Natural Solutions for Acne: Ditch Benzoyl Peroxide

What is Benzoyl Peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide is a widely used topical medication primarily used to treat acne. It belongs to the class of medications known as keratolytics, which work by unclogging pores and reducing bacteria on the skin's surface. Benzoyl peroxide is available in various formulations, including gels, creams, lotions, and washes, and is available over the counter as well as in prescription-strength formulations.

As an acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide is effective in several ways:

1. Antibacterial Properties: Benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) on the skin's surface, helping to reduce inflammation and prevent new acne lesions from forming.
2. Exfoliation: Benzoyl peroxide acts as a keratolytic agent, meaning it helps to exfoliate the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). By removing dead skin cells and excess oil (sebum), benzoyl peroxide helps to unclog pores and prevent the formation of whiteheads and blackheads.
3. Anti-inflammatory Effects: Benzoyl peroxide has mild anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce redness and swelling associated with acne lesions.

Benzoyl peroxide is available in various formulations, including gels, creams, lotions, and washes, and is typically applied directly to the affected areas of the skin once or twice daily. It is often used as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate acne and is available over the counter in strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10%. In some cases, higher concentrations may be prescribed by a healthcare provider for more severe acne.

What Does Benzoyl Peroxide Do to the Skin?

Benzoyl peroxide exerts several effects on the skin, primarily aimed at treating acne and promoting clearer, healthier skin. Here's what benzoyl peroxide does to the skin:

1. Antibacterial Action: Benzoyl peroxide effectively kills the bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) that contribute to acne development. By reducing the population of acne-causing bacteria on the skin's surface, benzoyl peroxide helps prevent new breakouts and promotes the healing of existing lesions.
2. Exfoliation: Benzoyl peroxide acts as a keratolytic agent, meaning it helps to exfoliate the skin by removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores. This exfoliating action helps prevent the formation of whiteheads and blackheads, reducing the likelihood of acne breakouts.
3. Reduction of Sebum Production: Benzoyl peroxide helps regulate the production of sebum, the skin's natural oil. By decreasing excess oiliness, benzoyl peroxide helps prevent pore blockages and the accumulation of oil, which can contribute to acne formation.
4. Anti-inflammatory Effects: Benzoyl peroxide has mild anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce redness, swelling, and inflammation associated with acne lesions. By soothing inflammation, benzoyl peroxide promotes faster healing of acne and minimizes the risk of scarring.

Benzoyl peroxide is an effective acne treatment targeting multiple factors involved in acne development. It helps kill acne-causing bacteria, unclog pores, regulate sebum production, and reduce inflammation, leading to clearer, smoother skin with regular use. However, benzoyl peroxide can also cause dryness, irritation, and peeling of the skin, especially during the initial stages of treatment. 

What are the Side Effects of Benzoyl Peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide is generally safe and well-tolerated for most people when used as directed. However, like any medication, it can cause side effects in some individuals. Common side effects of benzoyl peroxide may include:

1. Dryness: Benzoyl peroxide can cause dryness of the skin, leading to flakiness, peeling, or a feeling of tightness. This effect is more common at higher concentrations or with frequent use.
2. Irritation: Some people may experience skin irritation, redness, or itching after applying benzoyl peroxide. This irritation is typically mild and may resolve over time as the skin adjusts to the medication.
3. Burning or Stinging Sensation: Benzoyl peroxide may cause temporary burning or stinging sensation upon application, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin or open acne lesions.
4. Discoloration: Benzoyl peroxide may bleach hair, clothing, and fabrics with which it comes into contact. It's essential to allow the medication to dry completely before allowing treated areas to come into contact with textiles.
5. Allergic Reactions: In rare cases, benzoyl peroxide may cause allergic reactions, such as rash, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, seek medical attention immediately.
6. Increased Sun Sensitivity: Benzoyl peroxide may increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, leading to a greater risk of sunburn. It's essential to use sunscreen and limit sun exposure while using benzoyl peroxide to reduce the risk of sunburn and skin damage.
7. Cancer: An independent laboratory report says benzene “can form at unacceptably high levels” in both prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products, and that some products could form more than 800 times the “conditionally restricted” US Food and Drug Administration concentration limit for benzene.

Why Benzoyl Peroxide Isn’t Clearing Up Your Acne

Here are 3 reasons why benzoyl peroxide isn’t clearing up your acne.

1. Benzoyl peroxide disrupts beneficial skin bacteria, affecting skin health. 
2. Its drying effect can lead to increased oil production and worsen acne symptoms.
3. Inadequate nutrient intake may contribute to persistent acne issues.

When you have acne and breakout-prone skin, you need a topical skincare routine that’s filled with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids to help keep it clear, healthy, and balanced.

Natural Alternative to Benzoyl Peroxide

If you're seeking a natural alternative to benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment, look for a product that contains:

1. Manuka Oil: This soothing essential oil eliminates bacteria that cause breakouts, heals old scars, and aids in fresh skin growth. Manuka oil can be helpful for acne due to its potential antimicrobial properties, which can help fight off acne-causing bacteria and its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness or irritation.
2. Apple Seed Oil: Apple seed oil is primarily used in cosmetic and skincare products due to its potential benefits for the skin, hair, and overall health. It's rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, which soften the skin, increase elasticity, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Hawthorne Berry Extract: Hawthorn fruit extract is rich in natural compounds, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties. Not only can it kill harmful bacteria that cause breakouts, but it also helps prevent damage and helps reduce inflammation, redness, and signs of aging. 
4. Witch Hazel: Witch hazel has astringent properties that can help reduce oiliness and tighten pores. Apply witch hazel to the skin using a cotton pad as a toner after cleansing.
5. Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil has moisturizing properties that can help balance sebum production and reduce acne breakouts. Contrary to its name, jojoba oil isn't an oil but a waxy ester that resembles your skin's sebum. Including it in your daily routine through our No 2 Radiant Cleansing Nectar, tricks your body into thinking it's produced enough sebum, so you don't end up too oily or too dry. It's the ultimate natural oil balancer!
6. Saw Palmetto: Saw palmetto fruit extract is a natural remedy for acne due to its potential impact on hormones, particularly androgens. Saw Palmetto helps balance oil production, but it also reduces irritation and promotes collagen production.

What to Do Next? Try Averr Aglow’s Clear Skin Kit

Tired of feeling lost and confused about what you should do to get clear, smooth skin? Order the Clear Skin Kit.

The Clear Skin Kit contains products specially crafted with the perfect blend of natural ingredients that help soothe and calm red, irritated skin while clearing up breakouts. If you struggle with sensitive acne/breakout-prone skin, hormonal acne, cystic acne, or rosacea, then you’ll be happy you found this complete routine.

Please understand, that results may vary, we’re not selling you a miracle product and would never try to position or state that you will get a true result in only a few days. In our clinical trials, most users found the most results at the 30-day and then the 56-day mark by sticking with our routine.

What is Averr Aglow®?

Averr means Truth. We have pioneered a revolutionary no-rinse cleansing routine specifically tailored to address problematic skin issues.

Hi, I’m Camille, founder of Averr Aglow, and I help adult women who are battling breakouts and acne get clear skin results like they have never seen before, even if nothing has worked for them in the past. 

After battling breakouts for over 16 years, trying every skincare product under the sun, and visiting countless professionals like dermatologists, nutritionists, and hormonal doctors, I finally learned why nothing seemed to work on clearing up my skin, what truly causes breakouts and acne, and EXACTLY what to do to get clear skin results – and I want to help you do the same. 

Let me help you! Read my full testimonial here.