what is benzoyl peroxide?

Question

what is it for, what does it do

Answer 1

Benzoyl Peroxide is a very drying ingredient that is used in some Acne treatments. It is NOT used in most facial cleansers. It is extrememly drying and can be very irritating. It is a bleaching agent. Other common uses for benzoyl peroxide are for dying hair and whitening teeth. It is also used as a catalyst for making hard plastics. Some people are liable to suffer burning, itching, peeling and possibly swelling. One should be very careful in using any products that contain benzoyl peroxide, because it strips the natural oils from your skin. When applied to skin benzoyl peroxide has been shown to induce cancer. Not a good thing. It peels lyers of skin from your face. This can cause sunburn and premature aging.
The best way to safely prevent and treat acne is to use a product that is not going to be irritating. An exfoliating cleanser to help keep the pores from being clogged with debris (dead skin cells, makeup, oils, dirt etc. , a good deep cleansing toner and a balancing moisturizer are a must. A spot treatment is a great extra added attraction as long as it is NOT irritating.

I have met a few people who used an benzoyl peroxide system. Most of them had good results for a short while. Then their bodies started to produce more oil to make up for the oils that were being stripped, which caused the problem to blossom anew.

my advice is do not apply the benzoyl peroxide at all

Answer 2

Hello,
peroxide is a chemical in the organic peroxide family. It consists of two benzoyl groups (benzaldehyde with the H of CHO removed) joined by a peroxide group.

Benzoyl peroxide is effective in the treatment of most forms of acne. It is typically placed over the affected areas in gel or cream form, in concentrations of 2.5% increasing through the usually effective 5% to up to 10%. Research suggests that 5 and 10% concentrations are not significantly more effective than 2.5% and 2.5% is usually better tolerated.[1][2] It commonly causes initial dryness and sometimes irritation, although skin tolerance usually occurs after a week or so. A small percentage of people are much more sensitive to it and liable to suffer burning, itching, peeling and possibly swelling[3]. It is sensible to apply the lowest concentration and build up as appropriate. Once tolerance is achieved, increasing the quantity or concentration a second time and gaining tolerance at a higher level usually gives better subsequent acne clearance. Benzoyl peroxide works as a peeling agent, increasing skin turnover and clearing pores, thus reducing the bacterial count there as well as directly as an antibacterial.

Other common uses for benzoyl peroxide include dyeing hair, and as an active ingredient in teeth whitening systems. It is also used in the preparation of flour, and can be used as an initiator and catalyst for polyester thermoset resins (as an alternative to the much more hazardous methyl ethyl ketone peroxide).

Hope this helps,
Beckie

Answer 3

Benzoyl peroxide is effective in the treatment of most forms of acne. It is typically placed over the affected areas in gel or cream form, in concentrations of 2.5% increasing through the usually effective 5% to up to 10%. Research suggests that 5 and 10% concentrations are not significantly more effective than 2.5% and 2.5% is usually better tolerated.

It commonly causes initial dryness and sometimes irritation, although skin tolerance usually occurs after a week or so. A small percentage of people are much more sensitive to it and liable to suffer burning, itching, peeling and possibly swelling.It is sensible to apply the lowest concentration and build up as appropriate.

Once tolerance is achieved, increasing the quantity or concentration a second time and gaining tolerance at a higher level usually gives better subsequent acne clearance. Benzoyl peroxide works as a peeling agent, increasing skin turnover and clearing pores, thus reducing the bacterial count there as well as directly as an antibacterial.

Answer 4

Yep. Is the stuff called Panoxyl? Benzoyl Peroxide is used for acne, however it does dry out the skin, but any face moisturizer should fix that up for you. I use it, it's great. Also, if 10% is too much for you skin to handle (if it dries out your skin a lot and starts to irritate it as well), Panoxyl has 2.5% products as well. After I use 10% benzoyl peroxide, I have a moisturizer that I use on my face, and then on top of that I put sunscreen & my skin is fine. =)

Answer 5

Benzoyl peroxide is a bleaching agent found in acne medicines and over-the-counter acne treatments.

Answer 6

Its some stuff to treat pimples. I use it as spot treatment and it works great. At first it will make you face itchy but the good thing about it is you can get it at just about any drug store and its a lot cheaper then other acne treatments!

Answer 7

It's a chemical used for treating acne. I works fairly well to get rid of pimples, but if you have sensitive skin it may dry your skin or itch.

Answer 8

it's a chemical
it helps in treating acne

Answer 9

a chemical used in spot creams to prevent spots and acne.

Answer 10

its for acne... and it kills the bacteria in ur pores. its used in almost all face cleaners