Benzoyl Peroxide

Products

Benzoyl peroxide is commercially available as gel, lotion, and skin wash emulsion alone or in combination with other active ingredients (e.g., Benzac, Lubexyl), among others.

Structure and properties

Benzoyl peroxide (C14H10O4, Mr = 242.2 g/mol) is a lipophilic organic peroxide consisting of two molecules of benzoic acid. It exists as a white crystalline powder that is very slightly soluble in water. Caution: as a pure substance, benzoyl peroxide is explosive, for example, when heated.

Effect

Benzoyl peroxide (ATC D10AE01) has antimicrobial, antiseborrheic, comedolytic, bleaching, anti-inflammatory, and keratolytic properties. The effects are based on the release of reactive oxygen. Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing agent that penetrates well into the skin due to its lipophilic properties. There it is metabolized to benzoic acid.

Indication

For the treatment of all forms of common acne (acne vulgaris) on the face and trunk.

Dosage

According to the package leaflet. The drug is usually applied thinly to the areas of skin to be treated once or twice a day at most, after cleansing the skin.

  • Dry the skin well after cleansing.
  • Treatment should start once a day to test tolerance.
  • Benzoyl peroxide has a bleaching effect and should not come into contact with textiles or hair.
  • Contact with the eyes, lips and mucous membranes, as well as with diseased or open skin should also be avoided. If the drug nevertheless gets on these places, it should be rinsed with sufficient water.
  • UV radiation can cause additional skin irritation (sun, solarium).
  • The duration of treatment is several weeks to months.

Contraindications

Benzoyl peroxide is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity. Full precautions can be found in the drug label.

Interactions

Other acne medications and intense UV irradiation may increase side effects.

Adverse effects

Possible adverse effects include local reactions such as redness, burning, dry skin, peeling of the skin, itching, skin irritation, stinging, hypersensitivity, and allergic contact dermatitis. However, some irritation and peeling of the skin is normal at the beginning.