Many over the counter and prescription creams and gels, manufactured for the treatment of acne contain Benzoyl (or Hydrogen) Peroxide. Scientists and dermatoligists have found that this chemical reduces bacterial levels within the skin by 95%, after 5 days of usage. An achievement it would take tetracycline and erythromycin 2 months to achieve. No wonder then, that this is described as the “gold” of acne treatments.

I like many others, used this chemical (Benzoyl peroxide 2.5%) to treat my acne, for around 2 months. Whilst using I certainly saw its promised results: my acne did go down a lot ( but it never got me clear) - from huge ulcer like cysts to mere pimples.

However the damage this drug inflicted upon me, spolit the results. Initially, I was niave enough to believe that it wouldn’t dry my skin out that badly and dabbed it on liberally with no moisturizer - nothing. It turned me bright red and a couple of days later my skin wasn’t just flaking off (as mentioned could happen within the first days of use) but was rather peeling off - huge chunks at a time. After prolonged use the redness became less pronounced and the dryness went completely (with use of a moisturiser).

I found Benzoyl Peroxide to be a harsh topical treatment for acne, perhaps the harshest (although I’ve read thats Retin A) and my advice to anyone who is using it would be:

1. Use only 2.5% gels and creams (5% and 10% literally do just burn you - this is a a face peel)
2. Use tiny amounts and spread over large areas of skin
3. Use a good moisturiser (one that doesn’t contain oil otherwise its counterproductive)
4. Dont use a greasy “moisturising” soap  - I found it made my acne so much worse.
5. Dont apply it with other creams ( I tried using it with adapalene to negliagable results)
6. Wear  suncream if exposing skin to sun for a long session (Bp makes the skin a lot weaker and far more prone to sunburn)

Conclusion: I acknowledge that for many BP is a godsend. But for me the side effects so far from Roaccutane have been less than those I endured with BP.