What is benzoyl peroxide in skincare?
Benzoyl peroxide is an organic peroxide used topically for acne. It releases oxygen into the follicle, which kills Cutibacterium acnes – the bacterium that drives inflammatory breakouts – and mildly loosens the plug of dead cells at the same time.
Its great advantage is that bacteria do not develop resistance to it, unlike topical antibiotics. Over-the-counter strengths run from 2.5% to 10%.
What skin concerns does benzoyl peroxide treat?
It is most effective on inflammatory acne – red papules and pustules – and less so on plain blackheads, where salicylic acid or a retinoid does more.
Trial evidence is consistent, and importantly shows 2.5% works about as well as 10% with considerably less dryness and irritation. Starting low is genuinely the better strategy, not a compromise.
What ingredients are best paired with benzoyl peroxide?
Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and squalane offset the dryness it causes. Using it as a short-contact wash – applied, left five minutes, rinsed – gives most of the benefit with far less irritation.
Keep it away from retinoids and vitamin C in the same application, since it can oxidise them; use one in the morning and the other at night. It bleaches fabric, so expect marks on towels and pillowcases. Take our Skin Quiz.
What are acne scars?
Acne scars are permanent changes in skin texture left behind after inflammatory acne damages the dermis. They fall into two families: atrophic scars, which sit below the surface as ice-pick, boxcar or rolling depressions, and hypertrophic or keloid scars, which sit raised above it.
What most people call scarring is often post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or erythema – flat brown or red marks with no texture change. Those fade on their own; true atrophic scars do not.
What causes acne scars?
Scarring happens when inflammation reaches deep enough to destroy collagen and the repair process either lays down too little (atrophic) or too much (hypertrophic). Deep nodular and cystic lesions carry the highest risk.
Delaying treatment, picking or squeezing, and prolonged inflammation all increase the odds. Genetics play a large part in who scars and how, which is why two people with identical acne can heal very differently.
What ingredients are best for acne scars?
For flat marks, ingredients that speed turnover and calm pigment work well: retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid, alpha arbutin and AHAs, with daily SPF to stop marks darkening again.
For true textural scarring, topicals can soften but not erase – retinoids and peptides help remodel collagen over months, while in-clinic options like microneedling, resurfacing and subcision do the heavy lifting. Preventing new inflammation is the highest-value step. Take our Skin Quiz.
