Benzoyl peroxideis the most effective over-the-counter acne treatment. It can be found in both over-the-counter andprescription acne medicationin concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10%. Benzoyl peroxide is bactericidal, meaning it kills bacteria. It works againstCutibacterium acnes(C. acnes), a type of bacteria that contributes to the development of acne.Benzoyl peroxide is effective, but it has side effects. It can make your skin dry and flaky and cause a burning sensation when you apply it. Using moisturizer just before you apply benzoyl peroxide can help. Since benzoyl peroxide can also stain, it’s best to keep it away from fabrics and hair.This article provides tips for using benzoyl peroxide that can reduce side effects, protect clothing, and make the medication more effective.

Benzoyl peroxideis the most effective over-the-counter acne treatment. It can be found in both over-the-counter andprescription acne medicationin concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10%. Benzoyl peroxide is bactericidal, meaning it kills bacteria. It works againstCutibacterium acnes(C. acnes), a type of bacteria that contributes to the development of acne.

Benzoyl peroxide is effective, but it has side effects. It can make your skin dry and flaky and cause a burning sensation when you apply it. Using moisturizer just before you apply benzoyl peroxide can help. Since benzoyl peroxide can also stain, it’s best to keep it away from fabrics and hair.

This article provides tips for using benzoyl peroxide that can reduce side effects, protect clothing, and make the medication more effective.

1

Use a Moisturizer Every Day

Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

Illustrated adult man touching his face to apply benzoyl peroxide. Text on image reads: How to treat dry skin caused by benzoyl peroxide: Avoid drying skin care products; start using a moisturizer, scale back benzoyl peroxide use, avoid overuse of benzoyl peroxide, don’t scrub, switch to a gentler formulation

Dy skin is the most commonside effect of benzoyl peroxide use.Most people find benzoyl peroxide too drying to the point of being uncomfortable. It can also make your skin burn, flake, and peel.

The best way to counteract this is to use anoncomedogenic(doesn’t clog pores) moisturizer every day.If you’re just beginning your benzoyl peroxide treatment, start using moisturizer before you notice any uncomfortable dryness.

If your skin is already dry and flaky, put a liberal amount of moisturizer on first, immediately after cleansing, then apply benzoyl peroxide. This should be done right before bed.

Choose a moisturizerthat is oil-free and noncomedogenic to help prevent new blocked pores. A fragrance-free moisturizer made for sensitive skin will be more soothing to already irritated skin.

2Keep It Away From Fabrics and HairBenzoyl peroxide acts like bleach, so take care not to stain clothing when using it.Thoroughly rinse off benzoyl peroxide cleansers. Let benzoyl peroxide creams and lotions dry completely before dressing or lying on a pillow. Always wash your hands well after using any benzoyl peroxide treatment.If you have dark hair, keep benzoyl peroxide away from your hairline. Regular exposure can also bleach your hair.Prevent Benzoyl Peroxide Bleach Stains

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Keep It Away From Fabrics and HairBenzoyl peroxide acts like bleach, so take care not to stain clothing when using it.Thoroughly rinse off benzoyl peroxide cleansers. Let benzoyl peroxide creams and lotions dry completely before dressing or lying on a pillow. Always wash your hands well after using any benzoyl peroxide treatment.If you have dark hair, keep benzoyl peroxide away from your hairline. Regular exposure can also bleach your hair.Prevent Benzoyl Peroxide Bleach Stains

Keep It Away From Fabrics and Hair

Benzoyl peroxide acts like bleach, so take care not to stain clothing when using it.Thoroughly rinse off benzoyl peroxide cleansers. Let benzoyl peroxide creams and lotions dry completely before dressing or lying on a pillow. Always wash your hands well after using any benzoyl peroxide treatment.

If you have dark hair, keep benzoyl peroxide away from your hairline. Regular exposure can also bleach your hair.

Prevent Benzoyl Peroxide Bleach Stains

3Always Wear SunscreenBenzoyl peroxide can make your skin more likely to burn.During use, you will be more prone to sunburn and sun damage. Try to stay out of the sun and don’t use tanning beds while you’re using this medication.Choose a sunscreenthat’s oil-free with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and wear it every day. This will protect you from skin cancer and premature aging.If you’d prefer not to use sunscreen, look for a moisturizer that has SPF.Sun Sensitivity With Acne Medications

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Always Wear SunscreenBenzoyl peroxide can make your skin more likely to burn.During use, you will be more prone to sunburn and sun damage. Try to stay out of the sun and don’t use tanning beds while you’re using this medication.Choose a sunscreenthat’s oil-free with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and wear it every day. This will protect you from skin cancer and premature aging.If you’d prefer not to use sunscreen, look for a moisturizer that has SPF.Sun Sensitivity With Acne Medications

Always Wear Sunscreen

Benzoyl peroxide can make your skin more likely to burn.During use, you will be more prone to sunburn and sun damage. Try to stay out of the sun and don’t use tanning beds while you’re using this medication.

