Is there a more gentle alternative to Benzoyl Peroxide?

Question

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Answer 1

Salicylic acid is the primary commercial alternative for acne treatments, but it's function is a little different. Both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide increase the rate of exfoliation (which prevents pores from clogging up and helps reduce bacteria count). This is also how aspirin-based acne home remedies work; aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid.

However, Benzoyl Peroxide is also an antibacterial. Tea tree oil, which has also been recommended and is found in some skin care products is also very effective against bacteria. While pure tea tree oil can be purchased, most indications for the skin suggest dilution. Facial cleansers, toners, and spot treatments with tea tree oil are available from The Body Shop, brands like Dr. Bronner's and Burt's Bees available at natural food stores, and lots of other places.

The first time I used Proactiv Solution, which contains Benzoyl Peroxide, it made my face red, puffy, and itchy for days. This diminished with continued use and it was moderately effective against my acne, but I also felt it was too harsh. I now use a gentle cleanser that contains salicylic acid (Philosophy "Purity") or Cetaphil mixed with a little baking soda (a mechanical exfoliant) and when I get blemishes I spot treat them with Dr. Burts Blemish Stick (which contains tea tree oil). I also take cod liver oil to make sure I'm getting enough vitamin D, and if you find that your skin improves when you spend time in the sun that may help you as well, but don't take more than the daily recommended allowance.

Answer 2

Acne is a skin condition that causes spots. Most people affected by acne are aged between 12 and 25.1 However, men and women in their 30s and 40s can also suffer. There are many treatments available to help deal with the condition

Topical treatments
There are several topical treatments you may be prescribed including those listed below:

azelaic acid (Skinoren) is an alternative to benzoyl peroxide and may not make your skin as sore as benzoyl peroxide7
topical retinoids (eg Adapalene) are medicines based on vitamin A, which are rubbed into the skin once or twice a day.7 They work by encouraging the outer layer of skin to flake off
a topical antibiotic lotion applied to the skin can be used to control the P. acnes bacteria (eg Dalacin T). Treatment needs to continue for at least six months. Preparations that combine an antibiotic with other acne medication are available (eg Benzamycin which combines an antibiotic with benzoyl peroxide)7

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Answer 3

Assuming that you mean for acne, this will be a hard question to answer GOODLY(heh),

WHile it would be better if you could let us know how bads your acne is, why you think BP is too harsh, what skin type you have would help in the answer I think the best thing you can do is the that if you have really mild acne, you dont need anything.

However, the key thing is that you need to know the CONCENTRATION of the BP(benzoyl peroxide). Never use 10%, 5% for the big ones, and perferably for almost all types of acne, use 2% but apply generously, dont worry this is very gentle.

Also, to insure that you wont go dry and crack up, use moisturizer, which I assume most girls probably do.

Good Day

Answer 4

Yeah there's tons of stuff. Try Salicylic Acid. When i first started getting acne i used like Benzoyl Peroxide products and it was horrible. they would dry up my skin and make it peel. I quickly realizled that didn't work so i used "Clear Pore" it doesn't use Benzoyl Peroxide it uses Salicylic Acid and it work great. You can find it at any like CVS or something like that.

Other tips to keep your acne down. Wash 2wice daily only for a minute or less each time. Than when you splash it off... splash at least 20 times. It take a while but leaves you without dry skin or acne.
Also... Once a week leave the clear pore stuff on for five minutes as a face mask. and than use some face lotion to make sure your face doesn't dry out.

During the dry months (like winter) use lots of lotion (every day). and during the summer months use lots of face sunscreen and after you are done in the sun wash it off right away and add lotion.

All my acne went away and i havn't had any problems sence and this helps!!!

PS don't use the stuff you only put on one spot and it clears one pimple or zit. It will dry sensitive skin and leave it even worse. and also if you go to the doctors and they give you really concentrated stuff make sure you tell them about your sensitivity to Benzoyl Peroxide or anything that is strong.

PPS if you have a friend with a similar complexion as you the chances are they may have had the same problems as you. family members may have also had the same problems as you. ask the what they did.

edit: you may also have a slight allergy to it.

Answer 5

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RE:
Is there a more gentle alternative to Benzoyl Peroxide?
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Answer 6

More dilute solutions of Benzoyl Peroxide are gentler. There are 2.5% solutions of it. I think Proactiv is one, but you can search for "2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide" or any of these name brands that say 2.5:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR202086

Higher concentrations aren't found to be that much more effective, and burn your skin.

