Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide, The Most Important Ingredients in Acne Products
By Antin. When you are searching for over the counter acne treatment, you will see that almost all of those products have benzoyl peroxide in their ingredient list. Benzoyl peroxide is organic peroxide that is commonly used to treat acne. It is also used for improving flour and for the bleaching of hair and teeth. Once Benzoyl peroxide makes contact with the skin, it reacts to form benzoic acid and acts as an oxidising agent.
Benzoyl peroxide works as a peeling agent, increasing skin turnover and clearing pores, reducing the bacteria that causes breakouts. In fact, it dries out the sebum which is the bacteria that forms at the base of the hair follicle. Additionaly, Benzoyl Peroxide can also help rid of excess dead skin thus making sure that our pores are not blocked. In other words, this compound is really effective in preventing pimple and acne breakouts.
It is important to be aware of these side effects before use. It has been proved, that benzoyl peroxide can create skin irritation in sensitive skin or sunburnt skin. Other side effects of benzoyl peroxide on skin are blistering, crusting, itching, severe redness, as well as skin rash. If this is your first time to use acne products, then you might want to start out mild. Find an acne product with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide in strength and always test a small amount before regular use. Once your skin adapts to this new compound you may try out stronger solutions later. Before applying acne products with benzoyl peroxide, clean your face and dry it. Then apply the compound with an amount the size of a quarter to all affected areas of the skin.
