does Benzoyl Peroxide reall help ?

[julian14]

Hi Doctors and fellow members, I'm Julian from Philippines, I'm 14 yrs old , and I've been suffering from acne vulgaris for about 2years now , i have consulted a dermatologist for the past 11months , but i stop using her medications when my mom need to study for Nursing , we somehow lack Money , because , we spend P1,500 for the medications , so since last February 19 , 2009, i stopped using the medications , Then i was trying to find such soap bars or other soaps i can use to cure my acne , then somebody recommended using " Sulfur soaps " , the sulfur soaps , does not iritate my skin but somehow i'm depressed on the result after 1 month because , nothing happened :( , then my mom found a " Benzoyl Peroxide " on her book of medicine that can be found here in the philippines, it says there that it helps kill acne germs etc. etc. , so my mom bought the Keratolytic gel and the facial wash , I'm Curious on this product because it cause P1,000 + , and it sounded very unfamiliar to me , i searched the web for this " Benzoyl Peroxide " and I've read comments about this , and they said that this helps kill acne etc. , but i got Sad :( , when i read the 2 other comments of 1 girl and 1 boy, they said that it helps kill acne though it kills also your own cells , it also kills cebum , and causes your body to produce more cebum to replace the cebum killed by benzoyl Peroxide and it may also cause skin damage , we bought that to NOT damage my skin, Dermatologist are far from our town , that is why i came here to ask all of your suggestions ,

so please help me , i really want my normal face back :(  

[Curls12]

I am 17 and have been using benzoyl peroxide and its been working for me. Try to get a 2.5% BP , those work a lot better than 5% and the 10% ones. Also start using it once a day, then if you start seeing results then increase to twice a day and remeber, if it says stinging may occur then don't worry thats normal. Also try not to stress because that can actually make your skin worse, so try to relax and wash your face at least twice a day and drink plenty of water. Be aware that if your skin starts itching, burning, drying, or swelling, then use it only once every other day and if your skin still itches, burns, drys, or swells, then stop using using it and try to get help from a dermatologists.

[loiloi]

Benzoyl Peroxide is a first line treatment for acne and the benefits generally outweigh any potential side effects.
If you cannot tolerate this there are other topical lotions available without prescription which contain Salicylic acid or Nicotinamide.
When you have the money it would be prudent to return to prescription medicines which are more effective than those available in shops.
Eloise.