Yes, you can (and should!) use benzoyl peroxide and hyaluronic acid together.
Benzoyl peroxide is an effective treatment for acne prone skin, but it can also cause side effects of dryness and skin irritation.
These side effects can lead to a disrupted skin barrier and discomfort. Because your body responds to a disrupted skin barrier by overproducing sebum, this process can actually make your acne breakouts worse.
Therefore, you should always follow up benzoyl peroxide with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and moisturizer.
This article will explain everything you need to know about benzoyl peroxide, hyaluronic acid, and how to use them together.
Benzoyl Peroxide
This is one of the best skincare ingredients you can use to treat facial and body acne.
Ideal for oily skin types, benzoyl peroxide works by killing off acne causing bacteria. It is generally considered to be a stronger acne treatment than beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid and might not be suitable for people with sensitive skin.
You can add benzoyl peroxide into your skincare routine in the form a cleanser or a leave-on gel.
Hyaluronic Acid
This is a great ingredient to add into your skincare routine to keep your skin hydrated.
While hyaluronic acid won’t directly treat acne, it can help keep your skin barrier intact which will prevent your body from overproducing sebum.
You will typically find this ingredient in serums and moisturizers along with similar humectants like glycerin and sodium PCA.
Benefits of Benzoyl Peroxide and Hyaluronic Acid
Both skincare products have benefits for oily and combination skin types.
For example, benzoyl peroxide products are great for treating acne and turning over dead skin cells. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid serum can provide hydration back into the top layer of skin.
This process will indirectly address acne by improving your skin elasticity and supporting your natural skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid can also provide a mild plumping effect and temporarily fill in fine lines and wrinkles.
Can you use benzoyl peroxide and hyaluronic acid together?
Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide and hyaluronic acid together.
Benzoyl peroxide is a particularly strong active ingredient that can lead to dryness and dehydrated skin. By pairing hyaluronic acid with it, you can reduce your chances of developing irritation.
How to Use Benzoyl Peroxide and Hyaluronic Acid Together
To use benzoyl peroxide and hyaluronic acid together, first decide which skincare products you are going to use.
For example, if you have a drier skin type, you’ll probably want to use a gentle benzoyl peroxide cleanser. If you have an oilier skin type, you may want to choose a leave-on benzoyl peroxide treatment.
Then decide how you’re going to get hyaluronic acid, whether through serums or moisturizers.
Once you’ve decided that, follow these general steps:
Wash your face with a cleanser
Apply acne treatment (optional if using a leave-on benzoyl peroxide product)
Wait 1-2 minutes for it to absorb
Apply hydrating serum (optional if using a hyaluronic acid serum)
Layer your moisturizer on top
You can also consider finishing off with a facial oil to seal everything in if you have particularly dry skin.
What to Avoid Mixing with Benzoyl Peroxide
Depending on the sensitivity of your skin type, you may want to avoid layering benzoyl peroxide products with active ingredients like:
Vitamin C
Alpha hydroxy acids
Adapalene
That being said, everyone’s skin is different. I can tolerate using adapalene after 4% PanOxyl, but you might not be able to.
Be sure to experiment to figure out what works for you and watch out for signs of irritation such as redness and flaking skin.
Summary: can you mix benzoyl peroxide and hyaluronic acid?
Yes, you can mix benzoyl peroxide and hyaluronic acid.
To avoid the drying side effect of benzoyl peroxide, you can use hyaluronic acid in the form of a serum or moisturizer.
Overall, these two ingredients fit well into any skincare routine and work well together.
