What it does
Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria involved in inflammatory acne and, unlike antibiotics, resistance does not develop against it. For red, painful spots it outperforms almost everything else available without a prescription.
It is drying, it can be irritating, and it genuinely bleaches fabric — pillowcases, towels and dark shirts. Use white towels and bedding while you are on it, which sounds like a joke and is not.
Higher strength is not better. 2.5% has been shown to work about as well as 10% with far less irritation. Short-contact therapy — applying it as a wash and rinsing after a couple of minutes — is a good compromise for drier skin.
In a routine
Layers well with
- Ceramides
- Niacinamide
- Moisturiser
Do not layer with
- Retinol
- Vitamin C
Same routine is fine for some pairs — same step is the problem. Split them morning and evening when in doubt.
