What Kind Of Skin Is Benzoyl Peroxide Good For
Like many acne treatments, benzoyl peroxide “is best for people with oily, acneic, blemish-prone skin, as well as those with body acne on the chest, back, shoulders or buttocks,” explains Dr. Choi Kim. Benzoyl peroxide is good for all types of acne, including cysts, blackheads and whiteheads, but it’s particularly great at treating inflammatory cystic acne.
However, BP, as it’s often called, is drying, so it’s not ideal for those with dry or particularly sensitive skin, while those with rosacea or eczema should also avoid it. And if you’re pregnant, you’ll want to talk to your doctor before using any products with benzoyl peroxide.
The Best Treatments For Teen Acne According To Dermatologists
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If you made it through your teens without a breakout, consider yourself something of a unicorn. Acne, a skin disorder that primarily affects the face, shoulders, chest and back, plagues an estimated 80 percent of people between ages 11 and 30 at some point, according to The National Institutes for Health.
Fueled by fluctuating hormones that increase oil production , breakouts happen when that oil combines with dead skin cells, trapping bacteria, causing inflammation and clogging pores, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
To keep the skin from getting dry, the skin makes oil in little wells called sebaceous glands that are found in the deeper layers of the skin. Whiteheads or blackheads are clogged sebaceous glands. Blackheads are not caused by dirt blocking the pores, but rather by oxidation . People with acne have glands that make more oil and are more easily plugged, causing the glands to swell, explains Adnan Mir, MD, Committee Chair for the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, Assistant Professor at New York Medical College, and dermatopathologist at Dermpath Diagnostics in Port Chester, New York.
Daily Deep Cleanser By Differin
This product is perceived to be the best drugstore option available in the market. With a 5 percent micronized benzoyl peroxide, Daily Deep Cleanser by Differin absorbs into your pores deeply while it also fights with skin bacteria. Simultaneously, it also is a decent moisturizer to help balance your skin and get rid of excessive dryness. Users across the globe have said that it made their skin clearer and the price is not quite heavy on the pocket as well.
Try using this formula by Differin for around a week, and you will witness that your skin doesnt pop up with any new breakouts.
This product is available for $9.97.
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Side Effects Of Using Benzoyl Peroxide On The Skin
While considered safe for most people, benzoyl peroxide can cause side effects. This is especially the case when you first start using the product.
It may be helpful to use it once a day, and then build up the frequency in application over time if your skin can tolerate it. You can also minimize side effects by starting with a lower concentration.
Talk to a dermatologist about the following side effects and precautions of using benzoyl peroxide for acne.
What Are Some Good Acne Products
Some people use natural remedies such as tea tree oil or alpha hydroxy acids to treat acne.
Clay mask for acneHow do you make a homemade acne mask? Baking Soda and Water This is probably the easiest and most effective homemade acne mask. Make a paste by adding baking soda to the water until it becomes a fine paste and apply it to your freshly cleansed face. When the mask is dry, rinse it off with lukewarm water.What are the best acne masks?For an affordable yet effective acne mask, they recommend AcneFrees Kao
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Mixing Benzoyl Peroxide With Other Active Ingredients
Typically, benzoyl peroxide should not be mixed with any other active ingredients. “It can lessen the effectiveness of some actives like vitamin C and retinol, so plan to use products with those actives at different times of the day or on different days,” says Dr. Hartman.
You should also make sure to only use one product containing benzoyl peroxide at a time. “So if you use a spot treatment with it, don’t use a face wash with it as well,” he says.
Best Skin Care Products With Benzoyl Peroxide For Acne
We all know the cult-favorite brand CeraVe, and theyve struck gold once again with this Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser.
Along with 4% benzoyl peroxide to treat existing acne and prevent new acne from forming, this cleanser also contains ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to help maintain the skin barrier and mitigate any drying or flaking that might occur.
Its fragrance free, non-stripping, and ideal for even the most sensitive types that want to give benzoyl peroxide a go. You cant get much gentler than this in a face wash with benzoyl peroxide.
Bonus: It can also work as a mask! Apply to damp skin and leave on for 5 minutes then rinse!
Another great option for a benzoyl peroxide cleanser is Differins Daily Deep Cleanserformulated with 5% benzoyl peroxide. This is the same brand that makes the famous Differin Adapalene Retinoid Gel- one of the most recommended topical acne retinol treatments ever- so you know this cleanser was crafted with the same intention behind it. Dispense a small dollop, massage in for 20-30 seconds, expect improvement.
Clean and Clear gets a bad rap but their persa-gel 10benzoyl peroxide spot treatment is a genuine all-star. It has the maximum strength of benzoyl peroxide available in a product. And it kills erupting cysts in a flash.
Its micronized 5.5% benzoyl peroxide reduces the size and severity of breakouts. It also includes LHA to gradually smooth skin texture and reduce pigmentation left by breakouts over time.
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Benzoyl Peroxide For Cystic Acne
Cystic acne is considered the most serious form of acne, which also makes it the most difficult to treat.
