I started to use benzoyl peroxide for my chest acne. It itches and looks worse. what should i do?

Question

I know that when you use something strong as proactive people often break out more in the beginning and it gets clearer. Is it like that for benzoyl peroxide too? I been using it for almost weeks but i dont see any results. I also used neutrogena body clear body wash containing salicylic acid before using benzoyl peroxide but that didnt really work for me either. any recommendations on what else there are that i can use? Oh and i dont have severe acne just mild. Thanks

Answer 1

A small percentage of people are allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide. An additional small-ish percentage of people become sensitized (that is, newly allergic) to it after using it for a while. (That's what happened to me, actually.) If you are allergic to it, then you should not use it anymore--as in "EVER."

AAMOF, my own dermatologist is one of the docs who invented "Proactive," and even SHE says that I shouldn't use her product, since I've become sensitized to it's active ingredient.

What's good? It's funny, but sometimes the simplest (and cheapest) stuff works the best. Plain old Witch Hazel is a really good, soothing astringent. And Hydrogen Peroxide (the 3% solution in the brown plastic bottle) is good for infected zits--and, unlike Benzoyl Peroxide, you can't become allergic to it. If you need to dry stuff up (which I don't necessarily recommend, because you can irritate your skin), then try a clay-based facial masque.

Also: This is really counter-intuitive, but you should have a good, non-comedogenic moisturizer, because if you dry out your skin too much, then sometimes your oil glands might "work overtime" trying to correct it, and that makes even more acne.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
I started to use benzoyl peroxide for my chest acne. It itches and looks worse. what should i do?
I know that when you use something strong as proactive people often break out more in the beginning and it gets clearer. Is it like that for benzoyl peroxide too? I been using it for almost weeks but i dont see any results. I also used neutrogena body clear body wash containing salicylic acid...

Answer 3

If you’re looking for accurate acne information, best to see a dermatologist. Some people believe doctors are predisposed to take the easy way to deal with acne… prescription drugs. But, with many, this simplistic answer may not be the appropriate course of action. Some feel that such prescription drugs just treat the symposium and not the underlying cause. But, a local dermatologist is still your best starting point.
For me personally, I discovered a great informational acne treatment site. Not only is there good information/articles but I got their audio e-book and following it’s advice can now say that my acne is a thing of the past! Keep in mind, were all different and there are various types of acne, so what works for some may not be totally effective for all.

Bottom line, hang in there, you will get past this! Sincere best wishes and good luck.
Oh, by the way the site that helped me is:
http://www.acne-treatment-medicine-1.info

Answer 4

Some people have very sensitive skin. Stop using any product for two weeks then start again with 2.5% strength daily. Then after two weeks use it twice daily. If irritation persists, stop using the product and consult a dermatologist. If nothing happens but things didi not aggraviate, try 5% or 10% BPO strength. If nothing happens, home remedies may not be good for you.

Answer 5

Stop washing it with peroxide and give it a few days to heal, washing it with mild soap. You need to look for a product specifically for body acne. Be very careful about detergents and fabrics too, body acne can just be an exascerbated allergic reaction.

Answer 6

First off, when you shower, you should shampoo and condition first, then wash your body. If you're not doing it in this order, you have conditioner clogging your pores and this is easily resolved by switching the order of things. If that's not the problem, try rubbing a cotton round soaked with rubbing alcohol on your neck and chest as soon as you get home from school/work/etc. and dabbing with neosporin (the cream, not the ointment) and repeat this before you go to bed.

Answer 7

Well it could be a few things....you may be allergic to it or you could be using it too often...it is very drying. Try to cut down on how often you use it and stick with one product at a time. If the rash doesn't go away or gets worse stop using it all together and speak with your doctor. Take care and I hope this helps!

Answer 8

I wash with peroxide and never had that problem. Maybe you use it too often Try just washing with it right before bed. Try Clean and Clear's line of mild or sensitive cleansers,creams, and treatments. Nutrogena never worked for me.Good luck.

Answer 9

While it took little less than two months for me to really see a difference, my acne, blackheads and whole lot of other skin problems I had such as eczema had completely cleared! It was totally amazing...

Get Rid Of Acne Permanently?

Answer 10

You should use something else. Benzoyl peroxide dries out your skin. And dry skin makes you look old and tired.