More Isn't Always Better For Treating Acne

It's one of the most common and most effective means for treating acne, but that doesn't mean it should be over used for better results. When it comes to using benzoyl peroxide on a breakout, less oftentimes is more.

Benzoyl peroxide itself is a pretty strong over the counter (generally) medicine that is found in a number of different acne treatments. It can be purchased in liquid form, in creams, in gels, on wiping pads and even in make up. No matter the form it comes in, however, it's advised to start with as little as possible and work up if no results are noticed after a certain period of time. (This will vary depending on the form in question.)

Benzoyl peroxide is basically nothing more than a bleaching agent that's effective in treating acne in a number of people. It's effective in a lot of mild to moderate cases and tends to come in a number of different strengths. The general range is from 2.5 percent up to 10 percent.

While it might seem going straight for the gusto at the 10 percent level is in order, this is almost never recommended. Even over the counter, benzoyl peroxide is pretty serious stuff and it can have some disheartening side effects for acne sufferers. So, it's best to start out small and work up, if it's even necessary.

For those who have never used benzoyl peroxide before, this agent will generally irritate the skin somewhat the first few applications. If it persists, the medicine might not be the best choice for you. If it goes away and seems effective at the 2.5 percent, stick with that to treat current and future breakouts. If the irritation goes away, but the acne doesn't, try slowing working up to a stronger dose.

Another unfortunate side effect of this particular medicine is dry skin. This, too, generally will pass, or may not even present if the lowest dose is tried first. If dry skin persists, another form of treatment is in order. Dry, irritated skin that lasts can be even more prone to acne than skin that's not treated at all.

Although it's human nature to think if something works well in a small dose, it will work even better in a mega one, this is just not the case for acne medicine. Start out weak and move up if no results are evident. Otherwise, you might take on the appearance of a scaly lizard, which isn't really an improvement over acne. As it is with most acne treatments, the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide will vary from person to person, but for those it helps, it's considered a lifesaver.

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