Although we always advocate using natural cures for acne for very severe cases these may not be enough and you may have to resort to other products.  There lots of products to help you become acne free, benzoyl peroxide acne products are some of the most popular. OTC products containing benzoyl peroxide include the Clearasil, Acne Free range and Proactiv. Although benzoyl peroxide does have side effects, they are normally minor and it is an effective treatment for most people’s acne. In this benzoyl peroxide evaluation let’s look at several of the products that you can buy and how helpful they are.

How Do Benzoyl Peroxide Preparations Work?

Benzoyl peroxide is a product that causes the release of oxygen deep in the skin. The acne causing bacteria, Propionibacteria acnes, is unable to survive in an oxygen rich environment so this product stops it from growing and causing a problem. Bacteria like this thrive in pores clogged by dirt, dust and dead skin cells which generally happens as a result of out of control hormones which are prone to produce excess sebum in teenagers. Benzoyl peroxide will stop more outbreaks and flareups and should be used continuously, even when there are no outbreaks, rather than as a spot treatment.

What Types of Benzoyl Peroxide Treatments are Available?

Benzoyl peroxide is recommended if you suffer from acne that is mild to moderate and can be bought OTC as a gel with a concentration of 2.5% and also in concentrations up to 10%. It is recommended to start with the 2.5 gel, which is generally very helpful, and only increase the concentration when your skin has become used to it and a lower concentration is not working well enough. You should carefully wash your face once or twice every day with a benzoyl peroxide wash then use the gel or cream. Take care you apply it over all of the affected area to prevent the breakouts in unaffected areas. For those with acne on the body, benzoyl peroxide body washes can be very effective.

Take Care When Using Benzoyl Peroxide Treatments

Take care when you are using a benzoyl peroxide containing product as it may bleach your hair and clothes and your pillow case when you go to bed! If you are using a benzoyl peroxide body wash ensure you are completely dry before you get dressed or you will more than likely bleach your clothes!

Some Side Effects of Benzoyl Peroxide Treatments

In your aim to become acne free, benzoyl peroxide products are extremely effective but you should be familiar with side effects that can be caused by this product. These may include burning or itching of the skin, redness, dryness and perhaps some flaking. Although these are in general insignificant if you find you experience a a more severe reaction immediately stop using the product and talk to a dermatologist who may recommend an alternative preparation. You really should not apply a preparation with high levels of benzoyl peroxide at the outset as your skin may react, so purchase a benzoyl peroxide 2.5 gel at first and use this until your skin gets used to it.

Does Benzoyl Peroxide Have Any Long-Term Side effects?

These types of acne treatments need to be used for a long time to be effective and to stop the acne from coming back. It has been known for a long time that benzoyl peroxide releases free radicals on the skin and it might be thought that skin cancer could be a result in the following used. Scientific studies have failed to produce any evidence for this. Nonetheless if you are nursing or are pregnant, studies have not shown that benzoyl peroxide is safe for your baby so we advise you not to use it at this time.

Conclusion

Benzoyl Peroxide preparations are really useful and usually well tolerated by most people as a remedy for acne. These treatments are in general safe to use for a very long time.