| There are many over the counter (OTC) | | | | form of allergic dermatitis or asthmatic attacks. |
| preparations for treatment of acne. Sold as | | | | Diisopropanolamine may release carcinogenic |
| lotions, gels, creams, and cleansers, OTC products | | | | nitrosamine compounds.While, benzoyl peroxide |
| can be a precarious buy and consumers should be | | | | can be used for short-term treatment of mild |
| aware that chemicals applied to the skin can also | | | | acne in the US, its long-term use has the potential |
| be absorbed into the body. The potential adverse | | | | to damage skin. On the whole, safer options that |
| effects of chemical agents make natural skin care | | | | allow natural resolution of acne are recommended. |
| products seem more attractive.This is especially | | | | Natural alternatives to benzoyl peroxide are |
| true for skin conditions such as acne and rosacea | | | | calendula or tea tree oil (Bassett et al. 1990). |
| as harsh chemicals may only worsen matters. | | | | Psidium guajava and Juglans regia leaf extracts |
| Synthetic chemicals can induce unnecessary | | | | were found to be beneficial in treating acne |
| inflammation beyond the confines of the | | | | (Qadan et al. 2005). Granulysin peptides were also |
| sebaceous glands resulting in acne scars. | | | | found to be effective against P. acne and may |
| Additionally, some chemicals can even be | | | | form an alternative therapy against acne in future |
| absorbed into the skin and have varying levels of | | | | (McInturff et al. 2005).If acne are severe and not |
| systemic toxicity.Benzoyl peroxide, the first topical | | | | amenable to benzoyl peroxide treatment, one |
| agent for acne vulgaris, remains the most widely | | | | should consult a dermatologist for prescription |
| used OTC acne treatment in the United States. It | | | | drugs like topical retinoids (Tretinoin, Adapalene |
| is inexpensive to manufacture and widely | | | | and Tazarotene), topical antibiotics (clindamycin, |
| marketed. Benzoyl peroxide dissolves comedons | | | | erythromycin), oral isotretinoin, oral antibiotics |
| and has bactericidal effect by oxidizing proteins of | | | | (doxycycline, minocycline).References: |
| the offending microbe, P. acne (Leyden, 1997). | | | | 1. Leyden JJ (1997) Therapy for acne vulgaris. |
| Though it may be effective for mild acne, benzoyl | | | | New England Journal of Medicine 336, 1156-62. |
| peroxide is not free from adverse effects | | | | 2. Ives TJ (1992) Benzoyl peroxide, Am Pharm |
| according to the European Commission.The most | | | | NS32 (8), 33-8. |
| common adverse effect is extreme dryness and | | | | 3. Kraus AL, Munro IC, Orr JC, Binder RL, |
| premature aging of skin of skin. It can also causes | | | | LeBoeuf RA, Williams GM (1995) Benzoyl peroxide: |
| irritation, stinging, burning and peeling of skin. A | | | | an integrated human safety assessment for |
| formulation containing 2.5% benzoyl peroxide was | | | | carcinogenicity, Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 21, |
| found to have less burning and peeling of skin as | | | | 87-107. |
| compared with 5% or 10% benzoyl peroxide (Mills | | | | 4. Mills OH Jr, Kligman AM, Pochi P, Comite H |
| et al. 1986). Allergic contact dermatitis was found | | | | (1986) Comparing 2.5%, 5%, and 10% benzoyl |
| in 1-2% patients using benzoyl peroxide (Ives, | | | | peroxide on inflammatory acne vulgaris, Int J |
| 1992). It can cause bleaching of hair and | | | | Dermatol 25, 664-7. |
| clothing.Temporary skin discoloration may occur if | | | | 5. Bassett IB, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS |
| benzoyl peroxide is used with sunscreen containing | | | | (1990) A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus |
| para-amino benzoic acid (PABA). Similarly | | | | benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne. Med J |
| concomitant use of benzoyl peroxide with tretinoin | | | | Aust, 153: 455-8. |
| can lead to severe irritation of skin. Benzoyl | | | | 6. Qadan F, Thewaini AJ, Ali DA, Afifi R, |
| peroxide should not be used in pregnancy as its | | | | Elkhawad A, Matalka KZ (2005) The antimicrobial |
| safety during pregnancy is not documented. The | | | | activities of Psidium guajava and Juglans regia leaf |
| safety in breast-feeding women and children is | | | | extracts to acne- |
| also not established.In animal studies, it was has | | | | developing organisms. Am J Chin Med 33,197-204. |
| found to induce skin cancer after 1 year of use | | | | |
| (Kraus et al. 1995). Long-term studies are needed | | | | 7. McInturff JE, Wang SJ, Machleidt T, Lin TR, |
| to profile its adverse effect in humans. Benzoyl | | | | Oren A, Hertz CJ, Krutzik SR, Hart S, Zeh K, |
| peroxide has been banned for use in cosmetics | | | | Anderson DH, Gallo RL, Modlin RL, Kim J (2005) |
| by the European Union. OTC Acne treatments | | | | Granulysin-derived peptides demonstrate |
| that contain benzoyl peroxide are included in this | | | | antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects against |
| ban throughout Europe.Acne preparations made of | | | | Propionibacterium acnes. J Invest Dermatol 125, |
| benzoyl peroxide may contain various other | | | | 256-63.James Dalton is a freelance writer |
| chemical ingredients. Glycolic acid is a photo | | | | specializing in skin conditions including acne, |
| sensitizer and may be toxic to gastrointestinal | | | | rosacea, and eczema. |
| system, nervous system and kidneys. | | | | Visit for more information regarding natural skin |
| Triethanolamine can form carcinogenic nitrosamine | | | | care solutions including effective acne treatment |
| compounds on the skin or in the body after | | | | and rosacea treatment for sensitive skin. |
| absorption. It may also elicit immune reaction in | | | | |