Acne is one of the most common skin challenges in the U.S., and it’s not just limited to teenagers. In fact, it impacts all ages, races, and genders. Nearly 60 million Americans have active acne and 20 million are at risk of developing scar tissue as a result.
If you are looking for assistance in achieving clear skin, we recommend participating in our online Acne Coaching program.
What is Benzoyl Peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a white or off-white water-soluble crystalline powder in the organic peroxide family that has been used in acne treatment formulas for more than 80 years. It works as a bleaching and peeling agent, is antimicrobial, increases cell turnover, reduces bacterial count, clears up existing acne, and prevents future breakouts.
Benzoyl peroxide offers the following benefits:
- It peels skin like salicylic or resorcinol, reducing blockages.
- It kills the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes).
- It has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and discomfort associated with many lesions.
- It eliminates fatty acids and oils in the skin.
Things You Should Know About Using Benzoyl Peroxide & Face Reality Acne Med:
Expect to be a bit dry!
Benzoyl peroxide can be extremely irritating and drying. During the initial weeks, you may experience some dryness, redness, itching, flaking, tightness, or mild peeling. This is temporary and will subside as your skin adapts. Those who can push through the initial dryness and light flaking will see the fastest results. However, if you are uncomfortably dry or have a dark skin tone, let us know. We can offer some helpful tips for getting through the dry phase.
Recommended use in the PM
We have found the best success with using benzoyl peroxide in the evening, as our bodies do their best healing while we sleep! There are times when Acne Med is used in the morning with a “timed method,” but we suggest connecting with one of our licensed Acne Coaches to decide if this is best for you.
Avoid eye area and lower neck
Do not use benzoyl peroxide on your neck or eye area as it can over-dry and irritate the delicate tissue in these areas.
No eye cream in the PM
Do not use eye cream or moisturizer around the eyes as the benzoyl peroxide will migrate through the cream and cause irritation and possible swelling.
Avoid using traditional moisturizers
Traditional moisturizers cannot be used under or over benzoyl peroxide. They interfere with efficacy and cause the Acne Med to travel into the eye area. Those that need extra hydration in the PM should use a water-based hydrating gel or serum under your Acne Med.
Our favorite nourishing gels and serums to use under Acne Med:
Avoid eye irritation
Allow benzoyl peroxide to dry completely before going to bed. If your eyelids get irritated, try changing your pillowcase more often. When wearing Acne Med at night, it will transfer to the pillowcase.
Smile lines
The area around the mouth tends to be the most sensitive area on the face and will be the first place you notice irritation and dryness. You can put a very thin layer of Rhonda Allison ProSalve on this area to protect it for a few days and then resume regular product use.
Working out? Remove benzoyl peroxide
Do not wear benzoyl peroxide when you expect to perspire. If you plan to exercise, engage in physical labor, or be outside in the sun, be sure to fully remove your Acne Med to avoid irritation.
Will bleach fabric
Benzoyl peroxide will bleach fabric, so we suggest using white towels and linens when using your Acne Med. We also recommend wearing an old t-shirt to bed if you are using Acne Med on the body. Additionally, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands following each application to avoid bleaching towels.
Allergic reaction
Allergies to benzoyl peroxide are rare but do occur occasionally. Dry skin does not constitute an allergic reaction. An allergy is characterized by itching, swelling, or burning associated with a rash similar to a mild case of poison ivy dermatitis. If you are experiencing unusual irritation or an allergic reaction occurs, stop using Acne Med and contact us immediately.
Diligence pays off
If you choose to skip a day or two or only spot treat, this break in your treatment gives a chance for acne to form. You will not achieve clear skin if you skip your home care treatment plan.
Use over the entire acne-prone area
While spot treating can be effective for those who are mildly blemish-prone, those with inflamed acne must use benzoyl peroxide serum over the entire acne-prone area, every day. This is what will help prevent future breakouts.
Be sure to apply SPF
Benzoyl peroxide increases sun sensitivity, so it is vital to add sun protection into your daily routine.
