Benzoyl Peroxide Benefits
- Kills acne-causing bacteria
- Unclogs pores
- Reduces excess oil
- Boosts other treatments
Benzoyl Peroxide Description
Among over the counter acne treatments, benzoyl peroxide is widely considered the most effective antibacterial option available. It works by releasing active oxygen on contact with skin, which is toxic to acne causing bacteria, and unlike some other treatments, it does this without contributing to antibiotic resistance. It's also able to penetrate directly into the hair follicle, reaching bacteria at the source with a relatively low risk of irritation.
You might expect an antibacterial ingredient this strong to throw off skin's microbiome, the balance of microorganisms that shapes how skin looks and functions, but research actually shows the opposite. By keeping P. acnes bacteria in check, benzoyl peroxide helps maintain that balance rather than disrupt it.
Formulas range in strength from 2.5% to 10%, and it's generally best to start low. A 2.5% concentration tends to be just as effective as 5% or 10%, with noticeably less irritation. It's also considered generally safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, since very little of it is absorbed into the body.
Benzoyl Peroxide References
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, June 2021, pages 1,316-1,323 | Matin T, Goodman MB. Benzoyl Peroxide. StatPearls Publishing, 2020 | Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, June 2017, pages 574-581 and June 2014, issue 6, pages s66-70 | American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, December 2012, issue 6, pages 357-364 | Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, October 2009, issue 15, pages 2555-2562 | Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, September 2008, issue 3, pages 170-176
Written by Elle Layne
Ingredient Ratings
Our team reviews ingredient research and uses up-to-date evidence to rate ingredients based on the categories below.
Best
Ingredients with the most rigorous and convincing evidence. These are the standouts backed by consistent findings across independent, peer reviewed clinical research.. When we call an ingredient Best, it has earned that distinction through genuine, reproducible proof that it improves skin.
Good
Reliable, well tolerated ingredients that do their job without complaint. They may not carry the headline benefits of a Best rated active, but they hydrate, stabilize a formula, or support the ingredients around them in ways that make a real difference in how a product performs and feels.
Average
Ingredients that are perfectly safe and serve a clear function, typically as an emollient, thickener, or filler, but do not offer any meaningful skin benefit beyond that basic job. Not a red flag, just not a reason to choose one product over another.
Bad/Worst
Ingredients with documented potential to irritate skin, disrupt the barrier, or trigger sensitization in some users, often synthetic fragrance, drying forms of alcohol, or certain essential oils. Not automatically a dealbreaker for every skin type, but worth knowing about before you commit to a product.