Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are two over-the-counter treatments used to fight acne blemishes. Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial solution that kills the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria that causes inflammatory acne, according to Bella Sugar. Benzoyl peroxide can dry your skin. Salicylic acid works to encourage peeling in the skin's pores, which can be effective in reducing the appearance of blackheads. Although less drying than benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid does not kill the bacteria that can contribute to severe acne blemishes.
Step 1
Wash the skin twice daily with a gentle face wash. This helps to remove dirt, oil, makeup and other impurities that can collect on the skin during the day. Because you are going to apply spot treatments that will be drying, refrain from using a medicated cleanser, which can further dry skin.
Step 2
Apply a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment to any acne lesions that are closed over--essentially any blemish that is not a whitehead or blackhead, according to A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Apply to the blemish itself and extend the medication slightly around the blemish. While concentrations of up to 10 percent are available over the counter, a 2.5 percent solution should be sufficient to treat your blemishes and avoid excessively drying the skin, notes Bella Sugar.
Step 3
Apply a salicylic acid treatment to blackheads and whiteheads. With continued application, this treatment will help to reduce the size of the plug that is in the pore. Avoid applying this treatment with areas where you have applied benzoyl peroxide, according to Go Ask Alice, a health resource from Columbia University.
Step 4
Allow the benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid solutions to dry.
Step 5
Apply a noncomedogenic moisturizer containing a sun protection factor of 15 or higher to the areas you have treated, or the entire face if your skin is very dry. Because these applications can make you more sensitive to the sun, wearing a sunscreen-containing moisturizer can be helpful, according to Go Ask Alice. Although salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide should not cause irritation after continued use, it is still a good idea to apply a moisturizer.
Things You'll Need
- Gentle face wash
- 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide treatment
- Salicylic acid spot treatment
- Moisturizer containing SPF 15 or higher
