What can I use with Benzoyl Peroxide?

[MaddyJ5]

Hi! 

I got prescribed a benzyl peroxide topical ointment to help with my acne. I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations for products I should use/ are okay to use with benzyl peroxide. I really want my acne to get better and I don’t want to burn/ harm my skin in the process. 

[313apacheDET]

Hello! I use Tretinoin 0.1% and benzyl peroxide together. It didn't use the tretinoin daily -i used it maybe 3 times a week- but the benzyl peroxide I did use daily. The tretoin is expensive so I get a supply from Mexico or have my family get it when they go. In America, with insurance, I pay $75 for 45g of the 0.1% tretinoin. The pharmacy said using them together was ok but not to make a habit of it. Another good product is a cream called Aklief. But that's super expensive. It is worth the $125 but I was given a script

Try NURX. It's an app that sells acne cream via telemedicine!

[elllllb17]

Hi! I find BP very effective for me, but I have to remind myself to be patient. My skin becomes a different kind of mess if I rush things. There are some percentages that I have to use every 3 days.
I utilize a hyaluronic acid hydration serum after my cleanser and before my BP treatment. The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL  is my choice. I cleanse, apply a pea size amount of this serum to damp skin, and then my BP treatment once the serum has dried. The days I use BP, I don't use any other actives. My doc has me let the BP treatment sit for 30 minutes before I apply moisturizer.
You got this!

[MaddyJ5]

Thank you!! 

[gnomeee]

My main lesson from using benzoyl peroxide is to not overdo it. I get so impatient with acne that I apply it multiple times a day, and that’s when I burn myself. I hope your skin feels better soon!

[MaddyJ5]

Hi, 

thank you! I’m trying to just use it once a day before I go to bed! 

do you find once your acne clears up you’re able to stop using it? Or is it something that always needs to be used? 

[gnomeee]

Of course, take your dermatologist’s advice over mine, but I only ever use benzoyl peroxide as an acne spot treatment. If I’m not breaking out, I don’t use it. 

[quspork]

@MaddyJ5 Since BP can be drying, I'd probably focus on keeping your skin well moisturized while you use it. Do you have a skincare routine currently?

[MaddyJ5]

I currently use the clinque mild facial soap, and Clinique toner with a cetaphil moisturizer! 

[MaddyJ5]

 @greeneyedgirl107 thank you so much!

I am using the Clinique toner targeted towards acne so I’ll try something different.  Do you have any good toner recommendations? 

or do you think that a gentle cleanser like you recommended, paired with the BP spot treatment and a gentle moisturizer should be okay? 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@MaddyJ5 I'm not a big fan of toners.  If you are interested in one, check out the ones from Paula's Choice.  I own two, and use them on occasion.  Choose the one that is right for your skin type (oily, dry, etc).

Did your MD tell you to use the BP all over, or as a spot treatment?  Just curious.   I would follow the MD 🙂

As for a moisturizer, I have a unique view on them.  I don't think everyone needs one per se.  My skin runs oily so I only use it where I'm dry.  For a lightweight moisturizer,  I rec CeraVe PM.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@MaddyJ5 Are you using the Clinique bar soap or liquid soap?  If it's the bar soap, I would avoid it.  Bar soaps can be harsh on skin and may be exacerbating skin issues.  A gentle, liquid cleanser is best.  I find that First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser – Gentle Hydrating Cleanser  is very good for many skin types.  Also, what Clinique toner are you using?  They had a bad reputation for a long time as many had alcohol in them which irritates skin.  I believe they reformulated some, but the one targeted for acne (can't seem to tag it) sill lists it as an ingredient.

I personally think benzoyl peroxide is best as a spot treatment.  Other than it having the potential to be drying and staining hair/fabric, one thing to remember with it is that retinoids deactivate it.  It doesn't look like you're using one, though.

For acne, use a gentle liquid cleanser, consider a BHA product like Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (it's very popular and effective), spot treat with benzoyl peroxide (I like Clean & Clear Persa-gel).  If you are still struggling, you can dry OTC Differin.  I personally think that the Rx version is way superior.  And if you are still struggling, then ask your derm if you are a candidate for Retin-A (generic Tretinoin).

If oily skin is an issue for you, use oil blotting sheets.  They can help when used routinely.  Target makes good ones.  Also, a clay mask can help.  My favorite is innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask 3.38 oz/ 100 mL .

Best of luck!  Let us know how it goes!

EDIT: I didn't realize it was PRESCRIPTION benzoyl peroxide.  Sorry.

[WinglessOne]

@greeneyedgirl107 @MaddyJ5  Bar soaps like Clinique's are probably fine for the face, as long as they have a mild pH. That's the main reason true bar soaps are bad for the face: they're quite alkaline. These days, most cleansing bars marketed for face washing aren't truly soap and are formulated with a mild pH. Examples: CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Bar, Vanicream Z-Bar, the Good Molecules cleansing bars, etc. I've never tried any of Clinique's bars, so I have no idea what their pH is. But the INCI list of their Facial Soap for dry combo skin doesn't raise any red flags to me, at least not for my particular skin. I wish Clinique wouldn't call their bars "soap" but, well... 🤷‍♀️ 

I wish I could offer firsthand experience advice for benzoyl peroxide, but I can't use that ingredient. Hopefully your prescribing doctor told you to be sure to hydrate and moisturize your skin well, because that stuff can definitely be drying. (Eh, so can retinoids and salicylic acid, depending on the strength and your skin's tolerance level.) If you choose a hyaluronic acid serum or some other humectant hydrating serum or essence/toner, apply it to damp skin so it can draw that water to your face. Also, apply your moisturizer to damp skin to seal in hydration instead of dryness. 

And remember that you can ask your prescribing doctor however many questions you have about benzoyl peroxide and skincare in general, especially regarding your particular skin. Might as well get your money's worth from a medical expert, right? I often ask my dermatologist questions, and he's actually surprised when I have nothing to ask during an appointment. 😂 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@WinglessOne I had no idea about those bars!  Thanks for the info.  I wish Beautypedia still had its reviews so I could check if they had info about pH.  

[WinglessOne]

@greeneyedgirl107  I wonder how many true bar soaps even exist (in the US, anyway) nowadays. I suspect many of them don't contain lye or other very alkaline ingredients. I could be completely wrong about that, but I'm not sure even Ivory soap uses lye anymore—and if it doesn't use that or some other base, then it's no longer "soap." 

I'm almost curious enough to skim INCI lists of various soaps (or I dunno, "used to be soaps") and see if any contain a base like lye or baking soda. Almost curious enough. 😂 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@WinglessOne so much curiosity, so little time!  Bars might be making a comeback since everything old is new again.  I've been seeing them at BBW.