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Why benzoyl peroxide might be just what you’ve been missing in your skin routine!
Long for a simpler time? Us too! And even though we’ve come so far in treating acne, especially adult acne, it’s easy to sometimes overlook one of the most effective and simplest ways to treat acne – which is with benzoyl peroxide.
BP, as we often refer to benzoyl peroxide, is far from a new ingredient – so it might not be hitting all your news feeds, but you must give BP its flowers. Modern life is all about new products with fancy packaging, the skin biome, and internal acne triggers – and while there’s a lot to unpack there, BP is the clear choice for getting clear fast.
How does BP work?
BP is a topical agent that releases oxygen into the pores and kills acne-causing bacteria, which makes it antibacterial. It also causes the flaking and peeling of dead skin, which makes it keratinolytic. Both bacteria and dead skin cause acne. This means BP works not only on active acne, but also prevents future acne. Even if you only break out with hormone fluctuations, from stress, or if you eat the cheesecake, you should still use BP daily because being acne-prone is a way of life and BP is your BFF.
Who should use BP?
Everyone with any severity or grade of acne from blackheads to cysts can refine their skin with BP. While BP's only purpose is treating and preventing acne, it’s important to remember that a clogged pore is technically considered acne, and left untreated, clogged pores and mild breakouts can often turn into more acne lesions. BP is the sword that slays acne bacteria.
What’s not to love?
Since BP peels impactions out of the pores, it can mean a bit of irritated, flaking, dehydrated, peeling skin at times. But starting BP “low and slow” – think in short increments, skipping applications, rinsing off leave-on BP treatments, and gradually increasing the time you leave it on – can be great ways to make it work for you. While no one loves to be itchy and dry, that is temporary, and there are workarounds. Less than 1% of people are actually allergic to BP, so it’s pretty darn universal – but for those with more sensitive skin, it can be just a little more challenging in the beginning.
The 90s were a simpler time with great fashion and no social media to confuse us. Best of all, the 90s are when Dr. Fulton created Vivant Pharmaceuticals (now known as Vivant Skincare), which made acne care accessible for everyone! One of the many reasons we will always celebrate Dr. Fulton is because he was the first to stabilize benzoyl peroxide in water-based gel form, and his cleansers and topical gel will always be at the top of our list! BP might be old, but it is unbeaten.