27 replies to this topic

[acnedepression]

i read somewhere that benzoyl peroxide can cause skin to age faster because it dries it up and that will increase the risk of it getting wrinkles at an earlier age?!

is that true??
if so then does moisturizing after bp application prevent that from happening??

[Da Foxx]

i read somewhere that benzoyl peroxide can cause skin to age faster because it dries it up and that will increase the risk of it getting wrinkles at an earlier age?!

is that true??
if so then does moisturizing after bp application prevent that from happening??

I've read some studies on that too. I'm not sure if moisturizing does prevent that, but I believe thats the whole point.

[Eden Sin]

BP is drying and that does cause aging. Oily skin actually ages slower because it has that lipid barrier to protect and hydrate the skin. So since BP sucks up that oil and leaves skin feeling tight, I can see why BP would be linked to aging. Moisturizing should help (if you don't do so already). But of course I recommend moisturizing ALWAYS, even when you're not on a drying product. And a lot of people get confused and think that oily skin doesn't need a moisturizer. It most definitely does. Not only does a good moisturizer with a proper pH balance protect the skin from free radicals which damage skin cells and cause aging, but it will also sort of "trick" the skin into thinking it has oil on there already, thus actually helping to create a good balance and prevent that midday oil-slick. Just remember, oil-free and noncomedogenic!

[Maeday]

I've used BP for years and always followed the nightly application with a generous layer of
Aveeno moisturizer.
I'm 31 and get tons of compliments as to how young I look if someone finds out my age.
I am half-latina which may help, but have fair skin.
I believe generous moisturizer at night is a MUST with the BP regimen.

My abuelita is 84 and has ZERO wrinkles.
She'd been telling me from the time I was a little girl that
she put a heavy dose of ponds cold cream on each night before bed and slept in it for decades.
I'd never use that cold cream, but I have to believe the heavy moisturizer worked for her
because she is wrinkle free and her living siblings are not so lucky.

Aveeno's Positively Radiant seems to be the best I've found. It doesn't break me out
and contains ingredients I am familiar and comfortable with.
The soy in it helps hyper pigmentation disappear quickly too.

[Emilion]

It does cause aging. I have noticed that on my skin. It has also caused my skin to create spider-vessels (smal red dots). I won't use BP anymore.

[truckg]

Any new information about whether BP can cause premature aging? It's the only topical that works well for me, and I do not want to go on Accutane.

i read somewhere that benzoyl peroxide can cause skin to age faster because it dries it up and that will increase the risk of it getting wrinkles at an earlier age?!

is that true??
if so then does moisturizing after bp application prevent that from happening??

[dadoody]

Any new information about whether BP can cause premature aging? It's the only topical that works well for me, and I do not want to go on Accutane.

i read somewhere that benzoyl peroxide can cause skin to age faster because it dries it up and that will increase the risk of it getting wrinkles at an earlier age?!

is that true??
if so then does moisturizing after bp application prevent that from happening??

Yes it does cause skin aging, BUT how much depends on genetics, period of use, and BP strength.

Really, everything causes skin to age - sunlight, oxidation chemicals, and ACNE! I think Acne causes worse aging than BP alone, due to the repeated stretch of the skin from cysts, the scars, and the healing time from damaging cysts.

It doesn't keep this guy down:

[scoobytime]

hey hey there;

It is true that people with oily skin appear to age slower than those with dry skin. The oil production is the key to this phenomenon right? Then why not use Jojoba oil? It mimics the oil production of the skin and can act as a hydrating barrier. Or am I just talking nonsense? @____@

[Brandy]

http://www.acne.org/faq.html#wrinkles

[venalelixi]

BP's a pro oxidant, ofcourse it causes aging, which is why a month after you see desired results from acne.org regime you should switch to other things like paula's choice bha, weekly latic acid peels, RETINOIDs, etc.

[Breadisacne]

I am sure that putting a chemical on my skin every day is not good for it. However, i cannot stand having zits and i absolutely would not be able to shave without dan's regimen. I have been doing the regimen for about half a year now and my skin looked worse when I was on the do nothing regimen than now that I use BP every day and shave.

