Acne
Are You Using the Most Effective Anti-Acne Ingredients?
There are a number of acne-fighting ingredients to choose from, and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ted Lain shares the must-know information about benzoyl peroxide. From the ideal concentration to the products you can find it in, read on to learn about how benzoyl peroxide works to improve acne.
Overview
Benzoyl peroxide is a proven acne-fighting ingredient that has been used safely and effectively for decades. It works to minimize the bacteria that play a role in acne breakouts to help clear blemishes and prevent new ones from forming. Although you can find benzoyl peroxide in a wide range of concentrations and different product formulations, Dr. Lain explains why a specific level of this ingredient can help yield the best acne-clearing results without unwanted side effects.
How to choose the best acne-fighting ingredients
- Consult a dermatologist when choosing an acne treatment
- Benzoyl peroxide helps treat acne and prevent new pimples from forming
- A 4% concentration of benzoyl peroxide treats acne and allows skin to heal
Hey, everyone. This is Dr. Ted Lain. I’m a board-certified dermatologist and I’d like to talk today about the most common ingredients that are used to treat acne.
“Which ingredients are best for treating acne?”
Dr. Lain: The best ingredient for your skin really depends on your age, gender, skin type and environment. So the first thing I’d like to tell you is to work with your dermatologist to determine the right ingredient for you. But I can tell you that one of my favorite ingredients is benzoyl peroxide.
“What is benzoyl peroxide and how does it fight acne?”
Dr. Lain: Benzoyl peroxide is a tried-and-true acne-fighting ingredient. It helps kill the acne as well as exfoliate, which helps remove the debris from the skin surface to prevent the formation of blackheads and whiteheads.
“Different products advertise different percentages of benzoyl peroxide. How do I know what’s right for me?”
Dr. Lain: What’s right for most people is the 4% concentration that’s included in CeraVe’s Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser. If you have too much benzoyl peroxide, it can cause irritation. If you have too little, you may not see results. But in my experience, the 4% works on most people’s skin.