Experiences with
Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is used to treat acne. It works as an antiseptic to reduce the number of germs (bacteria) on the surface of your skin.

It's usually one of the first treatments recommended for mild to moderate acne.

It comes as a gel or face wash containing 5% benzoyl peroxide. This is available to buy from pharmacies or shops with the brand name Acnecide.

Benzoyl peroxide is sometimes mixed with potassium hydroxyquinoline sulfate. This is an antimicrobial ingredient that kills micro-organisms on your skin. It's sold in pharmacies as Quinoderm cream.

Some benzoyl peroxide products are available on prescription only. This is because they contain other medicines such as antibiotics or retinoids (exfoliants). For example, Duac Once Daily contains benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin, an antibiotic. Epiduo gel contains benzoyl peroxide and adapalene, a retinoid.

Many popular skincare brands also make products that contain benzoyl peroxide, but at a lower strength. These are available to buy in pharmacies, supermarkets and shops. Brands include Clean & Clear, Neutrogena and Clearasil.

Who can use benzoyl peroxide

Most adults and children aged 12 years and over can use benzoyl peroxide.

Who may not be able to use benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is not suitable for some people.

To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before using this medicine if you:

have ever had an allergic reaction to benzoyl peroxide or any other medicine
have damaged or broken skin where you need to use the treatment
have very bad acne with nodules (large, hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful) or cysts (large, pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils) – these need to be treated by a doctor to avoid scarring

Dosage

You'll usually use benzoyl peroxide gel or face wash once or twice a day.

If you have sensitive skin, use it once a day, before going to bed.

If your skin becomes dry or starts peeling, try using benzoyl peroxide less often. Put it on once a day or once every 2 days, until your skin gets used to it.

How to use benzoyl peroxide 5% gel

The amount of gel you need to use is sometimes measured in fingertip units. This is the amount you can squeeze onto the end of your finger.

As a general rule, a fingertip unit of gel is enough to treat an area that's twice the size of the palm of your hand.

If you need to treat your whole face, use a strip of gel 2.5cm long each time.

Wash your hands.
Wash the affected area with a mild skin cleanser and water.
Gently pat your skin dry.
Put a thin layer of gel on all the affected areas.
Wash your hands again.

Try to avoid strong sunlight while using benzoyl peroxide gel. Use an oil-free sunscreen, or a moisturiser or foundation with added SPF30. In stronger sunlight, use SPF30 or above. Ask a pharmacist to help you pick a sunscreen that's right for your skin type.

How to use benzoyl peroxide 5% wash

Wash your hands.
Wet the area you want to treat.
Put a small amount of the product onto your hands.
Smooth it onto the affected area.
Keep the wash on your skin for no more than 1 to 2 minutes.
Rinse your face thoroughly with water.
Gently pat your skin dry.
Wash your hands again.

Benzoyl peroxide can bleach or discolour your hair, as well as clothes, towels and bedding. Keep it away from hair and coloured fabrics.

How long you'll need to use it for depends on how quickly your condition improves.

Benzoyl peroxide will usually start to work within 4 weeks, but once your acne is under control you may want to keep using it to stop your acne coming back.

You may find that using it less often, such as every other day, is enough to stop acne coming back.

If you forget to use it

It does not matter if you forget to use benzoyl peroxide.

When you remember, start using it again once or twice a day in the same way as before.

If you use too much

If you use too much benzoyl peroxide, your skin may become irritated. Wash off as much as you can and wait for the irritation to go away.

When your skin has calmed down, you can start using benzoyl peroxide again. Be careful to follow the instructions on the package.

Keep benzoyl peroxide away from your eyes. If you get the gel or wash in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water for a few minutes or until it stops stinging.

Common side effects

These common side effects of benzoyl peroxide happen in more than 1 in 10 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Apply a moisturiser and lip balm regularly. The best type of moisturiser is an oil-free face moisturiser for sensitive skin. Try to take shorter showers, using warm water rather than hot.

Redness may be less obvious on brown or black skin. Try using the gel or wash less often, or stop using it for a few days until the irritation goes away, then start again. Do not use other products on your skin until it gets better.

Speak to a doctor if your symptoms do not get better or are severe.

Try using the gel or wash less often (once a day instead of twice, or every other day). It might help to stop using the gel for a few days until the irritation goes away, then start again.

If the irritation does not go away after this time, stop using it and speak to a doctor.

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Stop using benzoyl peroxide if:

the skin that you're treating becomes swollen
you get blisters on your skin

If your symptoms do not get better within a couple of days or if they get worse at any time, call a doctor or call 111 straight away.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to benzoyl peroxide.

Meds New IA (H4) - serious allergic reaction

These are not all the side effects of benzoyl peroxide. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Benzoyl peroxide and pregnancy

You can use benzoyl peroxide during pregnancy. It is applied to the skin and the small amount that might pass to your baby should not cause any problems.

Benzoyl peroxide and breastfeeding

It's OK to use benzoyl peroxide while you're breastfeeding. It is very unlikely that any will get into your breast milk.

When using benzoyl peroxide, be careful that your baby does not come into contact with the areas of your body you have put it on. Wash your hands after you have applied it and before picking up your baby.

It's best to avoid putting benzoyl peroxide on your chest area if possible, but if you do need to use it, wash it off before feeding your baby.

Benzoyl peroxide and fertility

There's no evidence that benzoyl peroxide affects fertility in either men or women.

Meds New IA (H2) - Pregnancy non-urgent care card

Cautions with other medicines

Some products and medicines can irritate your skin if you use them while you're treating your skin with benzoyl peroxide gel or wash.

Do not use benzoyl peroxide with any other medicines that may have drying or irritating effects on your skin. These include alcohol-based skincare products. Always check the ingredients on the label and choose products for sensitive skin.

Do not use other benzoyl peroxide products or other acne medicines (such as isotretinoin), unless your doctor or pharmacist says it's OK. It may cause your skin to become very sore.

Mixing benzoyl peroxide with herbal remedies and supplements

There's not enough information to say that complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with benzoyl peroxide. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Meds New IA (H2) - Cautions with other medicines alert