Summer breakouts can happen to anyone. And if you’re prone to acne, the heat and sweat, sunscreen and sun damage of a Florida summer can be that much more problematic.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments for acne breakouts if you know what you’re looking for. Before you start believing the promises made on commercials for big-name acne brands, check the ingredients list.
Today’s most effective breakout-fighting solutions aren’t a secret, and they aren’t owned by any one brand. They’re two basic chemical components called benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
What should I do if I struggle with acne and/or frequent breakouts?
It can be tempting to try to fight your breakouts at home, in private. But there can be many aspects of your skin and lifestyle that you might not be considering. You aren’t likely to stumble over the best solution on your own, and you might make your skin problems much worse.
Southwest Floridians take note: Your first step toward treating your breakouts should be to visit Bellagena’s trusted skincare studio and med spa in Bradenton, FL, where certified aestheticians can get to the root causes of your acne. Then we’ll design a personalized treatment plan and at-home skincare regimen that will work best for you.
But regardless of age, skin type, and other factors, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid will almost certainly help you with your acne issues. Here’s what they are, what they do, and why you’ll be hearing a lot about them during your skincare journey.
What causes acne breakouts?
Pores are designed to allow sweat and sebum (your body’s natural oil and water-proofing agent) to flow freely. But when something goes wrong with this system, those pores clog up, trapping sebum. And those clogged pores are also a prime spot for bacteria growth, causing infections.
Clogged pores might be caused by excessive sebum production or by dead skin cells that stick together, clogging pores rather than falling away. Additionally, bacteria on the skin can cause inflammation that then clogs pores, creating an even better environment for more bacteria to flourish.
What are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid?
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are both topical treatments that can combat multiple aspects of acne breakouts.
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is an antiseptic or antibiotic that can eliminate infection-causing bacteria. If you’re already having a breakout, benzoyl peroxide can prevent worsening infection and even speed up your healing time. Used prophylactically, benzoyl peroxide can help lower your risk of breakouts by eliminating bacteria that might irritate and inflame your pores.
Salicylic acid is the most common type Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA), which is a class of gentle, oil-soluble chemical exfoliants. Not only does salicylic acid gently remove dead skin cells, but it can penetrate clogged pores and clear away excess oils—making it an ideal solution for combatting existing acne breakouts and preventing issues from excess oil production without causing any additional redness or irritation.
How can I use benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to treat and prevent breakouts?
Both of these ingredients are available without a prescription and are used in many over-the-counter topical acne treatments, so check your products’ “active ingredients” lists.
Despite the fact that benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid perform different jobs, most people should not use them simultaneously. Especially when dealing with sensitive skin or problematic skin issues, you don’t want to risk causing more irritation. Some dermatologists and aestheticians may recommend using these two treatments on alternating days to maximize their effects with lower risk of irritation.
Additionally, these two ingredients sometimes go by other names, and it can take a lot of careful research to figure them out.
As always, the best solution is to consult with a skincare expert first. You will have a better idea of how these widespread, easy-to-find ingredients can benefit you personally, and you’ll be able to incorporate them into a healthy skincare regiment going forward.
Your Bradenton Med Spa and Skin Care Studio
If you suffer from acne and/or frequent breakouts and you’re looking for a spa in Bradenton, consider Bellagena Skin Care Studio and our staff of experienced, certified aestheticians. With our full menu of state-of-the-art skincare services—including signature facials, peels, ViPeels and ViPeel Purify, dermaplane, microneedling, red light therapy, and more—we can create a custom acne care plan to control your breakouts and return your skin to a more even, healthier look and feel.
We have acne relief at our fingertips.
