Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUse MoisturizerAvoid Drying ProductsStart SlowlyAvoid ScrubbingUse a Gentler FormScale Back UseWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Use Moisturizer
Avoid Drying Products
Start Slowly
Avoid Scrubbing
Use a Gentler Form
Scale Back Use
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Benzoyl peroxide can be effective in treating acne, but it can also cause some skin irritation.Over-the-counter (OTC) acne productsand prescription drugs with benzoyl peroxide dry up excesssebum(oil), which can cause dry, flaky skin.
Immediately after application, benzoyl peroxide may cause irritation lasting a few minutes. This stinging and burning sensation is typically short-term. Drying, flaking, and peeling skin may persist for much longer, but even these benzoyl peroxide reactions usually go away after the first few weeks of use.
This article will show you a few steps you can take to limit dryness and soothe irritated skin from benzoyl peroxide while keeping your acne treatment on track.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Start Using a Moisturizer
For chapped or peeling skin, the best choice is a hypo-allergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer. It’s least likely to irritate your already tender skin.
When using topical benzoyl peroxide, moisturize first. Let in soak in, then apply the benzoyl peroxide. This helps buffer the medication and compensates for its drying effects.
With benzoyl peroxide cleansers or washes, first cleanse, then apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp. This helps seal in moisture.
Does Oily Skin Need a Moisturizer?
Avoid Products That Dry the Skin
Unless your dermatologist says to use them, avoid:
These products can make the dryness worse. Instead, try a gentle, non-medicated cleanser like:
If your skin is so chapped that even gentle cleansers sting or burn, skip them. Just use plain water to clean your skin.
Stop using all other OTC acne treatments and products for oily skin types. Once your skin isn’t so dry, you can slowly reintroduce them, if necessary.
Start Benzoyl Peroxide Slowly
If you haven’t started using benzoyl peroxide, or you’ve just used it for a few days, you may be able to head off dryness and peeling before it starts.
Studies suggest applying the benzoyl peroxide every other day to start.Slowly increase it over the next three to four weeks until you’re using it daily.
Avoid overuse. Instead, be consistent and avoid gaps in treatment.
Don’t try to scrub away the peeling skin with a gritty, abrasive scrub. It can cause more irritation and make your skin raw.
If flaking skin is driving you nuts, use a soft washcloth and warm water to gently buff it away. Don’t rub too hard, though. Apply a gentle moisturizer right afterward.
Why Abrasive Scrubs May Aggravate Acne
Switch to a Gentler Formulation
OTC benzoyl peroxide products come in strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10%. If your skin is unhappy with a high-percentage product, switch to one with less benzoyl peroxide. The amounts are listed on the label.
All benzoyl peroxide formulas will kill the bacteria that cause acne. Higher-strength benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria faster than the lower strengths (2.5% may take 15 minutes, while 5% takes only 30 seconds). Studies have found that the 10% strength does not kill bacteria faster than the 5%.
If you’re using a prescription medication and you are experiencing irritation, ask your dermatologist if it comes in a lower strength. If not, ask for ideas to tame the dryness. Or you can try scaling back. As your skin gets used to it, you can bump up to a higher percentage.
Scale Back When Needed
Your skin may need a break from benzoyl peroxide at times. This includes when it’s so dry that it’s uncomfortable. Don’t stop using it altogether, though.
Instead, try cutting back to every other day or a couple times per week. Once your skin feels better,slowly use more until you’re back up to the recommended dose.
Benzoyl Peroxide Side Effects
Dryness and peeling are usually worst during thefirst few weeks of benzoyl peroxide use. It’ll get better over time. But talk to your dermatologist if your skin is:
Your skin may be too sensitive for this medication. Or you could have abenzoyl peroxide allergy. In either case, you need different acne treatments.
Summary
When starting, use benzoyl peroxide on alternate days. Use it more often as your skin adjusts. Scrubbing off dry skin can cause irritation. Instead, rub it gently with a soft washcloth and then moisturize.