Choose a sunscreenthat’s oil-free with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and wear it every day. This will protect you from skin cancer and premature aging.

If you’d prefer not to use sunscreen, look for a moisturizer that has SPF.

Sun Sensitivity With Acne Medications

4Don’t Use Multiple Acne MedicationsUsing multiple acne treatment products won’t help you get clearer skin faster. Instead, it can cause severe redness, drying, peeling, and flaking. Don’t use benzoyl peroxide with other acne medications unless your healthcare provider has recommended it.Under certain circumstances, benzoyl peroxide may deactivateRetin-A(tretinoin) when the two medications are applied simultaneously.If in doubt, ask your dermatologist first.

4

Don’t Use Multiple Acne MedicationsUsing multiple acne treatment products won’t help you get clearer skin faster. Instead, it can cause severe redness, drying, peeling, and flaking. Don’t use benzoyl peroxide with other acne medications unless your healthcare provider has recommended it.Under certain circumstances, benzoyl peroxide may deactivateRetin-A(tretinoin) when the two medications are applied simultaneously.If in doubt, ask your dermatologist first.

Don’t Use Multiple Acne Medications

Using multiple acne treatment products won’t help you get clearer skin faster. Instead, it can cause severe redness, drying, peeling, and flaking. Don’t use benzoyl peroxide with other acne medications unless your healthcare provider has recommended it.

Under certain circumstances, benzoyl peroxide may deactivateRetin-A(tretinoin) when the two medications are applied simultaneously.If in doubt, ask your dermatologist first.

SummaryBenzoyl peroxide is an effective acne medication, but it can cause side effects like dryness and flaking. To limit or reduce these side effects, use a noncomedogenic moisturizer after you wash your face but before you apply the benzoyl peroxide. Don’t combine benzoyl peroxide with other acne medications unless your healthcare provider has instructed you to do so.Benzoyl peroxide can also act like a bleach, so take care when using it near fabric and hair. And because it can make your skin more likely to burn in the sun, avoid sun exposure whenever possible and wear sunscreen with at least 30 SPF.

Summary

Benzoyl peroxide is an effective acne medication, but it can cause side effects like dryness and flaking. To limit or reduce these side effects, use a noncomedogenic moisturizer after you wash your face but before you apply the benzoyl peroxide. Don’t combine benzoyl peroxide with other acne medications unless your healthcare provider has instructed you to do so.

Benzoyl peroxide can also act like a bleach, so take care when using it near fabric and hair. And because it can make your skin more likely to burn in the sun, avoid sun exposure whenever possible and wear sunscreen with at least 30 SPF.

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.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.S359055Kawashima 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:10.1111/1346-8138.13996Bagatin E, Freitas THP, Rivitti-Machado MC, et al.Adult female acne: a guide to clinical practice.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):62–75. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20198203Del Rosso J, Sugarman J, Green L, et al.Efficacy and safety of microencapsulated benzoyl peroxide and microencapsulated tretinoin for the treatment of acne vulgaris: Results from two phase 3 double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;89(4):719-727. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.05.093

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.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.S359055Kawashima 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:10.1111/1346-8138.13996Bagatin E, Freitas THP, Rivitti-Machado MC, et al.Adult female acne: a guide to clinical practice.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):62–75. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20198203Del Rosso J, Sugarman J, Green L, et al.Efficacy and safety of microencapsulated benzoyl peroxide and microencapsulated tretinoin for the treatment of acne vulgaris: Results from two phase 3 double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;89(4):719-727. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.05.093

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.

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.S359055Kawashima 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:10.1111/1346-8138.13996Bagatin E, Freitas THP, Rivitti-Machado MC, et al.Adult female acne: a guide to clinical practice.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):62–75. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20198203Del Rosso J, Sugarman J, Green L, et al.Efficacy and safety of microencapsulated benzoyl peroxide and microencapsulated tretinoin for the treatment of acne vulgaris: Results from two phase 3 double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;89(4):719-727. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.05.093

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

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

Bagatin E, Freitas THP, Rivitti-Machado MC, et al.Adult female acne: a guide to clinical practice.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):62–75. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20198203

Del Rosso J, Sugarman J, Green L, et al.Efficacy and safety of microencapsulated benzoyl peroxide and microencapsulated tretinoin for the treatment of acne vulgaris: Results from two phase 3 double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;89(4):719-727. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.05.093

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