Though mostly an effect of teenage hormonal changes, acne can resurface at any age on any skin type even in later years. External factors (like pollution and sunburn) and internal factors (like hormonal disbalance, pregnancy, and excess sebum production) can trigger acne. Thankfully, there are various ways to combat acne. One such skin care product is benzoyl peroxide gel.
It is specifically designed to reduce acne and its scar marks. Benzoyl peroxide is available as gel, lotions, and creams from various drugstore brands. Read on to learn about benzoyl peroxide gel benefits and how to use it daily.
What is benzoyl peroxide?
Benzoyl Peroxide is a chemical compound used to treat and minimize acne. It is available over the counter in gels, spot treatments, cleansers, etc. It is an antibacterial substance that is topically effective in treating acne.
It is a mild ingredient and does not make the user resistant to antibiotics. The latter can become a problem when one tries antibiotic acne treatments. Benzoyl peroxide gel also has slight bleaching properties that can help acne scars fade away and give an overall brighter appearance to the skin.
What are the benefits of benzoyl peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide gel and other forms of the ingredients have several proven benefits for skincare. Here are some of the benefits you will experience by choosing to include this ingredient in your daily skincare routine:
Fights acne-causing bacteria
The primary benefit of benzoyl peroxide gel is fighting and reducing acne. It is often used as an overnight spot treatment as it shows significant and quick results against all types of acne, including cystic acne.
Furthermore, it reduces the inflammation around acne. Therefore, the acne is healed and the skin irritation surrounding it gets reduced by using this ingredient occasionally.
If you want a comprehensive anti-acne treatment, check out the Mamaearth Acne Marks Reduction Kit. It is a complete skincare solution against acne and pimples. It consists of Tea Tree Face Wash to cleanse the skin of dirt and debris, a Skin Correct Face Serum to target acne, and an Oil-Free Face Moisturizer to protect your skin barrier. These skincare products are infused with tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, niacinamide, vitamin C, and many more ingredients, all of which can help to reduce breakouts.
Reduces dark spots
We often develop dark spots as we squeeze acne or scratch at them. Eventually, a scar is left behind and it turns into a permanent spot. A benzoyl peroxide gel or cream can eliminate such dark spots because of its bleaching properties.
It can gently remove dead skin cells, the primary reason behind the darkening spot. As a result, the spot appears significantly faded.
Evens out the skin tone
As the acne and dark spots are reduced significantly, the skin tone appears more even than ever before. Moreover, it can soothe the reddened and bumpy surroundings of the acne. This is another reason the skin appears even-toned as you use the gels and creams occasionally.
Gets rid of blackheads and whiteheads
Blackheads and whiteheads form when excess sebum gets collected in enlarged pores along with dirt and debris and hardens over time. This ingredient in gel or cream form can kill all germs and bacteria, preventing blackheads and whiteheads from forming.
Calms inflammation
Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial ingredient that can effectively kill all aggravators like bacteria and thus prevent acne. In the process, it can also calm down inflammation around cystic acne.
Are there side effects of benzoyl peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the mildest treatments for acne. It is suitable for most skin types. Those with sensitive skin may occasionally complain of skin dryness, flaking, and a slight burning sensation.
However, after a couple of days of using the product, these reactions disappear once the skin gets accustomed to the topical application. If the skin feels too dry, it can be effectively countered by following up the acne treatment with a rich moisturizer.
Who should use benzoyl peroxide for skincare?
Benzoyl peroxide is suitable for all skin types that suffer from acne. If you are getting pimples, acne, or cystic acne that does not go away easily, a spot treatment containing this ingredient is a great choice. Using it over time will ensure you do not develop dark spots from acne scars either.
However, if you have sensitive skin, it is wise to do a patch test before you use the ingredient daily. Benzoyl peroxide gel or spot treatment should be ideally used 3-4 times a week. If you have severe acne problems and the formulation you chose is milder, it can be used daily too.
How to use benzoyl peroxide for skincare?
Here we have shared a detailed skincare routine to include the ingredients safely in your skincare:
- Cleanse the skin thoroughly first using a mild cleanser. Before you do that, apply a Multani mitti face pack and let it dry. Rinse it off with the cleanser after 15-20 minutes. You can have this ritual two to three times a week; you can add one more day if your skin is oily.
- Apply a toner followed by a serum to hydrate the skin.
- Then apply a moisturizer, leaving out the acne-affected spots.
- Lastly, apply benzoyl peroxide acne spot gel to the concerned skin areas before sleep.
The gel works overnight to dry out the pimples and eventually make them disappear. After that, you can use a Multani Mitti face pack for the next few days to further calm the skin. After that, use the spot treatment at least four times a week depending on the severity of your acne.
A better way is to use Mamaearth's Ubtan Face Mask with Saffron and Turmeric. It would help exfoliate and soothe the facial skin and reduce its tan. You may thus get fresh, flawless, and radiant skin with this traditional ubtan that contains the goodness of turmeric and saffron.
Wrapping up
One can rightly say that Benzoyl Peroxide is a versatile ingredient that is used for skin care and specifically to get rid of acne. To take a holistic approach to skincare, use a Multani mitti face pack occasionally alongside a benzoyl peroxide gel for maximum effect against acne.
At Mamaearth, we have developed various skincare and haircare products that are FDA approved. These are all designed keeping in mind the Indian skin types and their problems in mind. Serving millions of loyal customers effectively for years now, Mamaearth resonates with quality and trust.
