Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is an agent that kills bacteria through lysis of their cell membranes. For this action it is termed a bactericidal agent. In addition, it lowers free fatty acids found on the skin to halve there value after only about 2 weeks of daily treatments. Eventhough it is a poor a removing comedones (a poor comedolytic agent) it is great at prevent future ones. Benzoyl peroxide can be bought either over the counter at its lower doses, 2.5 - 5%, or through a prescription by a physician for the higher strength formulations, at 10-20%. Both work moderately well, but it is the consistency and compliance of the agents use that benefits the patient who keeps with the treatment daily.

The only common true precaution that should be provided with use of benzoly peroxide is contact sensitivity. This is seen in about 1-4% of patients using this agent, and goes away once the benzoyl peroxide is stopped.