[CF1200]

I'll defer to others more knowledgeable than me about the chemistry + biology, but I've been using Dan's AHA with the BP and that feels great on my skin - no flakiness! AHA is a mild exfoliant and can, over time, reduce light scarring and wrinkles.

[Allybatty]

what moisturiser would be best at preventing wrinkles? im hoping by the time i get them that there will be like some super surgery available to get rid of them lol

[curlygc]

I have noticed, back when I used Neobenz 2.5% (which is BP, only you pay about $100 a tube for the fancy name and packaging), that my skin did look.... well, for lack of a better word, older.

I am 42 years old and I have suffered from adult acne since my late 20's. I have tried everything topical and oral short of Accutane. Most didn't work at all; a few worked for a few months then stopped. We'll see what happens with this regimen. I just hope it works over the long haul!

Anyway, I just started the regimen a few days ago. I went into it eyes wide open. I know that BP will dry up my skin and make it look older and more susceptible to wrinkles. But at this point in my life that's a trade I'm willing to make. My dermatologist used to tell me that I should be thankful for my oily Italian skin, that it's making me look 10 years younger than I am. Tell you what: I would be HAPPY to look 42 if it meant I could have clear skin.

-
curly

[Ivey]

Back when i was using 10% BP all over my face, it DEFINITELY caused some signs of premature aging. My skin felt leathery, dry, I developed fine lines under my eyes and forehead. I was so embarrassed because I was supposed to look 20, not 35!! Anyway, I finally gave up BP about 2 months ago and started moisturizing properly, exfoliating, and using gentle cleansers. The result: my youthful glow was back, no more fine lines under my eyes, nice, relatively clear (still suffer from blackheads), supple skin.

My main issue is premenstrual acne, which I would get minor breakouts one week before my period is due, otherwise, my skin would be fine. Well, unfortunately I broke-out kind of badly (worse than usual) recently since I had gotten sick and wasn't keeping up with my skin for 3 weeks (big mistake on my part). This has caused me to jump back on the BP wagon out of desperation to speed up the process of a few active pimples right now. But I use 2.5% nightly only, and follow up with an effective moisturizer. I also use an eye cream. I will be using BP until my skin finally returns to its normal state where I only had very mild acne, which I can live with. Then, back to my old regimen BP-free. I see it as an emergency ingredient only, not something I would want to use religiously. Trust me, BP is effective but at the cost of damaging your skin at a cellular level. It also inhibits the skin's natural ability to heal scars quickly too, so you end up with acne scars longer. My final word of advice: use BP with caution.

Edited by Ivey, 10 January 2010 - 01:07 PM.

[timbo2600]

Notice how everyone is saying "When I used BP I looked older.."

The effect BP has on the skin is very similar to the effect sun has on the skin. The immediate effect is a thickening of the epidermis. This is why people often refer to someone who is sporting a dark tan as having "leather" skin. It's a protective mechanism. The outer layer of skin is completely made up of dead skin cells, whether you are using BP or not. What happens when you use BP or go in the sun is this dead layer gets thicker. Outer skin layers are less pliable and more prone to getting dry. You can easily have "lines" in your face even in your teens if you are getting a lot of sun and/or using BP. These are not permanent. Try for yourself if you're that bothered by it. Quit the BP when you see the lines and wait a few months for your epidermis to thin out and return to normal. The lines will be gone. And of course you look younger with a thin epidermis. Fewer dead layers means what is there is better moisturized and more pliable.

That's why I laugh at people who rave over retinol making their skin look good. All they are doing is completely stripping off the protective layers and exposing their skin to the elements. Yeah that baby skin looks nice but it's also getting way more damage from UV and everything else.

BP has never been proven to accelerate aging. The body has mechanisms for dealing with these things and at the dilute percentages people use to treat acne the BP is broken down quickly. It's nothing like using hydrogen peroxide.

Edited by timbo2600, 17 January 2010 - 04:36 PM.