Have questions? Reach out to our team of seasoned estheticians via live chat or sign up for one of our Skincare Coaching Programs to discuss your specific needs. We’ll be here every step of the way!
Comments (38)
I use this product since three days but my eyes keeling me burning teasing and I can’t open my eyes.
What should I do please
Hi Claudette,
If it is making your eyes that swollen you may be allergic to BPO. You should wash it off with water and gentle soap and take a anti-histamine.
Hello, I’m on my 2nd month of the acne med regime. I am still getting some cystic acne. Should I up the dosage or incorporate a salicylic acid ?
Hi Paola!
It really depends on how your skin is doing, what other products you are using, and what strength of acne med. I recommend reaching out to our support, they can really dig in and help you :). You can email them here: hello@artofskincare.com
As soon as i applied benzyl peroxide 2.5% my face got severe reaction. And badly swollen.
I used the medication for one month and that resulted in glowing acne free skinbut after i finished one tube when i started new tube i developed allergy.
Now after many years i tried to use little again on only acne areas and again got severe reaction including itching ajd swolling around eyes and on face.
Hi Meriam, It sounds like you are allergic to benzoyl peroxide. I recommend this product for those that cannot tolerate BPO: https://www.artofskincare.com/michele-corley-purifying-oxygen-lotion/
Hi I started using 10% panoxyl a couple of days ago, my under eyes swelled up and are currently really dry I think that was my own mistake because I washed under my eyes with the face wash, my skin now has many small bumps that almost looks like eczema and my under eyes are really dry. What should I do?
I am sorry. It has been a while since you posted. I recommend using the LiveChat feature on my website for faster response time. When you get a spot of irritation or contact dermatitis I love Rhonda Allison Calming Skin Gel and ProSalve.
Hi
Some of the benzyol perozide meds touched my neck and i got a seripus burn how do i treat it ?? As for my face it hashas adapted to the meds only first month im still getting breakouts here tgere
Hi Busisiwe, the neck area can be quite sensitive to BPO. I would put some Aquaphor on the irritated area to help protect it while it heals. You can pick up Aquaphor from any drug store.
What are some of the hydrating serums or moisturizers that can used with BPO, that you recommend? I know Hydrabalance is safe, but what others? Thanks!
BPO can be used with pretty much any acne-safe gel moisturizer. You can click “Skin Care” and then “Gel Moisturizers” on our website menu to see all our options. I would just caution you to avoid anything with actives such as the Farm Hosue Fresh Retinol Gelee. A few of our favorites to use with BPO are: Michele Corley Ultimate Hydration Gel, Sorella Apothecary Main Squeeze Hydrating Serum, Dr. Esthé Hyal- Moisture Solution Ampoule, and Le Mieux Hyaluronic Serum.
I’ve been using this on my face during my acne program. It did indeed work wonders on my skin and made my acne go away; I’m not allergic to BPO but my issue is that my smile lines became more pronounced and noticeable. That’s my concern right now and I’m wondering if I should stop using it due to that or find another product that won’t cause the dryness in those areas?
Hi Dawn, we can definitely help you with that. Our approach will be different depending on if you are still breaking out or if you are mostly clear now. Reach out to us on live chat by clicking the question mark in the bottom corner. Our skincare specialists will be happy to help you out.
What sunscreen should I wear if I’m using this during the day? I’m currently using FaceReality daily spf lotion, but I have read that it messes with the acne med?
Hi Gloria. We actually do not recommend using BPO during the day. It used to be sometimes recommended as a spot treatment during the daytime, however, Face Reality Sulfer Spot is now recommended for that instead.
Hi, I’ve been using benzoyl peroxide for a little over a week and my skin has been getting dry patches that are very noticeable especially since I have a darker skin tone as well as my eyelids also getting dry and feeling rough. Is there anything that could help?
Hi Anne! I recommend doing a BPO sandwich! To do this, first apply a light, oil free moisturizer and allow to dry. At this time, also put on your eye cream. This will protect that area from the BPO. Once dry, then apply your bpo, keeping it far away from the eyes and lips.
