Benzoyl peroxide is by far the most publicized and the most popular acne treatment currently available. It is recommended in prescription form by many different dermatologists, and there are various popular over the counter treatments that are supposedly developed by dermatologists that make use of it. The simple fact is that in some cases, it has been clinically proven to work.
But if you are considering benzoyl peroxide and have not used it before, there are a few things to know. First of all, you should know that it can cause side effects such as dependency. Its most common side effects are redness, irritation, dryness, allergies, and free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin and have been connected to skin damage and greater acne breakouts. But benzoyl peroxide actually produces more of them.
Those with sensitive skin in general cannot adapt and even those with hardier skin have to consider serious lotions, moisturizers, and other help products. In addition, if you stop using it suddenly, your face will experience greater breakouts than before for the simple reason that while it kills off all bacteria during use, it leaves your skin a great breeding ground for new bacteria should you ever stop using it. It should also be noted that benzoyl peroxide does not always work for everybody. In some cases, it just makes acne worse from the beginning. And in many cases, it is just too much in terms of side effects for skin in general. In all of these types of cases, benzoyl peroxide would of course be inadvisable, especially with so many other viable options.