Mixing together Salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide. (Can they be used together?)

Benzoyl Peroxide as a topical acne treatment

What is Benzoyl Peroxide?

Benzoyl Peroxide is a chemical agent used for many things including hair dying, teeth whitening and of course as a treatment of acne pimples and zits. Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the most effective acne treatments on the market today that come both in gel and cream forms. The concentrations vary anywhere from 2.5%, 5% to as high as 10%. Recent studies however show that there is no benefit to using gel or creams containing greater than 2.5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide. In fact, higher doses may cause more harm then good. The likely side-effects of higher doses include: dry skin, redness, itchiness, and in some cases extreme skin irritation.

Benzoyl Peroxide and other harsh acne treatments have been known to cause premature skin aging, similar to your skins reaction to repeated sun exposure or persistent acne. It has also been associated with increased risks of skin cancer. In 1995 the FDA issued warnings regarding the use of benzoyl peroxide and changed its status from safe to uncertain.

Salicylic Acid as a topical acne treatment

Salicylic acid has proven to be one of the most effective acne treatments and a safer option than benzoyl peroxide. A good alternative to benzoyl peroxide are treatment products containing salicylic acid; which are much milder, gentler and effective for removing any kind of acne including: body acne, teen acne, adult acne, chest acne and etc.

Skin experts and dermatologists often prescribe safe and effective acne fighting regimens based on Salicylic Acid containing herbal components, which are free of harsh chemicals. Depending on your skin type, you can choose between 0.5%, 1%, or 2% salicylic acid concentration, to avoid excessive skin redness or irritation. Salicylic acid also helps cut down the shedding of cells lining the follicles of the oil glands.

Is it safe to use both at the same time?

Your treatment plan could very well include both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide at the same time. However, applying both products on the same area of skin — even at different times of day — can increase your risk for excessive drying, redness, and peeling.

In order to sum up Salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide are both effective in treating acne and blackheads but we suggest not using them together, as they are two very active chemical ingredients. It is like mixing soap and chlorine together. Yes, it will obviously erase your acne, but more likely leave your skin uncomfortably dry and flaky, making it very sensitive and less defensive for sun damage, environmental toxins or free radicals, however some people find this combination safe and beneficial.

Tips: Immediately stop using Benzoyl peroxide and Salicylic acid mixed products and see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms or signs: hyperpnea, headache, lethargy, confusion, tinnitus, loss of hearing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Note: The use of salicylic acid during pregnancy and breastfeeding is unlikely to be absorbed into breast milk. However, you should not apply it to any areas of your body that might come into contact with an infant’s skin or mouth.