Both antibiotics and benzoyl peroxides are given out freely by medical professionals as soon as a patient complains about blemishes (and not all blemishes are as a result of the skin condition called Acne). Antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide are both anti-bacterial, so they will have an impact on the blemish causing bacteria that live naturally on our skin. Overuse of antibiotics has led the resistant strains of bacteria throughout the body and all around the world. However benzoyl peroxide is way more irritating and drying to the skin than antibiotics…so what to do?
This article about a study (paid for by the manufacturer of the one product…so objectivity is naturally suspect) discusses 2 opposing medicated solutions for acne….both incorporate prescription only levels of Vit A (tretinoin in the 1 and adapalene in the other), but it is interesting to note that benzoyl peroxide increases skin irritation primarily by causing greater damage to the barrier function of the skin (a damaged barrier will lose more water into the atmosphere than a strong and healthy skin barrier). Water is an essential element in every cell in the body in order for it to repair and regenerate – so losing water is a bad thing when dealing with acne and acne scarring.
The important aspect of benzoyl peroxide is that it is dose-dependent…the original scientific studies showed it to be effective in a concentration of 2.5% (as used in this medical solution), but so many over the counter products use excessive amounts like 5% and 10% which just cause even more irritation…more is NOT better when you are dealing with the health and strength of your skin… Read the article.
I don’t like benzoyl peroxide on the skin at all. I don’t like the reliance on antibiotics. I prefer using a gentle cleanser, exfoliating with a alpha or beta hydroxy or a combination of the two acids (depending on whether it is teen or adult acne), using a sulphur and clay mask to deal with oily skin or problems of sebaceous cysts, hydrating and helping the skin repair itself to reduce the potential for pitting and scarring, using moisturizer only where you don’t naturally produce your own (aka that stuff we call oil is actually our natural moisturizer and is good for the skin), and wearing a mineral sunscreen every day (not a sunscreen/moisturizer combination).
For those of you who are impatient and want to use harsh medical solutions…then understand the potential consequences of what they will do to your skin. I will never support harsh treatment of your skin – it’s the only one you will ever have so treat it gently at all times….work with it rather than against it….the long term health of your skin is most important.
For more information on acne see the 2 part video at SkinCareTV.
The information provided here is not meant to diagnose or cure any medical conditions. Please see your doctor or a trained medical professional should you have any concerns.
