Benzoyl peroxide - Main ingredient in acne treatment

Benzoyl peroxide is a main ingredient in acne treatment. If you read the description of normal acne lotion/treatment sold on the counter, CVS or brand-name acne products, you will find that Benzoyl peroxide often contains in it. When I buy an acne treatment, I wonder what Benzoyl peroxide is and why it exists in the acne medication. And here is the answer for my questions.

Benzoyl peroxide is chemical in the organic peroxide family. It consists of two benzoyl groups (benzaldehyde with the H of CHO removed) joined by a peroxide group.

Trademarks for benzoyl peroxide include OXY, NeoBenz Micro, Basiron, Brevoxyl, Stioxyl, Panoxyl and Benzac. Benzoyl peroxide, like most peroxides, is a powerful bleaching agent . Contact with fabric (including clothing and bed linens) or hair can cause permanent color dampening almost immediately. At high concentrations, benzoyl peroxide is highly flammable and explosive and should be handled with care. In the United States, the typical concentration for benzoyl peroxide is 2.5% to 10% for both prescription and over the counter use.

Uses
Benzoyl peroxide is effective in the treatment of most forms of acne. It is typically placed over the affected areas in gel or cream form, in concentrations of 2.5% increasing through the usually effective 5% to up to 10%. Research suggests that 5 and 10% concentrations are not significantly more effective than 2.5% and 2.5% is usually better tolerated. It commonly causes initial dryness and sometimes irritation, although skin tolerance usually occurs after a week or so. A small percentage of people are much more sensitive to it and liable to suffer burning, itching, peeling and possibly swelling. It is sensible to apply the lowest concentration and build up as appropriate. Once tolerance is achieved, increasing the quantity or concentration a second time and gaining tolerance at a higher level usually gives better subsequent acne clearance. Benzoyl peroxide works as a peeling agent, increasing skin turnover and clearing pores, thus reducing the bacterial count there as well as directly as an antibacterial.

When applied to skin benzoyl peroxide has been shown to induce cancer, but only when used at 100% concentrations; it has not been shown to do this at the far lower concentrations used for treating acne, and at lower concentrations benzoyl peroxide has been found not to be mutagenic or carcinogenic.

Benzoyl peroxide removes the top layer of skin, which also decreases the sun protective effect (roughly SPF 3). This can cause sunburn and premature aging if sun protection is not worn . If sun protection is used, benzoyl peroxide has a similar effects to glycolic acid peels which are so-called anti-aging treatments.

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