[yonsion2]

Benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient used in many acne products, generates free radicals and skin damage. It promotes skin damage in a manner similar to unprotected sun exposure. The redness caused by the application of benzoyl peroxide to the skin is a visible demonstration of "oxidative stress" or free radicals causing skin damage to the components and chemistry of the skin. Repeated unprotected sun exposure causes skin damage and premature skin aging which promotes the potential of skin cancer. Repeated application of benzoyl peroxide has been found to have the same result. The extent of skin damage from benzoyl peroxide is determined by the concentration of the benzoyl peroxide, the frequency of application and the duration of its use.

Benzoyl peroxide is used in acne products because it effectively kills P. acnes, the bacteria which causes acne. On the other hand, benzoyl peroxide generates free radicals that interfere with and slow the skins healing process. The red and brown marks that are a part of the acne healing process may last weeks longer when benzoyl peroxide is a regular part of the daily acne products regimen.


Benzoyl peroxide has been linked to skin cancer for a number of years and many research journal entries state "benzoyl peroxide is a free radical-generating skin tumor promoting agent." Performing a word search of the words "benzoyl peroxide cancer" in PubMed in the National Library of Medicine produces 102 articles from medical publications dealing with the research aspects of benzoyl peroxide and cancer. About two-thirds of the research supports linkage between benzoyl peroxide and skin cancer.

"In 1995 the FDA changed benzoyl peroxide from a Category I (safe) to a Category III (safety is uncertain) ingredient and stated this action (56 FR 37622) was based on new information that raised a safety concern regarding benzoyl peroxide as a tumor promoter in mice..." Additionally the FDA charged manufacturers of acne products and acne treatments with the responsibility of providing this information to consumers so they could make educated decisions. Many manufacturers and product marketers have not provided this information so consumers can be advised of the potential dangers of skin cancer.

Use of benzoyl peroxide in acne products and acne treatment may involve side effects and risks that should be considered in making decisions on acne treatment.

FDA / Benzoyl Peroxide Action: February 17, 1995
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) / Department of Health and Human Services
"Topical Drug Products Containing Benzoyl Peroxide: Required Labeling"
"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing additional labeling (warning and directions) for all topically-applied acne treatment drug products containing benzoyl peroxide. The warning advises consumers to avoid unnecessary sun exposure and to use a sunscreen when using a benzoyl peroxide product to treat acne..."

"The agency classified benzoyl peroxide from its previous status Category I to Category III status. This action (56 FR 37622) was based on new information that raised a safety concern regarding benzoyl peroxide as a tumor promoter in mice and a study that reported that benzoyl peroxide has tumor initiation potential."

"FDA evaluated these data and information and determined that the studies show that benzoyl peroxide is a skin tumor promoter in more than one strain of mice as well as in hamsters. To date, topical studies (which have shown only tumor promotion) have been of short duration (about 52 weeks). Although animal data and human epidemiology data are available, the agency has determined that further studies are necessary to adequately assess the tumorigenic potential of benzoyl peroxide. These studies are currently being conducted. The agency acknowledges that it may take several years for these studies to be completed and analyzed, and for the final determination to be made on benzoyl peroxide's safety.

Skin drying can cause wrinkles too, but it's not the same as 'real' wrinkles that caused by skin 's internal factors( such as loss of collagen,HA,collagen fibre.......)or even external factors( sunburn,smoking.....).It can be improved by hydrating + moisturizing, unlike the 'real' wrinkles only can be improved by doing treatments like Botox,etc~

Edited by yonsion2, 08 February 2010 - 11:49 AM.

[Brandy]

Everyone, please take a few minutes to read these links.

BP and aging/wrinkles: http://www.acne.org/faq.html#wrinkles
and
BP safety: http://www.acne.org/faq.html#cancer
and
BP stability/free radical discussion (Dan's input included) http://www.acne.org/messageboard/fuss-t333...ability+testing

[letmein86]

Thank you Brandy, awww shucks that's awfully nice of you.

In my experience, I've noticed some slight wrinkles which disappear after I stop using it.

I use the BP gel every 2nd day and only at nights & I'm still clear.

Hope this helps!

[tillcassandra]

BP made my skin age dramatically and I haven't been able to find a rewind for it. Moisturizer isn't doing the great job people on this website says it would. I stopped BP and started Niacin supplements to get rid of the acne which has worked very well. I still get dry skin, but it's much more controlled. But as for the wrinkles - I have yet to find a real solution.