Do a little digging around into the subject of acne control products, you’ll see that benzoyl peroxide is one of the most popular and effective around. You’ll also soon discover that it’s a product that comes in a range of different strengths – ranging from 2.5% to 4% to 10%. Benzoyl peroxide 10% is the highest level you can get, and it’s designed for more severe cases of acne.
While many of these products come with a caution to be careful when you first start using them because of the possible excessive side effects, there are occasions when what you’re using isn’t strong enough. It’s not good to use either a product that’s too strong or too weak, so here we look at how to spot when your BP wash isn’t quite up to the job.
Five Signs that Benzoyl Peroxide 10% is For You
If you’re in need of benzoyl peroxide 10%, rather than the strength you’re using, there should be some pretty noticeable signs that that’s the case. Let’s dive into those now.
Sign #1 – Your Acne Isn’t Improving
Benzoyl peroxide washes are designed to gradually improve the condition of your skin and the regularity of your breakouts. If your current strength is not reducing the frequency or severity of breakouts over several weeks, it might be an indication to consider a stronger formulation.
Sign #2 – Your Acne Comes Back Due to Tolerance
Over time, your skin may adapt to the strength of benzoyl peroxide you’re using. If you happen to observe that your regular BP product is less effective than it used to be, a stronger version might be required for you to improve your skin’s condition.
Sign #3 – Your Dermatologist Tells You to Switch
Maybe this is a slightly obvious one, but if a healthcare professional such as your dermatologist suggests a higher strength based on their assessment of your skin, it’s advisable to follow their guidance and do make the switch. Experts tend to know what they’re talking about.
Sign #4 – Virtually No Side Effects
While you don’t generally want to have side effects with any product you use on your skin, with BP wash, a little irritation or redness is actually a sign that the product is working. If you’re getting little to no side effects at all, it’s likely that you should be using a higher concentration of benzoyl peroxide.
Sign #5 – A Plateau in Improvement
If you start off getting good results at the beginning, but those benefits have not gotten any better, it might be that the effects have plateaued. If that’s the case, you’re most probably going to need to move up to a stronger concentration to again see the ongoing benefits of BP wash.
Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Isn’t For Everyone, But It Could Be For You
If you’re experiencing any of the above, there’s a very good chance that you could benefit from going up in concentration on your BP products. That said, it’s not a decision you should make lightly, as there’s always the spectre of irritation, peeling and redness lurking around the corner if you overdo things.
Increasing the strength of benzoyl peroxide should be a carefully considered decision, ideally made in consultation with a dermatologist, as higher strengths can also increase the risk of side effects.