Its characterized by hard bumps below the surface of your skin. While these pimples may have pus deep inside them, its difficult to identify any prominent heads.
P. acnes bacteria is one contributor to cystic acne, which benzoyl peroxide may help treat in combination with prescription medications.
If you have this type of acne, consult a dermatologist for your best treatment options.
How Often Should You Use Differin Gel
Differin Gel can be very irritating. For best results, start using it every 2-3 days. To reduce the skin irritation caused by Differin, one should use a very mild acne cleanser. After washing the face, you would need to apply a thin layer of Differin Gel to clean, dry skin and combine it with a good hydrating oil-free moisturizer. According to the producer’s instructions, Differin Gel should never be used more than once a day. Applying Differin more than once a day is not expected to provide faster or better results.
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The Results: Clearer Skin And Less Blackheads
I used the cleanser once a day for about a week, and during that time I didnt experience any new breakouts, and the ones I already had seemed to clear up quicker than usual. But my favorite thing about the cleanser is the way it made those hard-to-remove blackheads disappear. After using many other pore-clearingand expensiveproducts, the Differin Daily Deep Cleanser was the one that finally removed the clogged pores on my cheeks and some of the perennial dots on my nose.
After a week of use, my skin feels slightly drier than usual but not to a degree that makes it flaky or uncomfortable. The cleanser can be used up to three times daily and some skin types may be able to work up to this, but my recommendation is to take it slow and watch how your skin reacts first.
Differin Daily Deep Cleanser has a 5% benzoyl peroxide concentration, which, according to the brand, has the effectiveness of a 10% formulation so users can get the benefits without irritation.
While Id written off benzoyl peroxide long agoand was notably skeptical that it would actually work for meI now plan to incorporate the Differin Daily Deep Cleanser into my routine and start to use it whenever my skin needs a boost of acne-fighting ingredients.
What Is The Best Product To Remove Blackheads
Not all facial cleansers contain the right ingredients to remove blackheads. Look for facial cleansers for acne-prone skin that contain ingredients such as salicylic acid, an oil-soluble beta-hydroxy acid that can the skin and remove bacteria, dirt and grease that build up. 3 Do blackheads disappear naturally?
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Differin Daily Deep Acne Face Wash With 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Gentle Skin Care For Acne Prone Sensitive Skin 4 Oz
- Contains 5% benzoyl peroxide, which is as effective as 10% benzoyl peroxide, but with less irritation and dryness
- Dual-action, micronized formula penetrates deep into skin to absorb excess oil, while releasing a gentle moisturizer that won’t clog pores
- Perfect for those seeking a deep, powerful cleanse that won’t strip their skin
- Dermatologist developed formula, great for daily use
What Are The Common Side Effects Of Differin
Skin redness, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning are common when using Differin gel. These side effects start in the first four weeks of treatment and may decrease with continuous use. In some cases, a severe irritation real allergy to Differin requires discontinuation of the treatment. Differin should not be applied to skin cuts, abrasions, and sunburned skin.
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Differin Daily Deep Cleanser
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Item No. 0371745
MAKE YOUR CLEAN ROUTINE AHH-MAZING. Whatever your skin type including sensitive skin Differin Gentle Cleanser is made for it. Originally formulated by dermatologists, its tender enough that it wont dry you out or strip your skin of its natural oils or emollients, but tough enough to remove dirt, makeup and other impurities.
- Conditions skin while it cleanses
- Contains no soaps, fragrances, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, adapalene or other acne-fighting ingredient
- Can be used with or without water
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Clear Pore Cleanser/mask By Neutrogena
This product is the best two-in-one formula for your skin worries. You can either apply it as a cleanser or a mask, it totally depends on your preference. If you have very sensitive skin or you are wanting to save your skin from acne bumps, then we will suggest you use it as a cleanser. Or else, just apply it on for 5 min like a mask. Also, you will fall in love with its cooling and refreshing sensation. The product entails 3.5 percent of benzoyl peroxide and you can apply it to your face without any worries.
This Neutrogena formula is tested by dermatologists and it spreads on your pores effectively to control oil and shine while removing any impurities and blackheads.
Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask by Neutrogena is for $9.99.
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Curing Your Acne With Over The Counter Products
If you walk through any drug store you will find a wide variety of topical acne medications available without a prescription. They all declare a similar message about clear skin. If you examine the ingredients closely you will find that they all contain varying degrees of different medications and this can be very confusing. In todays post Im going to cover the common acne medications that are available like Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide over the counter and provide some specific recommendations about what products work best for which types of acne.
Before we jump into this, I want to take a minute to refresh the topics that I have already covered in this blog series. We started with the most important step making the diagnosis. There are four types of acne and knowing the type of acne that you have will be key in determining the best treatment options. Next up was the best face wash for acne prone skin. Keeping your skin clean is important and in this post we covered the types of cleansers available as well as how to properly clean your face. The third post was all about oily skin the cause of oil and what you can do to help control it. If you are new here, enter your email address below and Ill send the prior posts to you.
