Yes, you can use moisturizer after benzoyl peroxide treatment such as PanOxyl.
Benzoyl peroxide is a dermatologist approved ingredient found in cleansers and acne treatment. Most people with mild to moderate acne can benefit from concentrated treatments like benzoyl peroxide in their skincare products.
This post will teach you everything you need to know about benzoyl peroxide and how to use it in your skincare routine.
Should I moisturize after benzoyl peroxide?
Yes, moisturizing should go after benzoyl peroxide in your skincare routine. Ideally, you treat your skin first by either:
Cleanse: Washing your face with a medicated cleanser
Treat: Using benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment on acne breakouts
Then, you apply moisturizer to replenish your skin with fats and protect your natural barrier.
Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment
Benzoyl peroxide is one of my personal favorite acne treatments.
I like cleansing my face with 4% PanOxyl. It has benefits like effectively killing bacteria without being too harsh on my face or causing redness.
What is Benzoyl Peroxide?
Benzoyl peroxide is an ingredient that helps clear out active acne caused by bacteria living on your skin. This bacteria thrives in an environment with:
- Sweat
- Dirt
- Excess oil
- Dead skin cells
Benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient to help kill bacteria and get your skin back on the right track. Typically, you can find it in concentrations ranging from 4 to 10% over the counter.
How does Benzoyl Peroxide work?
Benzoyl peroxide product ingredients work by killing the acne causing bacteria that lives on your skin. This bacteria is also known as cutibacterium acnes.
Without active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, the bacteria combines with sweat, dead cells, and dirt to clog pores and cause breakouts.
Using benzoyl peroxide treatment and applying moisturizer in your skin care routine can be an effective way to treat acne.
Benefits of Benzoyl Peroxide
There are many benefits when you apply BP.
Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria that otherwise clogs pores and causes acne breakouts. It can help get rid of active acne and fits easily into a skincare routine alongside other acne medications.
Plus, unlike prescription topical treatments, you can get benzoyl peroxide acne treatments affordably over the counter.
My personal favorite way to use benzoyl peroxide in skincare products is through a low concentration medicated cleanser, like Paula’s Choice 2.5% benzoyl peroxide.
Benzoyl Peroxide Side Effects
Benzoyl peroxide can make your skin super dry and cause skin irritation and severe redness. We can reduce the side effects associated with applying benzoyl peroxide by using a moisturizer.
As a general rule, it is best to moisturizer twice per day to avoid irritation.
Benzoyl Peroxide and Other Active Ingredients
Unless otherwise directed by a dermatologist, you should minimize mixing benzoyl peroxide and other active ingredients such as:
Active Ingredients
- Retinoids
- Vitamin C
- Alpha hydroxy acids
- Beta hydroxy acids
However, everyone’s skin is different. Some people may be able to tolerate these combinations.
Good Ingredients to Combine with Benzoyl Peroxide
I like applying skincare products with soothing ingredients when using benzoyl peroxide. For instance, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream has 1% colloidal oatmeal to help soothe irritation.
Plus, Paula’s Choice Redness Relief Toner also has soothing ingredients to calm irritation and protect your skin barrier.
You can also look for moisturizers with green tea. Regardless, try to stick to fragrance free skincare products as a general rule.
Alternatives to Benzoyl Peroxide
There are a bunch of acne treatments you can try if cleansing or washing with benzoyl peroxide causes too much irritation for you.
Acne Treatments
- Salicylic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Retinol↗
- Adapalene
Epiduo
You can also consider seeing a dermatologist for a prescription for something like Epiduo, which is a benzoyl peroxide and adapalene combination medication.
Epiduo is one of many spot treatments you would use just on the affected area, unlike a cleanser which you would use on your whole face.
However, you would still use moisturizers with Epiduo just like you would with a face wash.
How to Use Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment
To use benzoyl peroxide cleanser, follow these steps:
Wash your face with the cleanser
Apply a noncomedogenic moisturizer
Consider laying a facial oil on top if you have a drier skin type, like Stratia Fortify
These are not hard and fast rules though. You can always add an additional cream if you feel like your skin type needs it.
On the other hand, if you have particularly acne prone skin, you’ll want to choose the lightest products possible.
Do you apply moisturizer before or after benzoyl peroxide?
You apply moisturizer after benzoyl peroxide.
Can I apply moisturizer after benzoyl peroxide?
Yes, you can apply moisturizer after you apply benzoyl peroxide.
Concerns with Moisturizing with Benzoyl Peroxide
It’s worth noting that people with oily skin should stay away from heavier products like thicker moisturizers and creams.
Instead, opt for a lotion or a gel-based moisturizer from the Neutrogena Hydro Boost line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use moisturizer after acne treament.
Yes, benzoyl peroxide can cause dry skin.
Yes, you should moisturizer after acne treatment.
Yes, you can put moisturizer over acne medication.
Yes, you can use moisturizer after acne medication.
Acne medication goes before moisturizer.
Yes, you can if you need to reduce the strength of the acne product you’re using. However, it is generally best practice to apply acne cream before moisturizer.
No, you put moisturizer on after acne medication.
You put acne treatment on before moisturizer.
Acne cream goes before moisturizer.
Acne cream first.
