Significance

• The hydrogen peroxide that you buy in stores is a weak, diluted solution. A bottle of over the counter, medicinal hydrogen peroxide is approximately 97 percent water and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Higher concentrates of hydrogen peroxide may irritate the skin. It's primary use is as an antiseptic for cuts, and as a bleaching agent for hair.
  
  

Identification

• Consumers who use acne skincare products are already familiar with a form of peroxide known as benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is derived by treating hydrogen peroxide with benzoyl chloride.
  
  

Function

• When used to treat acne on the skin, hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria on the skin's surface that causes infection. These infections are what cause the raised bumps that we call pimples. Hydrogen peroxide is also high in oxygen. Oxygen gets deep into the pores of the skin and creates an environment that bacteria can't live in. Finally, hydrogen peroxide has a drying effect on the skin's surface. As the surface layer of skin dries, the dead skin sloughs away, taking bacteria and dirt that clogs pores with it.
  
  

Time Frame

• Hydrogen peroxide is meant to be used for short-term acne treatment. Better treatments exist for the long-term control of acne. Acne can be controlled long-term through dietary and exercise modifications, strengthening the immune system and regularly cleansing your face with a cleanser formulated for acne control.
  
  

Warning

• Hydrogen peroxide contains strong bleaching elements. For this reason, some individuals use hydrogen peroxide to bleach their hair. Long-term use of hydrogen peroxide to treat acne can cause lightening of the eyebrows or hair surrounding the face. When treating your acne, it is best to pull your hair back and avoid the eyebrow area.
  
  

Considerations

• Although hydrogen peroxide can help to control acne, it also has a drying effect that can lead your skin to produce more oil in an effort to compensate for the loss of moisture. To avoid this, it is best to use peroxide as a toner. A toner should be incorporated into a skincare regimen that also involves using a cleanser and moisturizer. Hydrogen peroxide can be applied with a cotton ball or swab after cleansing but before applying moisturizer.