What Is Benzoyl Peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide, a topical medication, seems to come in many forms. Patients may get gels or cleansers over-the-counter. They seem to contain up to ten percent benzoyl peroxide. However, the most common appears to be five percent. Some versions of this medication may require a prescription. They may be stronger or combined with other medications, such as antibiotics and retinoids. Patients should follow the directions that their doctor gives. They may want to report persistent or rare side effects.

One prescription seems to be a clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide topical gel. This should work as a treatment for acne. However, patients may want to try over-the-counter acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide first. Of course, this should come after reviewing how this medication works. This understanding seems to help patients choose the best benzoyl peroxide product.

How It Should Work

Benzoyl peroxide may destroy bacteria. Specifically, it appears to kill Cutibacterium acnes. Some information indicates that this bacteria may be a major acne trigger. The skin seems to absorb this medication. It should convert it into benzoic acid. The patient's body may absorb five percent of this, and their kidneys seem to get rid of it through their urine. Cysteine appears to absorb the remaining ninety-five percent. The result should be the oxidization of bacteria proteins. Benzoyl peroxide may lower levels of P. acnes, lipids, and free fatty acids, which may help acne patients. It may also stimulate granulation tissue growth and the epithelium's ingrowth.

Reveal the potential uses for this ingredient now.

Potential Uses

Benzoyl peroxide appears to help treat acne. Most patients seem to find it in over-the-counter acne products, including cleansers and spot treatments. However, individuals with severe acne may need something stronger. Thus, they may use prescription-strength products with benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient may be found alongside antibiotics and retinoids in prescriptions for acne. Products with this ingredient may help clear breakouts. They seem to help reduce the frequency and severity of future breakouts as well. However, it may take some patients to notice benefits. Research suggests it could take up to ten weeks of consistent benzoyl peroxide use.

This medication seems to have several 'off-label' uses. Examples may include rosacea, folliculitis, perforating disease, pitted keratolysis, and some ulcers. If doctors recommend it for 'off-label' use, patients may want to ask why. Additionally, all patients may wish to consider reviewing the risks of this medication with their doctor first.

Keep reading to uncover the possible side effects next.

Possible Side Effects

It seems that benzoyl peroxide has several possible side effects. Patients may notice many skin changes, such as flaking, peeling, dryness, and redness. These side effects may be the most severe in the first few weeks of using a product with benzoyl peroxide. Unfortunately, this ingredient appears to be more drying than other acne medications. It seems as if the higher the percentage, the more dryness patients may experience. Rough skin patches may be another side effect.

Some patients may deal with immediate side effects, such as itching, redness, and burning. However, these effects should go away. Severe or persistent issues may merit a doctor's call. An allergic reaction to this ingredient seems to be possible. Thankfully, it may be rare. Of course, patients may need emergency help for signs like tongue swelling, hives, and breathing problems.

Get information on the precautions for this medication next.

Precautions

As mentioned, this medication may trigger significant skin problems. Thus, individuals may wish to think about starting this medication slowly. This may help them lower the severity of side effects. It seems that the recommendation is starting with using products every other day for up to two weeks. Patients appear to benefit from applying moisturizer more often as well. Some may want to apply it before this medication. This is often considered buffering. After a few weeks, patients may be able to increase their use of benzoyl peroxide. However, should side effects develop, this timeline may change.

This medication appears to trigger sun sensitivity. Thus, patients may want to wear sunscreen every day and reapply as necessary. In addition, it may stain clothing. This may mean putting on clothes before application and waiting extra time to ensure that the medication has dried fully. Patients should wash their hands with soap and water after applying this medication as well.

Continue reading to reveal the potential medication interactions next.

Potential Medication Interactions

Benzoyl peroxide seems to have a few potential medication interactions. Thus, individuals may want to discuss their current medications with a doctor first. They should consider including skincare products in this discussion for safety. It appears that topical medications trigger the most interactions with benzoyl peroxide. Examples may include tretinoin, dapsone, and trifarotene. Adapalene and isotretinoin may cause two others.

The interactions may cause side effects to worsen. They may also result in additional side effects, like skin color changes. Sometimes, patients can use medications at different times to avoid these interactions. Adjusted doses and alternative prescriptions may help as well.