Is Benzoyl Peroxide really that bad?
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free skin care · Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:27 pm

I read on another Forum that they banned it in Europe and they said on the Forum it was because they suspect it causes cancer. I have some from my Dermatologist and although I don't use it very often, if I am really getting broken out on my chin or have a painful pimple in my ear, the BP is the only thing that I have that works. I have had tiny tiny bumps all over my forehead and painful pimples on my chin and I tried everything healthy and natural. Nothing worked. I lived with this for 2 weeks until I finally decided to do the BP wash I have an in the morning I was 50% better. Is there a natural alternative? Do you guys think the Cancer thing is something to be worried about?

free skin care · Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:25 pm

It causes cancer???
I've just ordered two tubes of BP gel!!!

Im going to do a search for this...and would love to hear more replies from other members

free skin care · Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:47 pm

I guess if the amount and duration you use BP is not significant, I really don't think you should panic. A lot things we come in contact on daily basis can cause cancer, it's really hard to avoid all of them altogether.

free skin care · Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:47 pm

I have never heard of bp causing cancer. There is some thought that it promotes free radical damage, which I suppose could lead to cancer.

Everything causes cancer anymore, though. I've used BP for years. I would not worry about it toomuch.

free skin care · Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:54 pm

After a quick search on Google, it says that higher concentrations and long term use of it CAN cause cancer...so I guess it would be OK to use it in low concentrations

free skin care · Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:23 pm

If you google it you can find out more. I was shocked to hear this also. Here is something I copied from one site I found. I think it is like many things out there - that in high doses it might be dangerous. So they are just not considering it safe without question. Wonder if it is actually banned in Europe. I think it was just for over the counter they banned it. I don't use a high strength and the one I have is a wash so I don't think I should be worried. As long as we use sunscreen I think we are fine. At least I hope so. I just wonder if there is anything that works in the same way as an alternative. I have not found that antibacterial oils like Tea Tree oil or BHA works as well. As far as I can see the only danger is over drying and possibly prolonging the mark from the pimple. In the summer though I don't have to worry about that so much.

Benzoyl Peroxide Skin Damage

Benzoyl Peroxide Cautions: Benzoyl peroxide (BP) generates free radicals in the skin. Its effect is similar to unprotected sun exposure. The redness of the skin (erythema), caused by sun exposure and BP, are both the result of free radicals (oxidative stress) upon the skin. Repeated sun exposure or BP use generates free radicals that damage the skin's structure and cellular DNA, resulting in premature aging of the skin. The extent of the damage and aging from BP is determined by the concentration of BP, the frequency of application and the duration of its use.

Because BP generates free radicals it interferes with and slows the healing process. The red and brown marks that are a part of the acne healing process may last weeks longer when BP is a regular part of the daily regimen.

BP has been linked to cancer for a number of years and many research journal entries state "benzoyl peroxide is a free radical-generating skin tumor promoting agent." Performing a word search of the words "benzoyl peroxide cancer" in PubMed in the National Library of Medicine produces 102 articles from medical publications dealing with research aspects of BP and cancer. About two-thirds of the research supports linkage between BP and skin cancer.

"In 1995 the FDA changed benzoyl peroxide from a Category I (safe) to a Category III (safety is uncertain) ingredient and stated this action (56 FR 37622) was based on new information that raised a safety concern regarding benzoyl peroxide as a tumor promoter in mice..." Additionally the FDA charged manufacturers with the responsibility of providing this information to consumers so they could make educated decisions. Many manufacturers and product marketers have not provided this information so consumers can be advised of the potential dangers. A more complete FDA statement is at the bottom of this page, for your reference.

Use of benzoyl peroxide to control acne may involve side effects and risks that should be considered in making decisions on acne treatment. Skintactix has given particular attention to providing effective treatment with no side effects and no benzoyl peroxide.

FDA / Benzoyl Peroxide Action: February 17, 1995
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) / Department of Health and Human Services
"Topical Drug Products Containing Benzoyl Peroxide: Required Labeling"
"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing additional labeling (warning and directions) for all topically-applied acne treatment drug products containing benzoyl peroxide. The warning advises consumers to avoid unnecessary sun exposure and to use a sunscreen when using a benzoyl peroxide product to treat acne..."

"The agency classified benzoyl peroxide from its previous status Category I to Category III status. This action (56 FR 37622) was based on new information that raised a safety concern regarding benzoyl peroxide as a tumor promoter in mice and a study that reported that benzoyl peroxide has tumor initiation potential."

"FDA evaluated these data and information and determined that the studies show that benzoyl peroxide is a skin tumor promoter in more than one strain of mice as well as in hamsters. To date, topical studies (which have shown only tumor promotion) have been of short duration (about 52 weeks). Although animal data and human epidemiology data are available, the agency has determined that further studies are necessary to adequately assess the tumorigenic potential of benzoyl peroxide. These studies are currently being conducted. The agency acknowledges that it may take several years for these studies to be completed and analyzed, and for the final determination to be made on benzoyl peroxide's safety.”

free skin care · Mon Jul 02, 2007 6:41 am

I read that cosmetics companies cant sell BP in Europe but medical companies can. So I dont think its banned because I remember buying Panoxyl on this UK pharmacy website.

