Across the acne world, millions of people have something of a love/hate relationship with the powerful product that is benzoyl peroxide 10%. They love the effect that it provides but hate the accompanying dry skin and mild irritation that it brings. It’s something that most people go through at some point when using the product.
It varies from person to person, so while one person may get a moderate reaction from a weaker product (2.5%), but another person may be completely fine with the highest strength (10%). So, where is the line between regular irritation and a reaction you should be concerned about?
What Happens When Benzoyl Peroxide 10% is Too Strong?
As perhaps the most popular over-the-counter option for acne, it’s available in a 2.5% strength, a 4% strength and a 10%. If it so happens that your skin is too delicate for a benzoyl peroxide 10% product, then you’re likely to experience the following symptoms:
Dry Skin – as we said, this is pretty normal after using BP products and is actually a sign that it’s working. Usually, a spot of moisturizer will be enough to counteract the opcritic problem, but if it’s not responding, no matter how much you lather it on, 10% may be too strong for you.
Flaking & Peeling – again, if it’s mild, it’s very normal. This is usually at its worst when you first start using the product – for a couple of weeks at most. If it abates after around 14 days, then it’s nothing to worry about, but if it persists or worsens, you probably need to drop the concentration.
Inflammation – another common skin issue with BP washes, in particular, is inflammation, which essentially causes your skin to swell and get redder. Again, if the severity is low, then keep using it, but if it starts to become overly tender for more than a couple of hours – it’s probably too strong.
Itching, Stinging & Burning – benzoyl peroxide is an acid-based compound, so a little stinging and a very light burning sensation is perfectly normal. Even afterwards, you might get a little stinging after you’ve finished using it, but it should abate after a few minutes. If it doesn’t, it’s not a good sign.
A small number of people will be allergic to benzoyl peroxide. Some studies have shown that around 1 in 20 might have an allergic reaction, but the reality is quite a bit lower than that. Even so, it’s vital that you do a patch test before you use the product – as it will give you a lot of naamagazines pointers.
Patch Testing is Essential When using Benzoyl Peroxide 10%
The watchword when using benzoyl peroxide of any strength is caution. The product is known for its efficacy, but it needs to be treated with respect, which means starting on one of the lower concentrations first and seeing how you fare.
Try this for a few days, and then if things go well, you can work up if needed. Ironically, if you don’t feel any kind of itch or burn after using the product, it might be that 2.5% isn’t strong enough. You see, it’s all about balance. Just a few days of trial and error should see you right.
Obviously, if you have a bad reaction, stop immediately and head to your local doctor or dermatologist, but if what you experience is mild, just listen to your skin, and it will tell you where that sweet spot is. Once you’ve found it, you’re that much closer to the clearer skin you’ve been lazydadreviews looking for.
