Understanding Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a common topical medication! Over-the-counter options for it include gels, lotions, and cleansers. These products have up to ten percent benzoyl peroxide in them. However, the most common is five percent! Patients can have higher-strength products when their doctor writes them a prescription. Prescriptions often include an antibiotic, such as clindamycin. Another combination exists with adapalene! Dosages depend on the specific product a patient is using. Of course, patients need to follow their doctor's directions. Patients must call their doctor for persistent or worsening side effects.

A common treatment for acne is a clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide topical gel. This is a prescription option. However, there are many over-the-counter acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide in them. They are quite effective! Of course, patients must understand how this medication works first. This ensures that they use the best benzoyl peroxide product for their condition!

How It Works

Benzoyl peroxide works by killing certain bacteria on the skin. Specifically, it gets rid of Cutibacterium acnes! This is a major trigger for acne. The skin absorbs this medication when it is applied. As this happens, it converts into benzoic acid! Patients absorb up to five percent of this and excrete it through their kidneys as urine. The other ninety-five percent is metabolized by cysteine in the skin! The result is the oxidization of bacteria proteins.

This medication also reduces lipids, free fatty acids, and P. acnes in the skin. It stimulates the ingrowth of the epithelium and granulation tissue growth as well!

Reveal the uses for this medication ingredient next.