But it can be a pain to use. It makes your skin super dry and flaky. It can burn. And that’s not even mentioning all the ruined towels, washcloths, and clothes thanks to its remarkable bleaching capabilities.
The end results are often worth the aggravation, though. So if you stick with it clearer skin can be in your future. These tips for using benzoyl peroxide will make sticking with this acne treatment easier and more effective for you, too.
The best way to counteract this is to use a noncomedogenic moisturizer every day. If you’re just beginning with your benzoyl peroxide treatment, start using moisturizer now, even before you notice any uncomfortable dryness. You may be able to stave off the worst of it.
If you’ve already succumbed to benzoyl peroxide-induced dryness and flakiness, slather on moisturizer as often as necessary. Definitely use it immediately after cleansing, just before applying your benzoyl peroxide treatment, and right before bed.
Choosing a moisturizer that is oil-free and noncomedogenic will help prevent new blocked pores, and one that is fragrance-free and made for sensitive skin will be more soothing to already irritated skin.
There are things you can do to prevent benzoyl peroxide from staining. Thoroughly rinse off benzoyl peroxide cleansers. Let benzoyl peroxide creams and lotions dry completely before dressing, or lying on your pillow at night. And always wash your hands well after using any benzoyl peroxide treatment.
If you have dark hair, you’ll also want to keep benzoyl peroxide away from your hairline. Regular exposure can bleach your hair too.
Choose a sunscreen that’s oil-free with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 every day. You’ll protect yourself from skin cancer and premature aging. Today’s sunscreens don’t have much in common with the thick, smelly lotions of the past. Plenty of light, nongreasy sunscreens are available.
Don’t like the thought of applying a separate sunscreen? Many moisturizers have SPF too. You can moisturize and get your sun protection in just one step.
It is a slow worker, though, so don’t expect much in the way of clearing for a few months (three or four is pretty typical). If you run into any problems, or you have any questions or concerns, a call to a dermatologist is the next step.
