Immediately after app, benzoyl peroxide may cause irritation lasting a few minutes.
This stinging and burning sensation is typically short-term.
For chapped or peeling skin, the best choice is a hypo-allergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
It’s least likely to irritate your already tender skin.
When using topical benzoyl peroxide, moisturize first.
Let in soak in, then apply the benzoyl peroxide.
This helps buffer the medication and compensates for its drying effects.
With benzoyl peroxide cleansers or washes, first cleanse, then apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.
This helps seal in moisture.
Just use plain water to clean your skin.
Stop using all other OTC acne treatments and products for oily skin types.
Instead, be consistent and avoid gaps in treatment.
Avoid Scrubbing
Don’t venture to scrub away the peeling skin with a gritty, abrasive scrub.
It can cause more irritation and make your skin raw.
Don’t rub too hard, though.
Apply a gentle moisturizer right afterward.
If your skin is unhappy with a high-percentage product, switch to one with less benzoyl peroxide.
The amounts are listed on the label.
All benzoyl peroxide formulas will kill the bacteria that cause acne.
Studies have found that the 10% strength does not kill bacteria faster than the 5%.
If not, ask for ideas to tame the dryness.
Or you’re able to try scaling back.
As your skin gets used to it, you could bump up to a higher percentage.
Scale Back When Needed
Your skin may need a break from benzoyl peroxide at times.
This includes when it’s so dry that it’s uncomfortable.
Don’t stop using it altogether, though.
Instead, try cutting back to every other day or a couple times per week.
Once your skin feels better,slowly use more until you’re back up to the recommended dose.
It’ll get better over time.
But talk to your dermatologist if your skin is:
Your skin may be too sensitive for this medication.
Or you could have abenzoyl peroxide allergy.
In either case, you need different acne treatments.
If you might’t tolerate benzoyl peroxide, which isn’t uncommon,see your dermatologist.
Summary
Benzoyl peroxide can cause skin to become dry, red, and flaky.
When starting, use benzoyl peroxide on alternate days.
Use it more often as your skin adjusts.
Scrubbing off dry skin can cause irritation.
Instead, rub it gently with a soft washcloth and then moisturize.
If your skin needs a break, scale back usage.
Then work back up to the usual dose.
If irritation persists or gets worse, check with your healthcare provider.
Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, et al.Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
2020;3(3):CD011154.
2015;34(5 Suppl):S82-S85.
