Can benzoyl peroxide be harmful?

Question

I have a pretty great complexion, but I recently decided to start using a benzoyl peroxide soap in the shower to maybe completely clear the skin on my face. I'm aware that some individuals experience redness, dryness, etc, but are there any long term adverse reactions I should know about? Thanks for any responses.

The one I'm using is called Zapzyt. It's a 10% benzoyl peroxide bar that I'm starting to use on my face and body in the shower. I think I'm only going to use it at night because of the high strength. After I get out of the shower, I follow my normal routine, which consists of high quality products like a cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Like I said, I have a pretty nice complexion, but perhaps this one extra step will get me pimple free 100% of the time.

Answer 1

Benzoyl peroxide makes your skin more prone to sunburn so it's important to wear sunscreen.

Other than that, haven't found anything to indicate LT hazard.

Some information:
"benzoyl peroxide. Considered the most effective over-the-counter choice for a topical antibacterial agent in the treatment of blemishes (Source: Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, September-October 2000, pages 292–296). The amount of research demonstrating the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide is exhaustive and conclusive (Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, November 1999, pages 710–716). Among benzoyl peroxide's attributes is its ability to penetrate into the hair follicle to reach the bacteria that are causing the problem, and then killing them—with a low risk of irritation. It also doesn't pose the problem of bacterial resistance that some prescription topical antibacterials (antibiotics) do (Source: Dermatology, 1998, volume 196, issue 1, pages 119–125). Benzoyl peroxide solutions range in strength from 2.5% to 10%. It is best to start with less-potent concentrations, because a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide product is much less irritating than a 5% or 10% concentration, and it can be just as effective. The necessary concentration completely depends on how stubborn the strain of bacteria in your pores happens to be."
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/dictionary.asp?TYPE=SEARCH&ID=B

Related link: http://www.acne.org/bpsafety.html
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/search.aspx?stype=drug&query=benzoyl%20peroxide

Answer 2

yes use of benzoyl peroxide for long time can be harmful
it can imbalance ur skin ph and dry ur skin badly