Benzoyl Peroxide
Liebig was the first scientist who prepared an organic peroxide. He gave this product the scientific name of Benzoyl Peroxide. It was the year 1858 when this versatile product came into the market. It proved to be a revolutionary medication addressing a variety of skin issues. The abbreviation of benzoyl peroxide is BzO2. It generally goes by with BPO. However, Benzoyl Peroxide cream in Pakistan is manufactured to address general skin issues like acne, mild psoriasis, and rashes. It is an over-the-counter medication. The texture of benzoyl peroxide is granular. It has an odor of Benzaldehyde ⁽¹⁾. It totally clears acne breakouts & helps prevent forming of acne blemishes. It is also beneficial for shedding dead cells that can lead to clogged pores.
Important Things to Know about Benzoyl Peroxide
How to Use Benzoyl Peroxide?
For treating acne lacerations, Benzoyl Peroxide cleanser is a go-to product. Years of research say that benzoyl Peroxide alone is not very effective. However, it is effective when mixed with other ingredients like salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, retinol, and ceramides. Mixing Benzoyl Peroxide with these ingredients can help improve product absorption and effectiveness. Its application is topical.
Therefore, applying it on the skin’s surface can reduce acne and skin-related issues. The skin has to build up to tolerate its complexity. Dermatologists always advise using a lower concentration of 2.5 %. When the skin starts tolerating, a higher concentration formula can be used. First, wash the face with cleanser and pat the face dry. Then apply a thin layer of Benzoyl Peroxide cream. It can be used once or twice daily, depending on the acne condition.
Who Can Use Benzoyl Peroxide?
Patients having mild to severe acne can use Benzoyl Peroxide. It is an OTC medicament that can be applied topically alone or can be mixed with antibiotics to maximize absorption. Furthermore, it is not workable for the baby’s skin. It has a strong chemical, benthamasone, that can irritate the soft skin of babies.
Difference Between Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid:
Benzoyl Peroxide has a short formula. Therefore, it’s advisable to use it wisely. On the other hand, Salicylic acid is a much milder formula and does not cause skin irritation. Benzoyl Peroxide is an emergency spot medicament. It shows results faster than salicylic acid. Salicylic acid can take up to a week to show results, depending on the product’s severity.
The best time to use Benzoyl Peroxide is at nighttime as daytime sweating can transfer the product to clothes. It can leave stains on it. So, Salicylic acid is advisable to use in the daytime as it is not much reactive. Excessive application of Benzoyl Peroxide can cause redness, irritation, rashes, etc. Salicylic acid does not aggravate skin issues due to its mild nature.
Can We Use Sunscreen While Using Benzoyl Peroxide?
Strong sunlight is not good when using Benzoyl peroxide. So, avoid sun exposure. Sunscreens having SPF 30 can be used ⁽²⁾. Oil-free sunscreens are best while using benzoyl peroxide. Check out the sunscreen price in Pakistan.
What Other Ingredients Can You Use With Benzoyl Peroxide?
The combination of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid works excellently. However, Adapalene, Sulphur, Clindamycin, Erythromycin, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacin-Amides, Ceramides, and Tretinoin are the combination partner of Benzoyl Peroxide as well.