People looking to avoid the misery that is chronic acne often turn to benzoyl peroxide wash for relief – and rightly so. It’s a product that’s proven to work in the reduction and maintenance of skin that’s prone to acne. It’s why it’s so widely used by people around the globe.
However, by its very nature, if you don’t use it in a way that a) your skin can cope with and b) aligns with the manufacturer’s directions, it can irritate the skin. So, what do you do if you’re finding that the BP wash you’re using results in tender, dry and inflamed skin?
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Method #1 – Stop & Rethink
Ok, so if your benzoyl peroxide wash is leaving your face acutely red and dry, the best thing you can do is to stop using it. Not entirely, but long enough to rethink your approach. Most people do experience a little tenderness after using it, but that’s quite normal and it will pass with time.
That said, if it’s acute irritation, you might need to talk to your doctor or dermatologist before resuming. That’s because you might have an allergy or other medical reason why it’s not working for you.
Method #2 – Check For Sensitivity
Before you start using any kind of BP product on your skin, a way to ensure that you don’t experience irritation is to carry out a patch test. All that you need to do is apply a little of the BP wash over an affected area and see how things go.
You should wait up to three days to check for a reaction. If three days pass and nothing, you should be good to go.
Method #3 – Drop the BP Concentration Levels
Another reason why you might experience soreness is if the BP product you’re using is too strong. Benzoyl peroxide wash products come in a range of strengths, from 4% up to 10%. If you’re finding that a 10% product is too harsh, try some lower, like a 4% wash instead. It will do the same job, just a little slower and in a way your skin may not react to.
Method #4 – Don’t Overuse the Product
Everyone’s skin is different, so the right levels are going to vary from person to person. However, what you shouldn’t do is get impatient, as it can take weeks for meaningful results.
If you do get some improvement, stick to what you’re doing, rather than thinking “great, I’ll use it more often and speed things up!”. In this case, less is most definitely more, because overusing BP will not end well for your skin.
Method #5 – Build the Amount You Use
If you are using BP wash for the first time, the experts recommend that you build up how much you use gradually. It’s a way to ‘test the water’ in the same way a patch test might. Rather than alter the amount of product you use – which can be difficult to gauge – perhaps spread out the frequency, to begin with.
Use Benzoyl Peroxide Wash in a Controlled Way
When all is said and done, BP products are something that many acne sufferers swear by. But like any product, they need to be used properly and in a controlled manner.
So, if you are experiencing irritation, stop, think and re-approach, rather than dismissing BP products and all the benefits they offer. A simple adjustment could be all that’s stopping you from enjoying clear, unblemished skin.
It’s got to be worth a little effort to perfect, right?
