Benzoyl peroxide for acne. Does it get worse before it gets better? What foundation/moisturiser is best?

[Sunbeckons]

DD has started using benzoyl peroxide for her mild-moderate acne. She has moved onto this after using Differin for 3 months and it not appearing to have much impact. I'm not sure if she should have tried it longer. Her skin seemed to purge and then stayed the same for 6 weeks. Not as bad as when it purged but worse than when she started.

Anyway, she's started benzoyl peroxide having never tried it before. It's made her face very angry within a few days. will her skin purge already on this or is it just red and angry? How long might she need to put up with this? What can she use to soothe her face? Is there any make-up she can use? She has a front of house part time job and would ideally prefer to wear some make-up to cover up the redness.

Any advice very welcome. She's 18 and had mild acne since she was 11 - mostly bumps under the skin on her forehead. It's only in the past year it's got red and lumpier and spread.

When I was younger I went to a lot of talks on skincare and le Roche posay effacler was absolutely touted time and time again

My DD (14) has been following the acne.org regimen for the last few months and it has had a huge impact on her skin. She had acne on her chest/back and a lot of closed comedones on her forehead/cheeks. Her skin is now pretty much clear, but she is v consistent and follows the instructions to the letter.

I had Accutane as a teen, but I would prefer her to avoid it if possible.

My DS had persistent acne - not terrible, cystic outbreaks, but ongoing pustules and blackheads, especially on his cheeks. We did the OTC UK products, we did acne.org, we did Differin, we did Differin plus antibiotics. The regime that finally worked (and which the NHS had to be persuaded to prescribe, because it's more expensive, apparently) was Treclin gel, which combines tretinoin with topical antibiotics. He's just turned 23 and still gets the odd localised outbreak, but he's basically clear. It took a long time, and he has got some scarring, which could probably have been avoided if I'd gone the GP and prescription route a bit quicker, and not buggered about with expensive acne.org

There's a set of NICE guidelines on acne, OP - look 'em up, and take them along to the GP. Differin is often held up as the gold standard, but doesn't work for everyone.

Sorry, but bore off. You have no idea what you're talking about.

I cured my acne using BP for three months. It was tough and as another poster said you need to do it properly. Redness and peeling are normal side effects and don't mean you should not be using it. This is the kind of thing a dermatologist holds your hand through. After 3 months I switched to prescription azelaic acid bought from an online pharmacy and this tackles any scars and keeps skin clear.

I meant to say I got all my info from Dr Sam Bunting's channel - I recommend having a look. Lots of guidance on how to tolerate and deal with side effects from acne treatment.

I really think she needs to see her GP - and if GP hasn't been able to help ask for a dermatology referral.

BP was the only thing that worked for me aged about 40, after years of misery. Found it through acne.org. I agree, start with a mild formulation if you can get it. I paid the customs duties for the acne.org 2.5% after I moved here from the US.

i use acnecide now. At 60+, I sadly still need it.

She can use differin and BP together. Well, one am and one pm

Can I jump on with a question too? I was given Erybenz by a doctor in Greece. I believe it's BP. Not very harsh and seems to be calming things. I was given to boxes (2 months worth), but you can't buy it online and Google suggestions say it's BP. Do you get yours from the GP? I'm trying to find a British alternative but the same. If that makes sense?

That routine worked brilliantly for me in my 20s
I ended up moving onto tretinoin and my acne is gone finally

Erybenz looks like it's benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin, which is an antibiotic. Not sure I've seen that in the UK but BP & Clindamycin is probably very similar. Brand name would be Duac here, should be able to buy online, or maybe get from the GP.

I know that Dermatica where I get my skincare from only allow you to use clindamycin for a few months before making you take a break from it, as it's not ideal to use antibiotics long term, so you could try just plain benzoyl peroxide and see if you get on well with that?

100%, that site is very informative

I couldn’t use it for years but I had non inflammatory acne and used it again. You need a very very thin layer then moisturiser on top. I had a bit of purging but it cleared up fast. It’s most likely she’s used too much like I used to.

I took roaccutane too at 40 when the contraceptive implant gave me cystic acne and it cleared up so well but now I’m 47 you can tell by the texture of my skin I’ve had acne long term. I turned it down at 30 and really wish I hadn’t.

Second Acnecide (5%)

As other have said: slow introduction with short contact therapy as can be very drying.

In my 30s and still have acne. So put a thin layer on for 1/1 1/2 mins then wash off with a neutral face wash. It does bleach towels etc so have a dedicated face towel and/or hand towel.

Follow by hyaluronic acid serum on damp skin and a moisturizer if needed.

She also needs to be using an SPF after benzoyl peroxide as it increases photosensitivity.

Dd (14) tried Epiduo (basically benzl peroxide) but it absolutely killed her skin, even in small doses. We've now got the antibiotics (Lymecycline). Her acne is mild to moderate - we got rid of about 50-60% of it with a course of anti-inflammatory, anti-acne probiotics (PuraU) but the rest is being stubborn, particularly on her chin.

It has a big effect on her - she doesn't want to take part in any sport where her makeup may come off (frustrating as we live by the sea & she's really missing out) and putting on her 'face' to cover it before school takes 30 mins a day.

Epiduo contains a retinoid too which can be very harsh

I had Acne in my 30s and was prescribed Zineryt https://onlinedoctor.boots.com/treatments/zineryt, Benzoyl Peroxide and even Retin A in some form (if I am remembering rightly, as a while ago now). Zineryt really made the difference for me and it is still available. Wondering if that might help, as I had moderate Acne (if such a thing exists) and it really kicked it into touch.

I second for epiduo

Thank you. I think she started off using too much. What did your dd use instead and did it work for her?

Oh, I love the S&B boards sometimes. Thank you for the information about 'short contact therapy'. I will look into those studies. I like to understand how something is supposed to work.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Her acne has been getting worse for the past year and she has been using milder things on her skin during that time. 'mild to moderate' is a clinical description I believe. She doesn't currently have cycstic acne so it's not severe but it is still spreading over more of her face and the spots are red, rather than skin coloured under her skin in one area, which did not bother her so much. She's followed a good skincare routine from the start of secondary school and uses cerave cleanser and moisturiser.

I also had acne that needed roaccutane to clear it. It came back in my mid 20s in a stressful job and I had roaccutane again. I'd rather avoid. Up to now, DD's acne hasn't been bad at all, so I was hoping she'd skip it.

Thanks - she has always used cerave mosituriser. I would seem she could do with something a little more hydrating if it exists.

Acne.org is also what I used and the regimen is fab and inexpensive.