| The treatment of acne is certainly not a new | | | | this ingredient actually proves to initiate the |
| one, and the FDA has had the chance to | | | | development of tumors in the skin. As a result, |
| thoroughly review each of the active ingredients | | | | the FDA launched new studies, ones that will take |
| in most acne creams. Few people know this, but | | | | years to complete, to determine the potential |
| back in 1995, the FDA changed its category for | | | | damages that its use can cause. |
| Benzoyl Peroxide from Category I (safe) to | | | | Despite this finding by the FDA and the published |
| Category III (safety unknown). What the FDA | | | | studies of many institutions consumers continue |
| found would alarm most acne cream consumers. | | | | the use of this product with little to no knowledge |
| The active ingredients used in the majority of | | | | of the risks that they take each and every day. |
| acne creams has proven to cause significant | | | | Many consumers have been using this product for |
| concerns for consumers; some as severe as | | | | years and years without the knowledge that each |
| cancerous tumors. The chemical based Benzoyl | | | | application is as damaging to the skin as laying in |
| Peroxide is one of the most popular active | | | | direct sunlight for hours unprotected. The |
| ingredients used in the treatment of acne, yet | | | | accumulation of ingredient is almost assured to |
| very few consumers are even aware of these | | | | cause long term damage to the skin, and yet |
| decade old findings by the FDA. The author | | | | very few consumers are unaware. |
| examines the FDA findings, and what consumers | | | | There are many alternatives to this harsh |
| need to know to effectively treat their acne | | | | ingredient, ones that are not damaging long term |
| without long term health concerns. | | | | to the skin. In fact, in a recent study by Oxford |
| Studies have shown that Benzoyl Peroxide | | | | University, the popular anti inflammatory |
| generates free radicals in the skin. That's right the | | | | Resveratrol was named the number one active |
| same free radicals we are taught to defend | | | | ingredient in the treatment of acne. You many |
| against on a daily basis are actually being applied | | | | have heard of this ingredient due to its healing |
| to the skin twice daily. These free radicals can | | | | powers as displayed in a study about heart health |
| cause a number of concerns for consumers all by | | | | that was released a few years back. Resveratrol |
| themselves with the likelihood of premature aging | | | | was said to help the health of the heart and that |
| and severe wrinkling. The healing process is | | | | people who drank one glass of wine a day were |
| significantly slowed by these free radicals and the | | | | said to have improved heart health. Well it seems |
| overall health of the skin and body are of concern. | | | | that Resveratrol has many more uses than just |
| The FDA conducted a series of studies on this | | | | that as its anti aging as well as acne treatment is |
| chemical based ingredient and ultimately modified | | | | well documents. Experts advise that consumers |
| its findings until further testing. In a study dated | | | | using Benzoyl Peroxide cease at once and begin |
| February 17, 1995 the FDA changed the ranking | | | | the use of a acne cream that uses natural |
| category of Benzoyl Peroxide to a category 3 (an | | | | ingredients including Resveratrol. The all natural |
| ingredient of concern) from a previous ranking of | | | | alternatives have proven far more effective in |
| a category 1. It seems that the FDA found that | | | | clinical studies and they have absolutely no long |
| Benzoyl Peroxide that was applied to the skin of | | | | term health concerns; an important factor when |
| test mice resulted in the formation of tumors | | | | making your acne cream decision. |
| within the skin. Apparently, the long term use of | | | | |