Budget Beauty: Affordable Acne Products That Work

I am blessed to NOT have acne, but my oldest daughter does have a moderate case of acne which seems to be exacerbated by stress (college). Since I’m an esthetician and somewhat fanatical about ingredients, the poor girl is always trying something new.

The most common ingredients in acne products typically address killing the bacteria that causes flare-up — P. acnes.  Those ingredients include salicylic acid, sulfur and benzoyl peroxide.

Benzoyl peroxide is the one ingredient that seems to ALWAYS work for my daughter’s acne flare-ups.  She has used over-the-counter and doctor’s formula s that utilize  salicylic acid in cleansers, toners and treatments.  However, she doesn’t get the same results as she does with benzoyl peroxide.

Most recently I stumbled upon a generic brand of benzoyl peroxide in Walmart called PanOxyl, that has cleared up her skin like nobody’s business.

She has been using the bar, PanOxyl Acne Cleansing Bar 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, $7.99 on her chest and shoulders and PanOxyl Acne Cleansing Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, $10.79 for her face.

PanOxyl gets a whopping 5 Blings! [flash http://blingingbeauty.com/5teeth.swf w=100 h=50]

Note: Severe acne may need the attention of a dermatologist or a licensed esthetician. If you suffer from acne and the subsequent hyperpigmentation, check out Kat Leverette at Urban Skin Solutions in Oakland, CA for RESULTS!

About benzoyl peroxide:
How It Works
Propionibacteria acnes, or P. acnes, are the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts. They cannot live in an aerobic (oxygen-rich) environment. Benzoyl peroxide works by introducing oxygen into the pore, thereby killing P. acnes. When the bacteria population is reduced, the number of breakouts on the skin is reduced as well.
Another factor that makes benzoyl peroxide so effective is its ability to help rid the follicle of excess dead skin cells. Clearing the pore of cellular debris will lessen the chance of pore blockages, or comedones. Because of this, benzoyl peroxide helps prevent breakouts before they start.
The use of benzoyl peroxide often must be continued, even after acne clears up. Once treatments are stopped, bacterium populations can increase and acne may return. Your dermatologist can help you determine how long to continue your benzoyl peroxide treatments.
Apply thoroughly over all areas affected by acne. Do not use just as a spot treatment. Benzoyl peroxide must be applied to all affected areas of the skin, as it works to stop pimples before they erupt.
Benzoyl peroxide may bleach hair, towels, and clothing. Take great care during and after application to avoid letting it come in contact with any of these materials. You may want to wear an old shirt if benzoyl peroxide is applied to the back or body. Let the lotion dry thoroughly after your nightly skin care treatments before getting into bed at night, to avoid bleaching your pillowcase.
Possible Side Effects

The most common side effects from benzoyl peroxide are dryness and flaking. They are generally mild and can be reduced by using an oil-free moisturizing lotion daily. Other side effects include excessive dryness and flaking, redness, and burning.