If your skin needs a break, scale back usage. Then work back up to the usual dose. If irritation persists or gets worse, check with your healthcare provider.
Benzoyl Peroxide vs. Salicylic Acid
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, et al.Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD011154. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011154.pub2Kawashima M, Nagare T, Doi M.Clinical efficacy and safety of benzoyl peroxide for acne vulgaris: Comparison between Japanese and Western patients.J Dermatol. 2017;44(11):1212–1218. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.13996Sevimli Dikicier B.Topical treatment of acne vulgaris: efficiency, side effects, and adherence rate.J Int Med Res. 2019;47(7):2987–2992. doi:10.1177/0300060519847367Boonchaya P, Rojhirunsakool S, Kamanamool N, et al.Minimum contact time of 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% benzoyl peroxide for a bactericidal effect againstCutibacterium acnes.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:403-409. doi:10.2147/CCID.S359055Additional ReadingBaldwin HE.Pharmacologic treatment options in mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S82-S85. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0162Mohammad TF, Burkart CG.Acne therapeutics: A closer look at benzoyl peroxide.Skinmed.2015;13(2):94-96.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, et al.Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD011154. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011154.pub2Kawashima M, Nagare T, Doi M.Clinical efficacy and safety of benzoyl peroxide for acne vulgaris: Comparison between Japanese and Western patients.J Dermatol. 2017;44(11):1212–1218. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.13996Sevimli Dikicier B.Topical treatment of acne vulgaris: efficiency, side effects, and adherence rate.J Int Med Res. 2019;47(7):2987–2992. doi:10.1177/0300060519847367Boonchaya P, Rojhirunsakool S, Kamanamool N, et al.Minimum contact time of 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% benzoyl peroxide for a bactericidal effect againstCutibacterium acnes.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:403-409. doi:10.2147/CCID.S359055Additional ReadingBaldwin HE.Pharmacologic treatment options in mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S82-S85. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0162Mohammad TF, Burkart CG.Acne therapeutics: A closer look at benzoyl peroxide.Skinmed.2015;13(2):94-96.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, et al.Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD011154. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011154.pub2Kawashima M, Nagare T, Doi M.Clinical efficacy and safety of benzoyl peroxide for acne vulgaris: Comparison between Japanese and Western patients.J Dermatol. 2017;44(11):1212–1218. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.13996Sevimli Dikicier B.Topical treatment of acne vulgaris: efficiency, side effects, and adherence rate.J Int Med Res. 2019;47(7):2987–2992. doi:10.1177/0300060519847367Boonchaya P, Rojhirunsakool S, Kamanamool N, et al.Minimum contact time of 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% benzoyl peroxide for a bactericidal effect againstCutibacterium acnes.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:403-409. doi:10.2147/CCID.S359055
Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, et al.Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD011154. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011154.pub2
Kawashima M, Nagare T, Doi M.Clinical efficacy and safety of benzoyl peroxide for acne vulgaris: Comparison between Japanese and Western patients.J Dermatol. 2017;44(11):1212–1218. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.13996
Sevimli Dikicier B.Topical treatment of acne vulgaris: efficiency, side effects, and adherence rate.J Int Med Res. 2019;47(7):2987–2992. doi:10.1177/0300060519847367
Boonchaya P, Rojhirunsakool S, Kamanamool N, et al.Minimum contact time of 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% benzoyl peroxide for a bactericidal effect againstCutibacterium acnes.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:403-409. doi:10.2147/CCID.S359055
Baldwin HE.Pharmacologic treatment options in mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S82-S85. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0162Mohammad TF, Burkart CG.Acne therapeutics: A closer look at benzoyl peroxide.Skinmed.2015;13(2):94-96.
Baldwin HE.Pharmacologic treatment options in mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris.Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2015;34(5 Suppl):S82-S85. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0162
Mohammad TF, Burkart CG.Acne therapeutics: A closer look at benzoyl peroxide.Skinmed.2015;13(2):94-96.
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