The Paula's Choice EU website cant sell the blemish gel/concentrate due to some kind of EU regulation and that its a cosmetic company. However, saying that I just ordered Daniel Kern's BP gel from the US without any problem.

free skin care · Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:04 am

I found BP to be VERY irritating to my skin, thank god I do much better with BHAs, although I suppose this warning is like so many other health warnings we see. In moderation it may not be so bad, but I'm glad I don't have to use it at all, it sounds scary..

free skin care · Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:28 am

If you look at MUA, there are postings that Proactive (Benzoyl Peroxide being the key ingredient) caused Vanessa Williams to look very aged. BP is a pro-oxidant. I stopped using this several years ago and started using Clindagel for my monthly zits.

free skin care · Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:45 am

I think I will leave my Proactiv BP alone for a moment....But with the exception of BHA what else can I use to help my blemish prone skin ???

free skin care · Mon Jul 02, 2007 5:11 pm

I use the B Kamins BP gel and dab it on really bad pimples as it's the only thing that will clear the bad hormonal pimples. I normally use either Astara Blue Flame Purifying Treatment (3% Salicylic Acid) or the Ice Elements acne serum. I switch back and forth between the two.

free skin care · Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:28 am

I am surprised it is this bad. I think using it in moderation with a lot of sun protection is okay (at least that is what i use to do with proactive). I found it worked really well in my teens, to get rid of blemishes. Now I can't use it because the BP makes my skin very red and flaky. I think my skin has changed over the years.

free skin care · Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:56 am

Yes I am still doing for spot treatment too. I don't see how we can harmful that way. It is drying and I find it can slow down the healing of the spot (ie have discoloration longer) but it does flatten out and dry the blemish fast. I have a painful pimple in my ear and I have been using it there too.

free skin care · Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:56 pm

I've found ACV toner to be a good substitute for BP. I hate BP's way of discoloring any fabric it comes in contact with, and all of my greens turn orange!

free skin care · Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:24 pm

lilithim wrote:

I've found ACV toner to be a good substitute for BP. I hate BP's way of discoloring any fabric it comes in contact with, and all of my greens turn orange!

What is your recipe for this and does it smell like ACV?

free skin care · Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:22 pm

mommydearest wrote:

Yes I am still doing for spot treatment too. I don't see how we can harmful that way. It is drying and I find it can slow down the healing of the spot (ie have discoloration longer) but it does flatten out and dry the blemish fast. I have a painful pimple in my ear and I have been using it there too.

I agree, it did wonders for spot treatment. I used other spot treatments before (like one from Shiseido- can't remember the name and the list goes on) but it didn't have the same quick effect. But now, there are so many things out in the market we have more choices. Now I use tea tree oil. It calms the redness and mineral makeup (with zinc oxide) helps too.

free skin care · Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:19 am

I've never heard about it before. But I think every medicine should use only when it's nescessary. That will be save for health.

free skin care · Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:13 pm

i think we should just be careful and not over apply and as some have said, make sure to use a sunscreen.

free skin care · Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:42 pm

I mean....if BP is bad , why all these company come out with that. Paula's Choice, Daniel Kern, Proactiv...even Kate Summerville just came out with a new anti-bac lotion. Anyone heard about this one ?

free skin care · Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:04 pm

My Derm also gave me BP for my acne. This stuff was bad bad bad....I was treating acne scars and hyperpigmentation and my derm did NOT tell me I couldn't mix Hydroquinone with BP. Funny thing is, SHE recommended the HQ!!

Still I used the BP on other places where I wasn't using HQ and still the spot healed faster but it turned brown and left a scar worse than if I had just left it alone.

free skin care · Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:11 am

mommydearest wrote:

Wonder if it is actually banned in Europe. I think it was just for over the counter they banned it.

That's right. Here in the Netherlands you can only buy it at the pharmacy, without prescription. Not at the drugstore though.

I've been using it for years, the 5%, a very very thin layer. It's the only (topical) thing that helps for my mild acne. Fortunatedly it never irritated my skin or made it dry.

Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:43 am

If I get a acne breakout, I'll only ever use BP as a last resort. It can't be great for your skin - after all - it's a peroxide.

Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:46 am

I'm surprised. I thought BP was supposed to be way better than (for example) SD alcohol 40. However, I personally would rather use something with a more natural astringent in it if I could. I like lemon or lime juice or witch hazel. Does EDS have anything like that?

free skin care · Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:16 pm

I will never use it because I do believe it causes free radical damage. Its just not worth the risk considering my HF device works even better, without staining my clothes and bleaching my eyebrows.

free skin care · Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:40 pm

Ava with wings wrote:

I will never use it because I do believe it causes free radical damage. Its just not worth the risk considering my HF device works even better, without staining my clothes and bleaching my eyebrows.

What's an HF device?

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