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Can Dryness And Patchiness On Skin Be Caused By Benzoyl Peroxide?
I've been using benzoyl peroxide for a 1 week now, my skin went from being oily to extremely dry. Under my lips is really dry and patchy, so are the edges of my nose, and under my eyes? Is this cause by the benzoyl peroxide or because it's getting cold outside?
Fri, 27 Dec 2013
Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM
Benzoyl peroxide is the most likely culprit here. It is sebostatic and can cause severe dryness
I would advice that you use a gentle cleanser like cetaphil because soaps generally cause more dryness.
If i was your treating doctor i would have asked you to withhold benzoyl peroxide for 5-7 days till the dryness and irritation subsides. I sometimes also prescribe my patients a moderately potent steroid like fluticasone for 3-5 days to resolve the dryness and irritation faster.
After the side effect subsides my patient can usually restart benzoyl peroxide within a week. I ask them to use every alternate days OR once daily instead of twice daily
take care
Benzoyl peroxide is the most likely culprit here. It is sebostatic and can cause severe dryness
I would advice that you use a gentle cleanser like cetaphil because soaps generally cause more dryness.
If i was your treating doctor i would have asked you to withhold benzoyl peroxide for 5-7 days till the dryness and irritation subsides. I sometimes also prescribe my patients a moderately potent steroid like fluticasone for 3-5 days to resolve the dryness and irritation faster.
After the side effect subsides my patient can usually restart benzoyl peroxide within a week. I ask them to use every alternate days OR once daily instead of twice daily
take care
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