Skin Care

Hey everybody,

I’m pretty sure if you suffer from acne you have at some point in time tried skin products containing benzoyl peroxide. You will find that most of the over the counter acne products contains some percentage of benzoyl peroxide.

Unfortunately many people overlook Benzoyl peroxide products in favour of stronger prescribed medication simply because they do not believe it to be as effective. However in my experience benzoyl peroxide can be extremely effective in clearing up acne in the majority of cases, except perhaps for severe acne or cysts.

But what concentration of benzoyl peroxide is both effective and safe for my skin?

In my personal opinion I would start with products containing 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. I find that this concentration is easily as effective as the 5 or 10% concentrations without that horrible dryness and irritation you may get with the higher concentrations. I have extremely sensitive skin which would be so itchy and irritated using the 5 or 10% concentrations.
How does benzoyl peroxide work?

Benzoyl peroxide works by introducing oxygen into the pores, and as you may have read here, the acne bacteria cannot survive in an aerobic (oxygen rich) environment. Another reason why benzoyl peroxide is effective is that it can help rid follicles of excess dead skin cells which is a major factor in the formation of acne.

The problem people have with benzoyl peroxide (and many other treatments) is that they don’t stick with the treatment long enough, or they simply stop using it when the the acne appears to be improving. This can then cause the acne bacteria to begin multiplying again, and you are back at square one.

Should I use a wash containing Benzoyl Peroxide?

It really depends on your skin type. Personally I have dry, sensitive skin which tightens up if I use any acne face-wash or soap, and so can only use mild cleansers or washes. Regardless of your skin type I would recommend using a mild face-wash, after which you can apply your benzoyl peroxide treatment.

I never use the likes of Clearasil or Neutragena as my skin resembles sandpaper after washing. I also had a bad reaction to a supposedly “mild” Neutragena face-wash, which burnt the skin around my eyes. That was almost eight years ago, and I still have the marks under my eyes.

How should I apply Benzoyl Peroxide?

It is important to introduce benzoyl peroxide to your skin in small increments. Start with a small amount (roughly pea-sized amount) of the 2.5% concentration and apply ALL over the face.

People often dab the gel onto individual pimples which may dry out the spot, but it won’t prevent new ones from forming. We want to eliminate and prevent new acne from forming, not simply treat existing acne.

Take particular care not to apply the benzoyl peroxide too vigorously, as excessive irritation can cause breakouts. Also be careful not to apply near the eyes as the skin around the eye is particularly delicate.

It is important to cleanse your face gently and allow to fully dry before applying a thin layer of benzoyl peroxide. I find it best to apply the treatment in the morning and then just before bed, but remember to apply to ALL acne prone areas, not just individual spots.

You may notice initial redness which can take a couple of weeks to clear, but your skin will soon acclimatise to the treatment. After two or three weeks you can double the amount of benzoyl peroxide and you shouldn’t notice any irritation.
Do I need to moisturize?

I believe you should always moisturize after applying benzoyl peroxide as it can cause dry skin, especially when using for the first time. Just remember that it has to be a non-comedogenic moisturizer and does not contain lanolin, petroleum, butyl stearate or sodium laural sulphate.

Moisturizing prevents over-drying of the skin, which can in turn lead the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum as it tries to keep the skin moisturized, thus leading to acne. I have always had dry skin and suffered with acne. It’s not just people with oily skin that are prone to acne.

In the past I used a product called Effaclar from La Roche Possay but it only came in a fairly small bottle and cost nearly €14 (over $18), and it didn’t even last a month.
What are my next steps?

There is a company which I highly recommend and it produces great products which I have used for the last six months, during which time my skin has seen a dramatic improvement.

It is extremely important to have a good regime using good products when it comes to treating acne. Acne.org produces everything you need to beat your acne providing the follow these simple guidelines.

* Gently wet your face with warm water, then lather the Acne.Org wash in your hands. Gently cleanse your face for no more than 10 seconds. Rinse and gently pat dry.

* Wait roughly 10 minutes and then apply a thin layer of the Acne.Org benzoyl peroxide to all affected areas. Try not to rub it in too much, just let your hands glide over your face.

* After 10 to 15 minutes apply a good sized amount of the Acne.Org moisturizer and again gently apply to the skin. If you want you can add some jojoba oil (no more than 2 or 3 drops in the morning). Their Jojoba Oil is excellent and lasts so long, and has loads of other uses.

That’s it really. It can seem a rather fussy regime to begin with but once you get the hang of it it seems like second nature. Of course seeing results also helps you stay motivated!

Why should I use Acne.Org products?

You can be sure they won’t cause you breakouts because they are designed specifically for people with acne. The cleanser is mild and non-drying and lasts quite a while, and it works out a lot cheaper than any decent cleanser you could buy at a store.

The 2.5% benzoyl peroxide is really an excellent product. I really cannot praise it enough. the great thing about the Acne.Org treatment is that it comes in the form of a gel, not a cream.

I find the gel to be so much better than cream for two reasons. Firstly, it applies and absorbs so much easier than cream based benzoyl peroxide so you don’t have to spend half the day rubbing it in. And secondly, when it drys it is completely invisible. Benzoyl peroxide creams have a nasty habit of leaving white marks on your face after it dries. Not a good look

Then there is the moisturizer, again a great product which does exactly what it is supposed to do, absorb well and keep your skin moisturized. You don’t have to spend countless hours searching for a moisturizer that won’t cause breakouts.

I honestly do feel that this company produces some of the best acne products out there. When I first tried their products I bought the Acne.org Starter Kit which includes an 8oz cleanser, 8oz of benzoyl peroxide and 8oz of the moisturizer.

They all come with pump caps and offer seriously good value. I also bought the 8oz bottle of Acne.org 8 oz. Organic Jojoba Oil which is great for acne prone skin.A lot of people are scared of using jojoba oil for acne for acne but it is really effective at controlling oil levels.

The Starter Kit lasted me around 2 months and I STILL have my original bottle of Jojoba oil! The Acne.org Big Kit is even better value and can last for up to fours months when used according to the regime.

I believe that by using these products and following the regime you will see a huge improvement in the condition of your acne.

And whatever you do, don’t give up! I know how frustrating it is, but if you stick to a good regime you will find that the Acne.Org benzoyl peroxide is excellent for treating acne, but you must be disciplined. Breakouts and acne flareups are common in the early stages of nearly all acne treaments so don’t lose heart.

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