Knowing the type of acne you have will help determine what products will best treat that acne. A quick review of the four types of acne: 1) comedonal acne 2) inflammatory acne 3) combination acne and 4) hormonal acne.
The ingredients
Differin’s Daily Cleanser Cleared My Acne Without Stripping My Skin
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Can cause irritation
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Must be followed by moisturizer
Differin’s Daily Deep Cleanser can help clear acne-prone skineven if its sensitivewithout drying skin or costing too much.
We purchased Differin’s Daily Deep Cleanser so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.
Benzoyl peroxide is a well-known ingredient to anyone whos tried product after product to clear acne as a teenager . More than 10 years later, Ive mostly abandoned the ingredientit gives me flashbacks to high school and bleached pillowcases, three-step skincare routines, and too oily skin.
But because benzoyl peroxide still reigns as a top acne-fighting ingredientand the breakouts on my jawline persistI was excited to see if Id written off the powerhouse ingredient too early. Enter, Differin’s Daily Deep Cleanser. It’s an acne-clearing face wash formulated with BP that’s designed for sensitive skin. My curiosity was peaked. Could this cleanser actually clear my breakouts without wreaking havoc on my skin? Read on to discover my results.
Price: Around $14
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Similar Products: Lots To Choose From
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser : This cleanser generally is priced between $10 and $15 depending on where you buy it from. It has a slightly bigger bottle than the Differin cleanser, so youll get more for your money with this CeraVe cleanser. The ingredients list on this cleanser is longer than Differin’s, too. On top of the 4% benzoyl peroxide, it also has ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to keep skin hydrated.
Glytone Acne BPO Clearing Cleanser : The Glytone wash is a splurge at $38, but the bottle is larger and the addition of shea butter means it wont dry skin as much as other options. It uses 4.5% encapsulated benzoyl peroxide to treat the skin.
Dont discount the basicness of Differin’s Daily Deep Cleansertheres a reason benzoyl peroxide continues to be a go-to acne-fighting ingredient. This formulation is not only affordable but is powerful enough to clear skin without drying it out.
- Product Name Daily Deep Cleanser
- Product Brand Differin
How To Incorporate Benzoyl Peroxide Into Your Skincare Routine
As with all active ingredients, slowly introduce benzoyl peroxide into your routine by using it once a week to make sure your skin has time to build tolerance. Once you’ve used it a few times, you can begin to use it more often.
It will be easiest to incorporate benzoyl peroxide into your routine with a face wash or spot treatment. “If you’re using it in a face wash, make sure the skin is clear of any makeup before washing your face, and make sure to mix the wash with a bit of water to work up a lather, gently rubbing it in upwards motions on the face,” says Dr. Hartman. He recommends Differin Daily Deep Cleanser as it treats active acne while also preventing future acne from popping up, and it doesn’t leave the skin feeling stripped or dry. Dr. Kunin likes PanOxyl Maximum Strength Antimicrobial Acne Foaming Wash as it’s a medicated cleanser that’s balanced with humectants and skin protectants to help minimize potential skin irritation.
“To use benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment, apply it after cleansing to active acne around the face and allow it to dry before applying a moisturizer,” says Dr. Hartman. He and Dr. Kunin say that La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment is amongst their favorite. “It’s not only easy to use, but combines benzoyl peroxides with LHA to unclog pores, kill acne bacteria, and clear skin,” says Dr. Hartman.
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How To Use Benzoyl Peroxide To Treat Acne Effectively According To Derms
If you’re always dealing with pesky breakouts or acne, then you should familiarize yourself with one of the best over-the-counter ingredients to treat it: benzoyl peroxide. The common ingredient is known for its ability to help clear and prevent acne. But despite the ingredient’s impressive results in treating breakouts, it may also cause irritation, dryness, or redness for some.
Benzoyl peroxide is found in many acne-fighting skincare products, but many of us aren’t sure how to use it properly. Here, two board-certified dermatologists share everything you need to know about benzoyl peroxide, including its benefits, side effects, and ways to incorporate it into your skincare routine.
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How To Use Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide comes in the form of many acne treatment products. Its important to select the right one for your skin care concern as well as preference.
For example, you may prefer to use a wash formulated specifically for your body rather than your face. Or you might decide to choose a gel.
Another key is to choose the appropriate concentration. The concentration that you choose to use may depend on your skin.
Some people can tolerate products with a high percentage of benzoyl peroxide on their skin. Others may prefer a lower percentage.
What concentration to use also depends on where you apply the benzoyl peroxide.
The face is rather sensitive, so many choose to use a lower concentration in that area, while the chest and back are more resilient and can tolerate a higher concentration.
Benzoyl peroxide may be found in the following acne treatment products:
- acne creams and lotions: typically applied once or twice a day on the entire area of skin as both a treatment and preventive measure
- face washes and foams: used once or twice a day to help prevent acne and treat existing lesions
- acne body washes and soaps: ideal if you have frequent breakouts on the chest, back, and other areas of the body
- gels: tend to come in the form of spot treatments with higher concentrations and are typically applied only to the affected area
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