Benzoyl peroxide works by peeling away the skin to get rid of dead skin cells, excessive oil, and bacteria that may be trapped underneath. In a 2018 study, researchers found that a 2% salicylic acid product was just as effective at reducing acne as a more traditional benzoyl peroxide and adapalene treatment over 28 days. However, as this was a pilot study, researchers need to carry out larger trials to verify the results. Vitamin A may help treat acne by reducing inflammation, cell damage, and redness. Learn more about its effectiveness and uses in this article. READ MORE

To make sure that this is the right treatment for you, before you start using benzoyl peroxide it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows: Although the ingredients sound promising as an acne treatment, Dr. Laftah explained that there is a misconception that antiseptic ingredients will help to reduce bacteria and inflammation associated with acne, which isn't always the case. The reason the cream works so well as a nappy rash cream is because of the soothing skin barrier repair ingredient of lanolin, which can unfortunately be highly comedogenic (meaning it can clog pores) for those with acne. As an emollient cream (thanks to its inclusion of lanolin), Sudocrem primarily helps to soften the skin, but it's got a handful of other ingredients that have their uses, too. Other ingredients that make up Sudocrem are: zinc oxide (an astringent), benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate (known for healing properties), and benzyl alcohol (acting as an antibacterial). "Whilst there is some limited evidence that oral zinc supplements may help reduce acne inflammation, unfortunately Sudocrem — which contains a small percentage of zinc oxide in a cream formula — will not help treat acne," said Dr. Laftah. Some of these ingredients are antibacterial, while others reduce general skin inflammation. However, researchers need to carry out more studies to better understand how they work and how effective they are.Benzoyl peroxide comes in the form of many acne treatment products. It’s important to select the right one for your skin care concern as well as preference. Doctors prescribe topical antibiotics for mild, moderate, or severe acne, and they work by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation. Benzoyl peroxide is known for staining clothing and hair. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after each use. Why It's Worth It: You'll find the usual suspects in this cream, including salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and niacinamide. What gives it a leg up above the rest, however, is its natural green tint, which neutralizes the red tones of zits and makes them easier to conceal. (That said, you can also wear it without makeup, as the hue is relatively sheer.) I have very sensitive combination skin and this is the best moisturiser I have ever used. Non-irritating, non-greasy and doesn’t react with my skin.

Why It's Worth It: Hydrocolloid patches are popular for good reason: They stay in place for hours, ensuring that the dot's zit-zapping salicylic acid soaks into a blemish, protecting the blemish, and drawing out impurities. These 2019 Best of Beauty Award winners are also infused with aloe vera to help speed up healing and reduce redness, so your skin won't be irritated when you pull the dot off. Benzoyl peroxide can cause some people's skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than normal. Avoid strong sunlight, or use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor until you know how your skin reacts. Do not use sunbeds.It is not possible to remove a pimple overnight. However, a person can reduce the appearance of pimples by lowering inflammation in the area with ice wrapped in a cloth and applying a 2% benzoyl peroxide product to the pimple. For whiteheads, a person can apply a warm compress to the area for 10 minutes a few times a day. Continue with the treatment for at least six weeks before deciding if it is working for you or not. The most common reason for treatment failure is giving up too soon, thinking that the treatment is not working. If, however, your skin has not improved after two months then make an appointment to speak with your doctor who will advise you about other suitable preparations to try.