Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skin care routine.
Take The Skin Quiz
Benzoyl peroxide is a synthetic medication used as a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to treat acne and fight pimples.
Benzoyl peroxide is often used in acne treatments due to its antimicrobial properties. It also has a drying effect, so it is effective at minimizing oily build-up in the pores. Benzoyl peroxide penetrates deep into the pores of skin and delivers oxygen molecules that loosen any buildup of oil, dirt, or dead skin within the pores. It also kills any bacteria trapped in the pores or on the surface of the skin that could lead to acne or skin infections around minor breaks in the skin.
There aren’t many safety concerns with using benzoyl peroxide. In fact, it is listed as one of the safest and most effective medical ingredients by the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medications. However, when used on the skin, it’s drying effect can cause mild irritation and itching. Some people may discover they are allergic to benzoyl peroxide, so caution is advised when trying a new ingredient on your skin.
Healthy skin is typically described as being bright and glowing. Dull skin, on the other hand, refers to an overall unhealthy pallor – ashy, gray, or very pale yellowish. Overly dry skin can cause damage to the follicles and production of collagen and sebum, which can cause the skin to appear duller or ashy. Also, when dead skin cells don’t naturally shed properly, they clog the pores and can cause a dullness to the skin.
To prevent damage to skin cells that cause your complexion to dull, it’s best to moisturize daily and wear sunscreen. Additionally, antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals that damage cells and speed up aging. Ingredients and nutrients like vitamin C, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, green tea extract, retinol/vitamin A, coenzyme Q10, vitamin B, alpha-hydroxy acid and salicylic acid are all beneficial for preventing and reducing dullness. Hydrolyzed collagen is good for boosting the plumpness of skin and enhancing the appearance of damaged skin by restoring the overall vitality of the skin.
benzoyl peroxide may be effective for dullness, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
Next: Does jojoba oil work on bumpy skin ?