We often hear complaints about synthetic drugs fixing one problem while causing another. This is true for benzoyl peroxide, a popular acne treatment that might also lead to premature skin aging.
Is the Risk of Premature Aging High?
Is the risk significant enough to reconsider using benzoyl peroxide? Who should use it, and who should avoid it? Let’s delve into the details.
Pros and Cons of Benzoyl Peroxide
Like other synthetic substances, benzoyl peroxide comes with both benefits and drawbacks. Understanding these can help you make an informed decision.
Pros of Benzoyl Peroxide
- Powerful Anti-Inflammatory: Benzoyl peroxide acts as a potent anti-inflammatory, clearing bacteria from your pores and controlling inflammation.
- Effective Against Acne: It quickly clears blemishes and kills acne-causing bacteria, drying out pimples and improving skin appearance rapidly.
Cons of Benzoyl Peroxide
- Dries Out the Skin: While it dries out pimples, it can also dehydrate healthy skin, causing irritation and making your skin look older. This effect can be mitigated with a moisturizer, but this may not be an option early in your acne treatment.
- Increases Sun Sensitivity: Benzoyl peroxide can reduce your skin’s natural protection, making it more sensitive to sunlight and increasing the risk of photoaging. You can counter this by avoiding sun exposure and applying the treatment when not exposed to sunlight.
- May Cause Pigmentation Issues: Some users report hyperpigmentation due to increased sun sensitivity and skin dryness.
The Ongoing Debate
Aside from the listed pros and cons, there are numerous opinions and unproven claims online. Some say benzoyl peroxide increases free radical production and damage, leading to long-term wrinkling, although long-term studies are lacking.
Wrinkling and skin aging are often exacerbated by UV damage, and benzoyl peroxide can speed up this process by reducing your skin’s UV defenses. This damage to collagen fibers leads to lost skin elasticity. On the other hand, untreated acne can result in scarring and prominent facial lines.
If you’re unsure about using benzoyl peroxide, consult your dermatologist. Discuss your concerns and follow their advice on applying acne treatment to prevent premature skin aging. Balancing the treatment of acne with the potential for skin aging is key to maintaining healthy skin.
References:
Callender, V. D., Preston, N., Osborn, C., Johnson, L., & Gottschalk, R. W. (2010). A meta-analysis to investigate the relation between Fitzpatrick skin types and tolerability of adapalene-benzoyl peroxide topical gel in subjects with mild or moderate acne. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic
dermatology, 3(8), 15