I thought you should avoid busing any eye cream when using BPO? But your comment just told her to apply eye cream with it.
You can use an eye cream when using BPO! It can actually be very helpful for those that easily get irritation on the sensitive skin around the eyes.
How long it needs to be kept on face ?
Hi Barkha! BPO is best left on all night while you sleep, and washed off in the am!
Hi, I just started using Benzoyl peroxide lotion for my acne and I take it together with Doxycycline capsule. Do you think it would clear my acne just within a week using both Benzoyl peroxide lotion and Doxycycline capsule ?
Hi! One week isn’t quite long enough for changes to happen. Acne takes time to clear. The fastest I have seen acne clear is 6 weeks!
I’ve been using benzoyl peroxide 5% for 5 days now and my skin feels really dry and tight. I’m also noticing that it looks like I’ve got sunburn on my cheeks.
Hi Lisa, it sounds like it is a bit too strong for you. You can try layering a hydrating gel underneath, or start by using it every other night!
My daughter has been using BPO from facereality along with the face wash and other products. She has been using them since late July. She continues to have inflamed red acne all over her cheeks and along her skin. Her face continues to be oily much of the time and she has cystic acne and whiteheads continually. Any thoughts on if the BPO could be causing some of it?
Hi Ann! It doesn’t sound like an allergic reaction to BPO, but rather that her full routine isn’t quite right for her. I recommend reaching out to our live chat for advice!
Hi I’ve been using benzoyln peroxide gel at 5% for 3 weeks and it’s making a huge improvement to my acne. I’m concerned however about what potential issues long term use could bring and wonder what advice there is as to when I should stop using it and how to do this and keep clean acne free skin?
Thanks
Hi Louise! BPO is actually a very safe ingredient to use long term! Once you get clear, you can try using it less often (every other night) and you can also add a Mandelic acid serum into your routine to help with brightening scars. This will help keep you clear.
I’ve been using Acne Med 2.5 and starting to get some dryness/redness. Once Acne Med has dried for a while (like a hour or 2) can I then put on cran peptide without neutralizing AM?
Hi Steph! Are you layering hydrabalance under Acne Med? That is the first step to take if you are dry.
Hello
I’ve been using the face reality acne med 2.5% at night time. So far I like it, it seems to be helping my acne. My skin however is really dry as expected, but it also appears to be a bit irritated. My skin is red-ish/pink looks like slight sunburn. No swelling or burning. I use mandelic in the morning and the acne med at night. I always apply Hydrabalance before the acne med.
Any recommendations to calm the redness?
Hi Brittany! Are you using a moisturizer over the Mandelic in the morning?
Currently been using BPO for 2 months now and I still have very flaky skin. I was using another acne treatment for 3 months that also caused me flaky skin and patchy skin no matter how much time went by and all my dermatologist did was change me to BPO but I still have that same flaky skin. I had combo skin prior to starting treatments but they definitely made me dry and I don’t know if I am hydrating my skin well enough.
Are you applying a hydrating gel under the BPO. I recommend using this one: https://www.artofskincare.com/michele-corley-ultimate-hydration-gel-MC1014.html
What brand and strength of BPO are you using? If you reach out to our estheticians on livechat, we can help you.
Hello I just purchased acne med2.5 currently using mandelic 5% in the morning and wanted to incorporate BPO I’ve heard you can leave it on as a mask the first few days to get use to it before fully committing to the whole night. How will I go about my routine if I leave it on for a few minutes should I apply it directly after cleansing and then after the few minute wash off and then apply my toner Hydrabalance and moisturizer?
Hi Lisbeth, yes this is called the timed method. Cleanse you skin, apply your Acne Med, then rinse off after 10 minutes with your cleanser. Then follow with the rest of your routine. If you have no dryness or flakiness after a few days, you can begin using the Acne Med and leaving it on. For best results, I recommend layering your hydrabalance underneath the Acne Med once you begin leaving it on.