I have many allergies, and my skin is very sensitive. I would suggest using a gentle soap (like dove) then putting on the benzoyl peroxide ONLY where you are breaking out. After it dries, put on a facial lotion (it helps avoid redness and irritation). I recommend a hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores) one like Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion w/SPF 15 (especially since the peroxide makes your skin more susceptible to sunburn).

It works great. I haven't found others to be anywhere near as effective, but there are other alternatives:

Tea tree oil (melaleuca oil), Jojoba oil (alternative medicine), Salicylic acid, Azeliac acid, Glycolic acid, or Adapalene (Differin gel).

Differin is probably the most gentle that I've used, but it is expensive (about $100). It also has to be perscribed by a doctor.

The skin care regimen I described above is from:
http://www.acne.org

Answer 7

Benzoyl Peroxide has different strengths. Much of what you buy in topical acne cream is 10%. Some soap is 10% or 5%. I use a loreal acne system (similar to proactiv) which uses a 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide cream.

Check the label to see the % strength. Use a lower percentage (maybe one for sensitive skin) and use it less often if drying occurs.

You can also use salicylic acid at a 2% concentration which is found in most acne washes and in Sea Breeze and other cleansers.

Answer 8

I too was getting sick of Benzoyle Peroxide. I hated that it would bleach my cloths. A new thing that I have been doing for about a month and a half has renewed my belief that you don't have to use those harsh chemicals on your face.

Let's break the day up.
Morning:
Fill a sink with HOT water. The hotter the better. Add a good amount of Epsom Salt.

I soak my face for about 90-120 seconds coming up for breaths about every 20 seconds. Your face will feel great, and won't be oily. I then jump into a nice hot shower.

Mid day or after work/school or whenever you have time:

Do another soak same as above, at about half the time. This soak is not as important, but if your face starts getting oily this is very good too do.

At night before bed:

Same soak as morning.

Also at least every other night I do an aspirin mask. Go to the store and pick up a bottle of UNCOATED aspirin. That's very important. Pick up a container of PLAIN yogurt and a lemon.

1.I have a little bowl/cup to mix in.
2.I take less than a spoonful on yogurt and place it in the cup.
3.You'll find out you don't need much yogurt.
4.I add 7-9 aspirin to the yogurt.
5.Just let it sit a few minutes and the yogurt will dissolve the aspirin and you'll be able to mix it really easy.
6.Cut that lemon you got into 4 pieces and squeeze some juice into your mixture.
7.Mix.
8.Apply to face with small circular motions. This helps to start exfoliating. Exfoliating is aimed at unclogging a clogged pore before it moves into the pimple stage.
9.You have to figure out how long it's ok to stay on your face. I found 15 min for myself is a good amount of time. If your face hurts well then your leaving it on for too long. Moisturize your face if this happens with Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. Or something else that will not clog pores.
10.When removing the mask again use small circular motions to promote exfoliation.

Aspirin mask should also help dull your red pock marks. You can also add some honey or whatever else you would like to mix. Add anything that is good for the skin.

Yeah this is a little crazy regimen but hell my face has never looked or felt better in the last 7 years. Many other people reported a major break out around week 2-3 but after that it should be good. It took around a month for me to really start seeing the best effects. Just don't give up on it and I'm sure it can help you.

Answer 9

No, if you are talking about the 5% non-prescription stregth. (It comes in 10% and 20% but you require a prescription for it). Salicylic Acid is less irritating, but it's not as good as Benzoyl Peroxide. However, you can increase your tolerance to it, and make it less irritating by following these steps. One the first day you use Benzoyl Peroxide, apply it to your face half an hour before bedtime, then take it off before you go to bed. Each couple of days increase the duration you leave it on by half an hour. (i.e then leave it on for an hour, then an hour and half, then two hours) then take it off again before you go to bed. When you've reached four hours, you should be okay leaving it on your whole face the whole night with less irritation,

Another tip, always wear sunscreen, because benzoyl peroxide makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, resulting in a quicker burn, thus it will irritate your skin more. That's also why you want to put it on at night, versus the day where you have contact with the sun.

Answer 10

Hi,
Murad, contains salicylic acid and anti inflammatory properties.
Benzoyl Peroxide, can really be harsh for some skin types. It can actually inflame and irritate your skin. Which will make it look worse.
Murad Acne products do not contain Benzoyl Peroxide.
They have hydrating agents, anti-inflammatory ingredients, and antioxidants
I use it and it works well. If you dry your skin out, it will just produce more oil to compensate. Which can cause more breakouts. You need to find balance with your skin.
Murad has an oil free moisturizer along with the wash, gentle exfoliating lotion that contains retinol with salicylic and glycolic acids to deep clean and reduce pore size and on a spot treatment lotion.