Benzoyl Peroxide Acne & Skin Care
An acne medication that has been in use for decades, benzoyl peroxide, is effective in treating mild to moderate acne. It works by reducing the
amount of bacteria on your skin that leads to acne infection. Popular acne
products that are sold over the counter, such as lotions, creams, soaps, and gels, often contain benzoyl peroxide.
Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment - How It Works
Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria known as Propionibacteria acnes, which is the culprit behind acne. Although this type of bacteria is present on just about everyone’s skin, it only causes acne problems when the sebaceous glands become clogged with sebum. Benzoyl peroxide causes the excess sebum on the skin to dry and introduces oxygen into the pores. Probionibacteria acnes cannot live in oxygenated environments.
In addition, benzoyl peroxide is very effective in ridding the pores of dead skin cells. By clearing out the pores and removing debris, benzoyl peroxide lessens the chances of pore blockage and therefore prevents breakouts.
How to Use Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment
Gently wash your face prior to applying a benzoyl peroxide acne treatment to your skin. Apply a thin layer of the treatment once or twice daily. Benzoyl peroxide is not meant to be used as a spot treatment and should be applied to all affected areas of the skin. Avoid letting the solution come into contact with your hair, clothing, towels, etc. because it may bleach them.
Use 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. Clinical studies have shown that it is just as effective as stronger benzoyl peroxide treatments yet far less irritating for the skin. The most common side effects of benzoyl peroxide treatment are dryness and flaking. You can keep these symptoms at bay by applying an oil-free moisturizer to your skin on a daily basis.
If you develop rare side effects like redness, severe flaking, burning, blistering, or other serious symptoms, discontinue treatment and consult your doctor. And if you have sensitive skin, eczema, or sunburned skin, avoid using benzoyl peroxide treatment and opt for a gentler acne medication.
Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Results
You should see your acne improve within 3 weeks of commencing treatment with benzoyl peroxide. The maximum benefits are usually apparent after 8 to 12 weeks of treatment. However, you have to apply the benzoyl peroxide at the same time each day and on a regular basis in order to maintain results. And remember: if you discontinue benzoyl peroxide treatment, your acne problems could return. Benzoyl peroxide must be used for the long-term if you want to remain acne-free.
Guide to Healthy Skin
When we think of our body's organs, we usually think of those that are internal, forgetting sometimes that our skin is actually just one of our body's many functioning organs. In fact, our skin is the largest organ of our body and has approximately 300 million skin cells which cover 21 square feet. So when you see the facts presented, it's not hard to see there is a lot of skin you have to take care of.
Skin has many essential functions which include: regulating body temperature, excreting toxins and providing protection against dehydration, infection and the environment. The most obvious function of skin is that it is your visible covering and is the first thing seen when you present yourself to the world. Because skin is such a crucial factor in our well being, it is important to realize that what you put on your skin also goes inside of your body. Basically, you want to feed your skin all natural and pure ingredients derived from plants.
Studies have shown that a small percentage, around 11% of the nearly 11,000 ingredients the FDA has discovered and found to be in body products, have been actually researched for safety standards by the cosmetics industry. So this is why you need to be very careful about what you put on your body because most of these ingredients - natural or otherwise - are being absorbed. Who wants to have mineral oil soaking into their skin?
When you choose natural skincare products, you are feeding your skin the best nutrients it needs to function adequately and are reducing the risk of exposing it to harmful substances. Being good to your skin and feeding it natural ingredients is being good to your whole entire body. One important note: don't believe everything you read, especially on product labels. A number of skincare products claim to be "all natural," but in reality, there is not one regulated standard or definition to what is truly natural in regards to body, or skin products. In many of the commercial products that are advertised as "natural," you will find only small amounts of plant-based ingredients and sometimes these "small amounts" are only mere traces of anything considered remotely "natural." Also products that tout the terms "hypoallergenic" or "fragrance-free" do not actually mean that they are free of some ingredients that could be potentially harmful.
Each time you cleanse, moisturize and put on beautifying cosmetics, you want to make sure you're feeding your skin the best products available. The next time that you are at a drugstore, check out some of the ingredients listed on your favorite personal care products. You notice that the product labels read mineral oils, harmful preservatives and artificial colors. Now, do you really think your skin is getting clean and moisturized with ingredients like these? It is best for you to choose those products that are composed of real ingredients, whole ingredients, natural ingredients that cleanse, moisturize and renew your skin.
You also want to opt for products that have fresh, natural smelling scents composed of pure essential oils. So, when looking for skin cleansers, soaps, and shower gels, go for those that have a high concentration of plant-based ingredients. Generally, products such as these not only cleanse the skin, but provide nourishment without being over drying or irritating.
Finding an effective moisturizer is easier than you thought. Plant oils are an excellent ingredient that nourishes and moisturizes the body. Using lotions or facial moisturizers that are made with plant oils will help you to get silky smooth skin the natural way! Plant-based oils can easily penetrate the skin and are usually scented with natural and pure essential oils; and as an added bonus, they have mineral, nutrients and antioxidants that help to beautify and improve the quality of your skin with consistent use.