Over the counter gels, lotions, creams and soaps are available to people who need help controlling acne. Many of these topical medicines contain benzoyl peroxide.
LAWRENCE F. EICHENFIELD, MD: Benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics decrease the amount of bacteria in the skin. They stop the production of the bacteria within the sebaceous gland and the follicle. Where you knock down the bacteria, you also can decrease the production of further acne lesions.
ANNOUNCER: Benzyl peroxide can have side effects.
LAWRENCE F. EICHENFIELD, MD: There are a few percent of the population who are actually allergic to benzoyl peroxide, so they can get sort of welty or rash reactions to the medication. Also as you get to stronger version of benzoyl peroxide, you can have drying or irritation.
There are some practical aspects to using it that people should know about. It can cause bleaching, both of the skin in darker skin types, but also on towels and clothing that it comes in contact with.
ANNOUNCER: Products containing benzyl peroxide and topical antibiotics can be highly effective for people with mild to moderate acne. Topical medicines containing resorcinol and sulfur break down blackheads and whiteheads.
If the over the counter products are unsuccessful, prescription medications are the next step.
