Benzoyl Peroxide

Considered the most effective OTC topical antibacterial treatment for acne

Penetrates the hair follicle to fight acne bacteria at the source

Does not disrupt skin’s microbiome

Solutions range in strength from 2.5% to 10%

Benzoyl peroxide is widely considered the most effective over-the-counter choice for a topical antibacterial agent in the treatment of acne.

The amount of research (well over five decades) demonstrating the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide is exhaustive and conclusive. Among benzoyl peroxide’s attributes is its ability to penetrate the hair follicle to reach the bacteria that cause the problem, and then kill them—with a low risk of sensitivity. It also doesn’t pose the problem of bacterial resistance that some prescription topical antibacterials (antibiotics) do.

You might think the use of benzoyl peroxide would disrupt skin’s microbiome, the delicate balance of microorganisms that affect how skin looks and feels. Research has shown that this is not the case, and in fact it can have a balancing effect, since it regulates the proliferation of P. acnes bacteria.

Benzoyl peroxide treatments range in strength from 2.5% to 10%. It is best to start with lower concentrations because a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide product is much less irritating than a 5% or 10% concentration, and it can be just as effective. Because of its low systemic absorption, it is considered generally safe for use by people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It is metabolized within the skin to benzoic acid and any residual amount that is absorbed into the body is quickly excreted via urine. Benzoyl peroxide is considered a weak allergen and tends to only cause irritation if applied too frequently or to skin whose barrier is impaired.

See: Benzoic Acid