Does benzoyl peroxide cause skin darkening?

The longer you use the benzoyl peroxide, the better your acne will get. The results with this medication build up over time. The brownish spots are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Why does benzoyl peroxide make my skin worse?

“Even at low levels, benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria and opens pores,” says Dr. Zeichner. In fact, studies show that high amounts of benzoyl peroxide (the most available is 10 percent) are more irritating but no more effective than their lower-concentrated counterparts.

Does benzoyl peroxide make skin worse before better?

During the first 3 weeks you are using benzoyl peroxide, your skin may become irritated. Also, your acne may seem to get worse before it gets better. If your skin problem has not improved within 4 to 6 weeks, check with your doctor.

Does benzoyl peroxide fade acne scars?

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the many options available for treating acne. Its enduring popularity goes beyond its availability and affordability — benzoyl peroxide can help treat inflammatory acne lesions and related scarring. It’s most helpful when used together with other treatments, such as topical retinoids.

Can I use benzoyl peroxide with retinol?

As for benzoyl peroxide and retinol, they cancel each other out. “It is not recommended to use benzoyl peroxide and retinoids together as they can literally cancel each other out rendering them less effective,” explains Dr. Marchbein.

Does retinol help acne scars?

Retinoids also help to fade acne scars by kickstarting the cell turnover rate and push dead cells out to make space for new ones.

What happens if you use too much benzoyl peroxide?

If you use too much benzoyl peroxide, your skin may become irritated. Wash off as much as you can and wait for the irritation to go away. When your skin has calmed down again, you can start using benzoyl peroxide again.

Can you use retinol with benzoyl peroxide?

Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide It is useless to use benzoyl peroxide, which is usually used to treat acne, and retinol together, says Paviol. The ingredients can cancel the positive effects of each other out and leave skin extremely dry and irritated.

Can benzoyl peroxide lighten scars?

No acne product will clear up your blemishes and scars overnight. Such is the case with benzoyl peroxide. It can take up to six weeks for new products to take full effect. If you don’t see any improvements after six weeks, consider seeing a dermatologist.

Is retinol good for acne scars?

Retinoids. Topical retinoids are another acne treatment with scar-smoothing benefits. In addition to speeding up your cell regeneration and improving your skin’s texture, retinoids can also help reduce discoloration and make scars less noticeable according to a recent review .

Does benzoyl peroxide help acne scars?