Benzoyl Peroxide: The Old-School Acne Hero That Still Works

Aanal Thaker
Nov 20
1 min read

If you’ve ever dealt with those annoying, painful pimples that pop up at the worst time, you’ve probably heard of Benzoyl Peroxide — or BPO. This ingredient is literally one of the oldest and most trusted acne fighters in the skincare world. It’s been around since the 1930s, so you can imagine how many dermatologists have relied on it over the years.

So what does it do?

BPO mainly works by killing the acne-causing bacteria (the ones responsible for those big red pimples). It also helps reduce the swelling and irritation that come with breakouts. You’ll find it in gels, face washes, creams, and those tiny spot-treatment tubes.

Best part? You don’t even need a prescription it’s available straight over the counter.

Fun fact:

BPO bleaches literally everything. Bedsheets, towels, your favourite black T-shirt… if the product touches fabric, chances are you’ll see a faded patch. So always be a little careful when using it before bedtime.

Another good thing is that BPO doesn’t go deep into your body. It mostly stays on top of your skin, doing its job right there. So it works effectively without entering your system.

But yes, there are some normal side effects, especially in the starting days: