Acne can hit any adolescent. This ailment typically comes up in teen years and as adolescents hit twenty, acne, in most of the cases, simply disappears. Though, acne does go away on their own after some time but quite often if it is left unattended, acne results in permanent scars. Benzoyl peroxide is a constituent compound and is found in all acne removing creams and gels.

Acne has been hitting youngsters since times immemorial. Our parents had acne in their teens, their parents also had and now our children continue to suffer from acne. Acne is a condition of skin wherein the pores get blocked with sebum secreted by sebaceous glands. During puberty, the levels of androgen secreted by glands gets increased which results in skin pores getting blocked due to formation of whiteheads and blackheads.

Benzoyl peroxide functioning.

Propionibacteria acnes bacteria popularly known as P. acnes are responsible for acne. This bacterium grows in areas which are devoid of oxygen. Main function of benzoyl peroxide is to provide aerobic atmosphere which suffocates and kills this bacteria. Once the bacteria are killed the clogged pores also get open and dead cells are removed. Benzoyl peroxide is the most proven compound used for treating acne.
 
Care to be taken.

• Once the acne subsides don’t discontinue the treatment. Let it continue for few more days.

• Start the treatment with gels and creams having only low concentration of benzoyl peroxide, probably 2.5%. Let the skin get acclimatized to this chemical. If used in higher concentration, the gels or lotions may cause dryness of skin.

• This lotion needs to be applied on the area which is completely clean and dry.

• Benzoyl peroxide solution may result in bleaching of skin, hairs or the clothes. So while applying proper care needs to be taken to ensure one does not have to suffer later on.

• Do not only apply benzoyl peroxide to the spots which are having acne and pimples. Instead the lotion or gel needs to be applied to the whole area. This helps not only in treating the existing pimples but it also ensures that new pimples do not come out.

Likely side effects.

Although the gels and lotions have benzoyl peroxide in very low concentration but in case one is allergic to this compound then one has to start with very low concentration levels. Benzoyl peroxide is known to cause dryness and flaking of skin if used in higher concentration. To take care of this problem, dermatologists often suggest that after these gels, lotions and creams have been applied follow it up by applying oil free moisturizing lotions to ward off such troubles.

In addition to benzoyl peroxide treatment, based on severity of acne there are available many other treatments right from Oral, topical, hormonal (especially in girls) which can be employed. Several hormones have been associated with acne these are androgen, progesterone, testesterone etc.