To be honest I've been very reluctant to use Benzoyl Peroxide because of horrific things I've heard about it from it being like a drug in that you need to use it forever otherwise your acne comes back to it bleaching skin and clothing. The latter is true, it has the potential to bleach your skin although it rarely happens (less than 1% of the population from my research) and it does bleach bed sheets, clothing etc if there is direct contact between the two. However I've given in after doing extensive research and finding that Benzoyl Peroxide is the gold standard in treating acne and also I had this one pimple that I tried everything on and it just wouldn't go away (picture below). I've used salicylic acid, sulfur, tea tree oil, steaming and popping (there was a head but it didn't get rid of all of it) and nothing worked, and thus I ended up purchasing Galderma Benzac AC 5%.
The blogosphere has been raving about this product although it hasn't reached Youtube yet (I should really get onto that shouldn't I) with amazing reviews on acne.org as well as makeupalley.
Why did I specifically choose Benzac and not the very well known Proactiv?
Primarily because Proactiv is unbelievably over priced in Australia, their Pore Targeting Solution of 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide retails for AUD50 for 89mls.
That's approximately 56.2 cents per ml.
Benzac costed me AUD14.69 for 50mls
which is 29.4 cents per ml. Almost 50% cheaper.
Also Galderma is a reputable pharmaceutical brand making prescription dermatological solutions as well as the very well known Cetaphil range. The fact that the Benzac was more accessible was another reason why I chose this over Proactiv as Proactiv is either only available at their counters or online. Their counters are hard to find here in Australia whereas Benzac is found at all leading pharmacies. I sound like I'm getting paid to do this don't I. I don't. I paid for this with my own money out of desperation and who knows I might bad mouth this product like crazy within the next few days.
Benzac comes in 2.5%, 5% and 10% concentrations and I chose 5% because according to certain peer reviewed studies 2.5%~5% Benzoyl Peroxide was found to be just as effective as higher concentrations and also it was recommended by the brand to start at 2.5 or 5. I chose the higher one because I had an inkling that my skin could tolerate the possible irritation. It is a water based gel that is refreshing on the skin. It has a very nice cooling affect and it isn't drying at all but keep in mind my skin has gone through a lot and it can tolerate a lot of harsh products. I don't have much else to say about the product yet as I used it for the first time today. Galderma recommends that you use it in the following way if you are new to Benzoyl Peroxide products.
1. Use a mild cleanser and clean your face.
2. Apply Benzac do affected areas
3. Wash off Benzac after 2~3 hours
4. Apply a basic moisturiser
5. If there is no irritation after 2~3 days of doing this method in the evening you may leave it on overnight from the then on
I followed the steps however I used a BHA before the Benzac as that is the way Paula Begoun recommends in her range (I don't use her BHA anymore, no reason besides that I found a cheaper one with an almost identical formula in Korea).
Ingredients ANALYSIS
Benzoyl Peroxide - Organic Compound from the peroxide family. It is one of the most important peroxides that have many applications. Yes it is in fact used as hair bleach however at much greater concentrations than in any topical applications for acne treatment
Docusate Sodium - Emulsifier, keeps everything in place. A wetting agent. Its in fact used as a stool softener increasing water absorption in the gut, does the same for skin
Disodium Edentate - Preservative. A chelator that ensures that the ingredients in the formula doesn't bind with trace elements that can severely affect the formulation. This is usually to prevent reactions from occurring with trace elements in the water used.
Poloxamer 182 - This is used as a binding agent in a way. Helps to keep things in an emulsion by reducing the surface tension of the other ingredients in the formulation. Without it the formulation would not keep together as a whole.
Carbomer 940 - Viscocity enhancer/Gelling agent. Helps to emulsify a cream or ointment.
Propylene Glycol - Humectant, draws moisture to skin. So cosmetics can withstand extreme temperature changes. Very commonly found in formulations
Acrylates Copolymer - Sort of like dimethicone (silicone) in that it creates a "barrier" for the skin. Benzac actually heavily advertises this "technology" saying it releases glycerin and absorbs excess oil however it's NOTHING SPECIAL. It has water binding properties so its just doing it's job of absorbing moisture (like Glycerin). About the sebum absorbing technology, I am very skeptical as it's their own research that was conducted and the results aren't available to the public.
Glycerol - Humectant, draws water to skin
Silicon Dioxide - Gives the product a velvety feel when it's on the skin. Not that much different in terms of role it plays as dimethicone/cyclopentasiloxane
Sodium Hydroxide - pH adjuster
Water - No harm.
Hopefully I see some improvement in my skin and that this blog post was able to aid in your devision to use Benzoyl Peroxide for acne. See you soon (finger crossed).
NONE OF THE PRODUCTS IN THIS BLOG UNLESS STATED SPECIFICALLY ARE SPONSORED. ALL PRODUCTS WERE PURCHASED WITH MY OWN FUNDS
