page_title: Benzoyl peroxide
section_title: Acne treatment
hierarchical_section_title: Benzoyl peroxide / Medical uses / Acne treatment
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Eine Tube Basiron (in Deutschland als Benzaknen verkauft) von Galderma Laboratories zur Behandlung von Akne. Der Wirkstoff ist Dibenzoylperoxid. English: A tube of Basiron (also sold as Benzac) from Galderma Laboratories, used for the treatment of acne. Its active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide.
context_page_description: Benzoyl peroxide is a chemical compound with structural formula
  2, often abbreviated as (BzO)₂. Its molecule can be described as two benzoyl groups ChH
  5−C− connected by a peroxide bridge −O−O−. It is a white granular crystalline solid with a faint odour of benzaldehyde, poorly soluble in water but soluble in acetone, ethanol, and many other organic solvents.
  Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizer which is used as a medication, as a bleach and water disinfectant, and as an important industrial chemical. In specialized contexts, the name may be abbreviated as BPO.
  As a medication, Benzoyl peroxide is mostly used to treat acne, either alone or in combination with other treatments. Some versions are sold mixed with antibiotics such as clindamycin. It is on the WHO List of Essential Medicines, and, in the US, it is available as an over-the-counter and generic medication. It is also used in dentistry for teeth whitening.
  Benzoyl peroxide is also used for bleaching flour, hair, and textiles It is also used in the plastics industry.
context_section_description: Benzoyl peroxide is effective for reducing the number and severity of acne lesions. It does not induce antibiotic resistance. It may be combined with salicylic acid, sulfur, erythromycin or clindamycin (antibiotics), or adapalene (a synthetic retinoid).  Two common combination drugs include benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin and adapalene/benzoyl peroxide, an unusual formulation considering most retinoids are deactivated by peroxides. Combination products such as benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide/salicylic acid appear to be slightly more effective than benzoyl peroxide alone for the treatment of acne lesions.
  Benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment is typically applied to the affected areas in gel, cream, or liquid, in concentrations of 2.5% increasing through 5.0%, and up to 10%. No strong evidence supports the idea that higher concentrations of benzoyl peroxide are more effective than lower concentrations.
caption: Tube of a water-based 5% benzoyl peroxide preparation for the treatment of acne
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