The way BP works is that, for majority of people, you do need to keep using it to maintain results. Your skin isn't addicted to it or anything like that, it's just how BP works to combat acne. Stopping BP usually does lead to a breakout because you've stopped using the ingredient that had been making / keeping your skin clear and acne at bay.

If you want to stop using BP and try something else, then make sure to slowly decrease the amount of BP you use until you get to none (don't quit cold turkey) - supposedly this lessens the severity of the withdrawal breakout that a lot of people get when stopping BP.

It is impossible for your skin to become 'used' to or addicted to BP, but as Lilly has stated above, your skin stays clear by using BP regularly.

At 20 years old it would be tempting to see if you have grown out of acne, however if you are still getting cystic acne once in a while then I'm sorry to say that it looks likely that you will start to break out badly if you stop using BP.

You can however experiment with using less BP to maintain clear skin. Have you tried only applying it once a day or every second day etc? Many people (including myself) had success in keeping their skin clear by using a lot less BP than what is recommended in the regimen. Its just a case of experimenting and see what works with your skin.

I followed the regimen for two years before changing to Epiduo. I started breaking out for a few months after changing but then started to clear again. Perhaps this is something you could look into also.

The main thing is to not stop cold turkey but if you decide to stop using BP, then slowly reduce or switch it with an alternative acne product (such as Epiduo as an example).

Best of luck!

AyeAye, I don't understand, Epiduo is 2,5% benzoyl peroxide and acne.org treatment is 2,5% benzoyl peroxide, what alternative product are you talking about? I have told people that they don't necessarily have to slap BP horrific amounts every morning and night on their face. BP is a powerful stuff, it is very likely that you'll get clear and stay clear with just once every other night application, like myself. I actually stay clear twice a week application.

AyeAye, I don't understand, Epiduo is 2,5% benzoyl peroxide and acne.org treatment is 2,5% benzoyl peroxide, what alternative product are you talking about?

Epiduo is a combination of BP and and Adapalene (a retinoid) so it is not the same as the acne.org treatment 2.5% BP.

I'm happy to hear that you're staying clear with irregular BP applications, but everyone's skin and severity of acne is different. It would be silly for me to say "I remained clear by only applying a small amount of BP (not the full two pumps) each night and so therefore EVERYONE will stay clear by doing the same as me". This is unfortunately not true, and regimen users will need to experiment (once they are clear) to see how 'little' BP they can get away with.