Benzoyl Peroxide is likely the most common and well known ingredient in an acne cream treatment. Benzoyl Peroxide is also found in acne gel and lotions, and in some soaps and rinses. It's typically in concentrations of 5-10%, and can cause drying and flaking of the skin.
Benzoyl Peroxide works in part by dissolving the keratin that plugs the pores, and allows the draining of the abscess. Keratin production is usually highest at the onset of puberty, because of increased testosterone production in both young men and women. The keratin forms and often plugs the pores along with excess oil, dead skin, dirt, and other sebaceous gland fluids.
Benzoyl Peroxide also is an oxidizer, killing the bacteria that cause acne vulgaris. Watch out when you use it though, because that oxidation also can cause bleaching of clothes and carpets.
How about other topical treatments?
A topical antibiotic that is commonly prescribed for acne is clindamycin, but it is interesting that a study published on PubMed Central revealed that a more natural solution works as well or better than clindamycin. The study used a vitamin B3 cream or gel, which is a topical niacinamide product.
The gel is called nicotinamide, and the PubMed article showed that 4% nicotinamide gel was comparable to 1% clindamycin in efficacy when used to treat acne vulgaris.
Because topical clindamycin, like other antimicrobials, is associated with the emergence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms, it makes nicotinamide gel a desirable alternative to treatments like clindamycin for acne.
Often Benzoyl Peroxide is combined with other topical agents to increase its effectiveness. I have seen at least one combination that includes Tea Tree Oil and salicyclic acid. This is a potent combination for fighting acne! This combination is also found in many acne blemish sticks.
Other useful topical skin treatments may include tea tree oil face washes, acne cream, ointments, and rinses. Some of them may also contain salycylic acid. Salicylic acid is often derived from the wintergreen plant, and so is sometimes considered among the natural alternatives for acne.
One of my families favorites is formulated with botanical extracts and vitamins along with salicylic acid.
This is a wonderful acne gel,
and can be used alone or with our homeopathic acne remedy and/or our our skin balancing system.
