If you’ve been on a quest to rid yourself of acne, the likelihood is that you’ve been told to try benzoyl peroxide facial cleanser. As the leading product available in this sphere, benzoyl peroxide (BP) is an extremely effective option, however its use does come with a few caveats.
With this in mind, in this article, we’ll be breakding down exactly what you need to know when using this kind of acne-busting option.
What’s inside benzoyl peroxide facial cleanser?
Essentially, acne cleansers that contain BP are key for fighting acne due to their antibacterial properties. Ideal for mild to moderate acne, facial cleansers like these eliminate the factors that lead to breakouts, pervading the skin deep beneath.
It works by:
- Killing the bacteria that leads to acne
- Elimitating excess sebum on the skin’s surface
- Ridding the skin of dirt and dead skin
Available over the counter or online without prescription BP cleansers usually come in 3 different strengths; 2.5%, 4% and 10%. Depending on your skin type and acne severity, one of the three will suit you best, ridding you of your acne without irritation.
How Can I Tell Which Is The Right Strength?
If you’ve never used benzoyl peroxide facial cleanser, you shouldn’t just be picking a strength and jumping in with both feet. Instead, you should be starting at the bottom – on a 2.5% product – and trying that one daily for the first few days. Then, if you get no kind of reaction, but aren’t getting the best results, it might be time to move up to a 4%.
You’ll know when you get to your sweet spot, as you’ll just begin to get to the edge of irritation without going fully over the line. You do have to be careful at the beginning, just in case. That’s why they recommend carrying out a patch test on a small area beforehand.
Is it ok to use more than one BP product at the same time?
Actually, no it’s not. Manufacturers of BP washes clearly state that no other similar product should be used at the same time. There are gels, creams and foaming washes on the market, so it’s important that you read the label and not use something else with BP in it.
If you do want to use a multi-pronged attack on your acne, why not pair up with some hyaluronic acid or salicylic products instead? Although you shouldn’t mix it with vitamin A and retinol products.
Finding the Right Benzoyl Peroxide Facial Cleanser For You
Achieving the clear complexion you crave can just come down to doing using BP products properly.
Should you be using something that’s too strong or too weak, you’ll either get irritation or no effect whatsoever, so it’s about finding your level.
What we’re aiming to avoid by creating blogs like this one is for people to give up their dream of great-looking acne-free skin. It can seem a long way away to begin with, but you can rest assured that by using it every day at a level that suits you, you will get results.
Sure, you might be allergic, but a quick patch test will determine whether you are. After that, it’s simply a matter of not overdoing things.