How to Add Benzoyl Peroxide to Your Skin-Care Routine
To reduce your chances of experiencing side effects such as dryness and skin irritation, start with a lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide — typically listed on the product label with a range between 2.5 and 10 percent — and add it to your skin-care routine slowly, says Garshick. Here are some other tips to keep in mind, according to Garshick.
- Build the rest of your skin-care routine mindfully. Consider using a gentle cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils and a noncomedogenic moisturizer to help soothe the skin and keep the skin hydrated. Also, avoid using benzoyl peroxide at the same time as other harsh active ingredients like retinoids or exfoliating acids.
- Limit sun exposure and use sunscreen. Benzoyl peroxide can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
- Watch for signs your skin isn’t tolerating the ingredient well. If your skin becomes irritated, stop using benzoyl peroxide temporarily until your doctor gives you the go-ahead to resume.
Another way to decrease the risk of side effects is to start with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser, suggests Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Minneapolis. “Cleansers can work just as well as leave-on products, but cause less irritation because they are washed off,” she says. Her pro tip: After massaging your cleanser into your skin, leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing.
When to Use Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide can be used in the morning and applied at night, depending on what your doctor recommends, says Garshick. If you’ve been prescribed tretinoin, your doctor may advise alternating with benzoyl peroxide. “It’s often recommended to use tretinoin or retinol at night and benzoyl peroxide during the day, which can help lessen irritation,” says Garshick.
Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser; then apply a benzoyl peroxide treatment to the affected areas, followed by a moisturizer, says Garshick.
How Often Should You Use Benzoyl Peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide can be used daily, but if you’re first introducing it to your skin-care routine, apply it every other day to see how your skin reacts before gradually increasing usage while your skin builds tolerance, says Garshick.
Start with a low concentration once daily and to apply a noncomedogenic moisturizer, such as hyaluronic acid, to reduce the prospect of irritation, says Janniger.
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