First of all, what is benzoyl peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most effective ingredients for acne treatment. It treats inflammatory acne (so-called pimples and less black/white ones), because it kills the bacteria that causes acne. It can have side effects of irritation and peeling.
Benzoyl peroxide does not get along with many other ingredients and can neutralize them, so if you use it in an ointment or cream, be careful not to put retinoids or brightening ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, kojic acid or hydraconone in the same routine. However, there is a very famous ointment that contains benzoyl peroxide and Adeline together - Epido. Yes, it works great, Adeplin is a retinoid that goes well with benzoyl peroxide.
It is also effective when using soap, which is a gentler way to incorporate it into the routine and with less irritation.
Another amazing thing that benzoyl peroxide can do is neutralize bad body odor. You can wash the house with it and you will see the smell diminishing even in situations where you sweat a lot because it kills the bacteria that produces the smell.
I started using soap with 10% of Phenoxyl and stopped very quickly because 10% was too much for me - it dried me out, caused me irritation and redness. After a few weeks of resting from it I switched to 4% and that was right after I had a huge breakout of pimples near my lips. In less than a week the eruption calmed down completely and this time I didn't have the feeling of dryness, redness and irritation that I had from the 10%.
After the outbreak calmed down, I reduced the frequency of use to 3 times a week instead of every day, and in the meantime it is enough for me just to prevent another such outbreak. The most convenient for me to remember when to use it is only on even days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and then that way it comes out 3 times a week.
In terms of ingredients, the soap is very simple - only benzoyl peroxide, cleaning and softening ingredients, no fragrance/essential oils/alcohol. It is creamy and non-foaming.
Sometimes I also use it underarm and it works great.
All in all, I think this is an excellent soap for acne skin, but it can be problematic for very dry or very sensitive skin, and I recommend starting with 4% first and not jumping like me to 10%.
My brothers have been using another soap with benzoyl peroxide (Differin) for a little over a year now and I have seen how well this ingredient affects them and clears their acne even though they are not ready to use anything else on a regular basis. Maybe in the future I'll let them try Phenoxyl's benzoyl peroxide as well. update you what do you think?
The brand is cruelty-free 🐰❤️
Where to buy:
iHerb (discount code: BGG7944)
16 July 2022 at 01:00:00