From the Guidelines
Benzoyl peroxide is a strongly recommended alternative treatment option to retinol for acne, according to the guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris 1. This over-the-counter medication is available in strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10% in various formulations including washes, creams, and spot treatments.
Key Points to Consider
- Start with a lower concentration (2.5%) applied once daily, preferably in the evening, to minimize irritation 1.
- After two weeks, if your skin tolerates it well, you can increase to twice daily application or move to a higher concentration if needed.
- Benzoyl peroxide works by killing acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes) and helping to remove excess oil and dead skin cells that clog pores 1.
- Unlike retinol, it has direct antibacterial properties and typically works faster, often showing improvement within days rather than weeks.
- Be aware that benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics and may cause dryness, redness, or peeling, especially during initial use.
- Using a gentle cleanser and oil-free moisturizer alongside benzoyl peroxide can help manage these side effects while maintaining its effectiveness against acne 1.
Additional Treatment Options
- Other alternative treatment options to retinol for acne include topical antibiotics, azelaic acid, and salicylic acid, although these are conditionally recommended 1.
- Oral doxycycline is also a strongly recommended option for patients with moderate to severe acne 1.
- It is essential to note that the choice of treatment should be individualized based on the patient's specific needs and medical history 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
When using this product avoid unnecessary sun exposure and use a sunscreen. skin irritation may occur, characterized by redness, burning, itching, peeling, or possibly swelling. If irritation occurs, only use one topical acne medication at a time.
An alternative treatment option to retinol for acne is benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
- Benzoyl peroxide is a topical acne medication that may cause skin irritation, so it should be used with caution 2.
- Salicylic acid is another option, but its label does not provide detailed information about its use for acne treatment 3.
From the Research
Alternative Treatment Options to Retinol for Acne
- Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a cost-effective topical drug for treating acne of grades I-II, with a mechanism of action that reduces anaerobe bacteria through strong oxidation processes 4.
- Topical antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline, can also be used to treat inflammatory acne of the papular-pustular type I-II, with a mechanism of action that is not only antibacterial but also anti-inflammatory 4, 5.
- Azelaic acid is an alternative treatment option that acts as an antimicrobial agent and can reduce comedones, making it a useful treatment for acne 4, 5.
- Salicylic acid is another alternative treatment option that has been shown to be effective in treating mild comedonal-papular acne, with a mechanism of action that exfoliates the stratum corneum and disrupts cellular junctions 6, 7.
- A combination of salicylic acid-based products has been shown to be effective in improving acne lesions, reducing personal discomfort related to acne, and improving the appearance of lesions 6.
- A novel retinoid ester in combination with salicylic acid has also been shown to be effective in treating acne, with a mechanism of action that normalizes cellular differentiation, exfoliates hydrophilic and lipophilic areas, and reduces retinoid-associated irritation 8.