Common questions about benzoyl peroxide - Brand name: Acnecide

Benzoyl peroxide attacks the bacteria on your skin.

It also helps to unclog pores by removing dead skin to prevent blockages. This treats existing acne and may help prevent new spots.

It works best when you use it regularly.

Benzoyl peroxide usually takes about 4 weeks to start working.

It can take up to 2 to 4 months for the treatment to have its full effect.

Speak to a doctor if your skin does not improve with benzoyl peroxide, or if acne is making you feel very unhappy.

They may recommend antibiotics or stronger creams. These treatments are only available on prescription.

It's generally OK to use benzoyl peroxide for a long time, as long as you do not have any serious side effects.

When you stop using benzoyl peroxide you may find that acne comes back. You may want to keep using it to keep acne under control.

You may find that using it less often, such as once every other day, is enough to control acne.

Benzoyl peroxide is usually one of the first treatments recommended for mild to moderate acne.

However, there are other types of acne creams, lotions and gels available to buy from a pharmacy. These have different active ingredients including:

• azelaic acid cream – this attacks the bacteria on your skin. It also reduces the growth of hard skin cells which block your pores and can cause spots
• glycolic acid or lactic acid – this helps remove dead skin cells and reduce swelling (inflammation). It improves the appearance of acne scars and makes pores look smaller
• salicylic acid – this helps stop pores from becoming clogged
• sulphur (or sulfur) – this removes dead skin cells that clog pores and helps remove excess oil. It is usually combined with other active ingredients

Prescription-only treatments for acne include:

• antibiotic creams, gels, solutions or lotions (such as clindamycin) – these attack the bacteria on your skin
• antibiotic tablets or capsules (such as erythromycin or doxycycline) – these attack the bacteria on your skin
• retinol cream or gel (such as adapalene) – this affects the growth of cells which helps to unblock pores
• contraceptive pills (the combined pill, progestogen-only pill, or cyproterone with ethinylestradiol) – these affect the levels of hormones in your body. This may help to prevent oily skin which can cause spots
• isotretinoin capsules – you'll need to see a specialist doctor before you can take isotretinoin. It is very effective and works on all 4 causes of acne: oily skin, clogged pores, too much bacteria and swelling (inflammation)

Benzoyl peroxide will not stop any type of contraception from working, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.

Benzoyl peroxide will not affect your ability to drive or ride a bike.

Yes, it's OK to drink alcohol while you're using benzoyl peroxide.

There is no food or drink you need to avoid while using benzoyl peroxide.

There are some self-help tips that you may find useful for acne:

• Do not wash the affected areas of skin more than 2 times a day. Frequent washing can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse.
• Wash the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water. Very hot or cold water can make acne worse.
• Do not try to "clean out" blackheads or squeeze spots. This can make them worse and cause permanent scarring.
• Avoid using a lot of make-up or cosmetics. Use water-based products that are described on the label as non-comedogenic (this means the product is less likely to block the pores in your skin).
• Completely remove make-up before going to bed.
• If dry skin is a problem, use a fragrance-free, water-based moisturiser (emollient).
• Regular exercise cannot improve acne, but it can boost your mood and improve your self-esteem. Shower as soon as possible once you finish exercising, as sweat can irritate acne.
• Wash your hair regularly and try not to let your hair fall across your face.