Overview
Benzoyl peroxide had long been used as a key ingredient in skin care products and acne remedies. Benzoyl peroxide is a synthetic chemical of the organic peroxide family. It is also found in certain herbs like leaves of tea tree, that's why tea tree oil is used as a natural source of benzoyl peroxide. It possesses great antibacterial, antifungal and exfoliating properties. Salicylic acid and azelaic acid are considered group members of benzoyl peroxide. Although it is effective, its may produce adverse effects and certain side effects are common to all and do occur like dry and itchy skin.
How does benzoyl peroxide stop acne?
Propionibacterium acnes is a commonly found in all types of skin, whether it is healthy or unhealthy. Due to weak immune system of unhealthy person, these bacteria infect epithelial tissues of skin like hair follicles and sebaceous glands. In response to destructive activity of microbes and infection, hair follicles get inflamed and sebaceous glands produces excessive sebum. Sebum is produced excessively and hair follicles getting narrower and narrower restricting the sebum leave the skin. What happen next? Sebum exerts pressure on the walls of hair follicles and bumps arises on the skin. If the sebum pops out the bump, it is called blackhead. When sebum ruptures hair follicles and enter the deep skin layers, you notice severe pain. What causes it? Bacterial infection, off course. Benzoyl peroxide is very effectively for treating such skin infections and killing propionibacterium. It is used topically in the form of creams, lotions and gels. Secondly, it also takes part in exfoliating of dead skin cells, but in this sense its use it limited and for this purpose salicylic acid is widely used. Use only 2.5 to 5% benzoyl peroxide based creams. Few companies have raised its percentage of concentration that may damage your skin and produce deep scars.
Adverse Effects of Benzoyl Peroxide
According to a research, continuous use of benzoyl peroxide for a year long period may cause skin cancer. It should be used for a long period of time. Stop its use few days after acne cure. If your dermatologist prescribed it, consult him or her before stopping. In case you stop the use of benzoyl peroxide before it completely destroy the bacterial colony, bacterial may infect again and get resistance to it. Severe skin dryness, irritation, itching and allergic reactions are more common experience by almost 70% of its users.
Alternative to Benzoyl Peroxide
There are a number of alternative to benzoyl peroxide like salicylic acid, azelaic acid, oral and topical antibiotics, accutane and herbal acne remedies. May I you a question? Why you are seeking benzoyl peroxide alternatives? Perhaps it is because, using benzoyl peroxide is not safe and produce severe skin dryness that happens to be traumatic specially in winter. Longer use may increase the risks of developing skin cancer. Thus, you should select such as alternative that is safe, effective and inexpensive. There are many brands of quality over the counter herbal acne remedies that yields proven results. Herbal remedies contains nutrients and antibiotics that not only reduces infection but also nourish your skin to make it healthy and beautiful, on the other hand, benzoyl peroxide leaves the skin flaky and extremely dry and some times with severe damage.
The Community
Acne Treatment Canada
