BPO cleanse starts working immediately to help clear acne breakouts by targeting acne-causing bacteria. Since this cleanser is meant for sensitive skin, it also helps maintain your skin’s moisture barrier.
What does benzoyl peroxide do for the skin
Benzoyl peroxide has several benefits for acne-prone skin, including helping to unclog pores and killing acne-causing bacteria.
How to use benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide exfoliates your skin and kills skin bacteria and products that contain benzoyl peroxide include face washes, creams, gels and serums. Using too much of benzoyl peroxide can make your skin dry and lead to some peeling and irritation, however, Cetaphil’s products that include benzoyl peroxide, are proven to be gentle to your skin. It’s always advised to test any new product on your skin before applying fully.
You can use benzoyl peroxide products with other skincare ingredients and acne treatments, but make sure to use a gentle moisturizer to help hydrate your skin and protect your skin’s moisture barrier. As always, speak to a dermatologist to help treat your acne if it becomes a concern.
References
- Matin, T. and Goodman (2022). Benzoyl Peroxide. Statpearls Publishing; 2022. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537220/
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7187, Benzoyl Peroxide. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Benzoyl-Peroxide. Accessed May 16, 2023.
- Bikowski J. A review of the safety and efficacy of benzoyl peroxide (5.3%) emollient foam in the management of truncal acne vulgaris. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010 Nov;3(11):26-9. PMID: 21103313.
- Waller, JM, Dreher, F, Behnam, S. et al. 'Keratolytic' properties of Benzoyl Peroxide and Retinoic Acid Resemble Salicylic Acid in Man. Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 2006:19(5), 283–289. doi:10.1159/000093984
- Xu H, Li H. Acne, the Skin Microbiome, and Antibiotic Treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2019 Jun;20(3):335-344. doi: 10.1007/s40257-018-00417-3 .