CosmeticBet
Acne and spot treatments

Benzoyl peroxide

INCI: BENZOYL PEROXIDE

An acne medicine that guidelines strongly recommend, and that bleaches fabric.

drag to turn
C14H10O4242.23 g/mol
oxygencarbonhydrogen
3D shape from PubChem 7187

How common

All products0.01%

1 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts.

What it is

  • An organic peroxide: a white powder, widely used in acne treatments.

    2 sourcesHide
    Benzoyl peroxide appears as odorless white powder or granules.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    Benzoyl peroxide is a commonly used drug in topical treatments for acne.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

Why it is in products

  • To treat acne: it releases oxygen that kills acne bacteria, and it peels the skin, which helps clear blocked pores (comedones).

    2 sourcesHide
    Upon topical application, benzoyl peroxide decomposes to release oxygen which is lethal to the bacteria Proprionibacterium acnes.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    Due to its irritant effect, benzoyl peroxide increases turnover rate of epithelial cells, thereby peeling the skin and promoting the resolution of comedones.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

What it does

  • US acne guidelines strongly recommend it.

    Well establishedskinSourceHide
    Strong recommendations are made for benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, and oral doxycycline.[2] Review · 2024 · open source

Downsides and safety

  • It irritates: redness, burning, itching, peeling, sometimes swelling; using it less often or at a lower strength helps. It can bleach hair and dyed fabrics.

    Well established2 sourcesHide
    avoid contact with hair and dyed fabrics, which may be bleached by this product[3] US federal regulation · open source
    skin irritation may occur, characterized by redness, burning, itching, peeling, or possibly swelling. Irritation may be reduced by using the product less frequently or in a lower concentration.[3] US federal regulation · open source

  • Benzene was found in a few products: in FDA tests of 95 acne products in 2025, over 90% had undetectable or extremely low benzene, a few were recalled, and the FDA judged the cancer risk very low even with decades of daily use.

    3 sourcesHide
    the results of new agency testing of 95 acne products containing benzoyl peroxide for possible benzene contamination[4] US Food and Drug Administration · open source
    FDA has concluded that a limited number of products should be recalled at the retail level; more than 90% of tested products had undetectable or extremely low levels of benzene.[4] US Food and Drug Administration · open source
    the risk of a person developing cancer because of exposure to benzene found in these products is very low[4] US Food and Drug Administration · open source

Where it works

SurfaceOuter layer(stratum corneum)Living layer(epidermis)Dermis

On the skin and around its pores, where it kills acne bacteria and peels the surface.

Good evidenceSourceHide
This treatment decreases keratin and sebum around follicles, as well as increasing turnover of epithelial cells.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

Rules

European Union

  • Not allowed in EU cosmetics except professional artificial-nail products (up to 0.7%).

    SourceHide
    94 Dibenzoyl peroxide Benzoyl peroxide 94-36-0 202-327-6 Artificial nail systems 0,7 % (after mixing for use) Professional use[5] EU law · 2026 · open source

United States

  • An over-the-counter acne drug at 2.5 to 10%.

    SourceHide
    (a) Benzoyl peroxide, 2.5 to 10 percent.[3] US federal regulation · open source

Sources

  1. PubChem: Benzoyl peroxide (CID 7187), record description PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)
  2. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris Reynolds RV et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2024Review
  3. 21 CFR Part 333: Topical antimicrobial drug products for over-the-counter human use (incl. acne), 2024 US federal regulation
  4. Limited number of voluntary recalls initiated after FDA testing of acne products for benzene; findings show a small number of products with elevated levels of benzene contamination | FDA US Food and Drug Administration
  5. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, consolidated text of 18 May 2026 Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex/Cellar), 2026EU law

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.