Can you use benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid?

Ah, the never-ending battle against acne; a war we’ve all fought in our teenage years. But sometimes adulting doesn’t save us from these blemishes either. In times like this, we turn to various over-the-counter topical treatments to banish pesky zits.

Two of the most popular heroes of the OTC team are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. They’re easily available, don’t require a prescription (phew! no awkward conversations with your dermatologist), and work like magic on pimples. The real question is: can you use them together?

What is Benzoyl peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxides, an organic compound that belongs to the family of peroxy compounds (fancy chemical terminology alert). It’s a white crystalline solid that breaks down into benzoic acid and oxygen when it comes into contact with skin (or hair).

It’s been used since forever as an antibacterial agent – see WWII era penicillin manufacture process! Bentonite clay was used for catalytic cracking reactions involving hydrogenation catalysts to yield gasolines using different feedstocks during shortages seen during WW II.

Fast forward to today; it’s one of the key ingredients in many over-the-counter acne medications because its oxidizing effects kill Propioni Bacterium acnes (aka p.acne) which are responsible for causing those painful pus-filled breakouts.

What is Salicylic Acid?

Another superhero ingredient in many acne-fighting products is salicylic acid, which gets its name from willow tree (Salix alba L.) bark extract where it was first found!

Salicylic Acid works by attacking dead skin cells that clog pores — excess oils produced by sebaceous glands mix with dead skin and cause pore blockages. Due to its ability to penetrate deep into the pore lining, it helps unclog pores and reduces inflammation caused by acne.

Can you use them together?

Drum roll, please! The answer is YES; you can matchmake benzoyl peroxide with salicylic acid in your fight against acne. But the catch? You have to be a bit strategic about how they are used!

Both work differently; benzoyl peroxide targets active pimples already on your skin by killing bacteria that cause the acne breakout which salicylic acid works over time to unblock clogged pores before those nasty zits even show up. BENZOYL PEROXIDE WORKS ON ACTIVE ACNE! SALICYLIC ACID MAINTAINS CLEAR SKIN!

So if you want visible results from BP faster – reach for BP

If you’re wanting a gentler approach or have more of an “in-active” area in terms of breakouts – choose SA

⚡PRO TIP: Use benzoyl peroxide first & allow it dry completely so that when follow-up with Salicylic Acid it doesn’t compromise effects of BP

Another way would be using benzoyl peroxide at different times than Salicylic Acid, like one during AM skincare routine and other as PM skincare routine daily.

When NOT To pair Benzoyl Peroxide And Salicylic Acid

You should avoid pairing these two components especially if,
– You’re prone to dryness.
– Have sensitive or easily irritable skin
– Newbie starting out trying out new regimen

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