Two of the main active ingredients in many acne medications are Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid. If these ingredient names sound familiar it is probably because you have heard of them in acne ads or read them on the bottles of medications that you have tried. They are quite popular and medications that include these two ingredients have been proven more effective than others that do not. If you are trying to treat your acne you may be asking yourself a few questions. Is there a difference in the two agents, and if so, which is the better of the two in the treatment and prevention of acne? Here we are going to breakdown the facts and help you make your decision.
What is Benzoyl Peroxide and why is it so effective?
Benzoyl Peroxide is used to treat and prevent mild to moderate cases of acne and it works to kill bacterium that causes acne. It can be found in a variety of treatments. Everything from gels, soaps, cleansers, lotions, creams, liquids, bars, etc. Which you decide to use is completely up to you and what you and your skin prefer. Benzoyl Peroxide also works as a peeling agent, increasing your skin’s turnover and clearings its pores. It also decreases bacteria buildup which helps in the prevention of P. Acnes. (The bacteria that causes your skin to breakout). Drying up skin blemishes and helping to clear skin and reduce redness it has been found effective in a number of people who have suffered from acne and used it for treatment.
Benzoyl Peroxide can be found in many over the counter products and varies in strength. Talk to your dermatologist to find out which strength is best for you and your skin type. Research has indicated that products with concentrations over the strength of 2.5% are not really much more effective than others and are usually much harsher on the skin. So it would probably be best to only use a smaller strength to prevent further irritation of the skin.
What is Salicylic Acid and why is it so effective?
Salicylic Acid comes from the bark of a willow tree and is a beta hydroxy acid. Salicylic Acid is a main ingredient in many popular acne medications that have been proven to be more effective in the market today. The acid’s medical properties have been known since ancient times as a fever relief drug as well as an anti-inflammatory drug. This is why today it is used in the treatment of everything from acne and dandruff to calluses and warts. Much like Benzoyl Peroxide it works as a peeling agent and treats and prevents acne by causing your skin cells to shed more easily and prevents the pores from clogging up. This also makes room for new skin cells to grow.
Salicylic Acid is known to penetrate oil filled pores and exfoliate the dead skin cells that have built up inside. This not only helps to reduce irritation and inflammation but also helps in the break down of acne such as whiteheads and blackheads. Also like Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid can be found in a variety of different treatments such as lotions, creams, etc. and is also found in a number of different concentrations. The recommended strengths or concentrations however are between 0.5% and 2%.
What are the side effects of Benzoyl Peroxide?
Some common side effects of Benzoyl Peroxide include dryness and irritation. Normally your skin will develop a tolerance to the product after a few weeks. However if you find that your skin is not building a tolerance and seems to just be irritating your skin further, try cutting back on the use of Benzoyl Peroxide or trying a smaller strength. If this does not seem to work then it would probably be best to talk to your dermatologist to see if they can suggest something different.
In some people who have sensitive skin types, Benzoyl Peroxide has been known to irritate the skin and cause burning, stinging, itching, swelling, and peeling after applying the product. If this happens to you talk to your dermatologist to see what they suggest. Benzoyl Peroxide has also been known to bleach things like clothing, cloths, fabrics, towels, and even hair. Due to this bleaching effect, you will want to be careful when applying the product to your face and take great care in trying not to get it on anything you don’t want bleached. Be especially careful when applying before bed, as it can rub off on pillows, etc.
When you first start using Benzoyl Peroxide something that has been suggested is alternating use every other day to give your skin time to adjust to its concentration.
What are the side effects of Salicylic Acid?
Some common side effects of Salicylic Acid include dryness, although instances of this that have been reported usually are very mild. Another common side effect is scaling of the skin. If you are using Salicylic Acid and seem to notice scaly skin then try applying a light oil free moisturizer after applying the acid as this will help even things out.
Some people may find that the use of Salicylic Acid irritates their skin. If this happens to you then you should use the product less frequently and if this does not seem to help or you notice that irritation or breakouts worsen then stop use of product altogether and talk to your dermatologist about different treatment options for acne as Salicylic Acid is not for everybody.
When using Salicylic Acid it is important to keep in mind that other products being used with it such as harsh soaps, cleansers, alcohol, and other acne products containing peeling agents and some other topical medications can cause skin irritation and dryness, so the use of these products at the same time should be avoided at all costs to prevent further skin complications from occurring.
Is one product better than the other?
When looking at all of this information it is obvious that both Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid have been found effective in the treatment and prevention of acne. Both work as peeling agents and have similar effects and similar possible side effects on the skin and in treating and preventing acne in the skin. The main difference between the two is that Benzoyl Peroxide works as an antiseptic, which can make it more aggressive in strength and harsher on the skin. So depending on your skin type you may have different reactions. If you have sensitive skin then it might be best to try Salicylic Acid as the Benzoyl Peroxide seems to be harsher on the skin since it is an antiseptic, however keep in mind that both products have the possibility of causing side effects on sensitive skin types. In conclusion, which product is better for treatment and prevention really just depends on who is using it and what kind of skin they have. As always discuss treatment options with your dermatologist for best results before using either product.
