Not only can acne be physically uncomfortable, but stubborn blemishes can hit self esteem pretty hard.
In fact, 15 percent of adult women in the United States also deals with acne.
But what is it, and what does it actually do?
Benzoyl peroxide is an effective antiseptic, meaning it works to kill germs on the surface of your skin.
While this ingredient comes in several over-the-counter treatments, it is also available in stronger concentrations by prescriptions.
However, different types of acne respond better to different treatments.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is part of a drug class known as salicylates (viaWebMD).
It also helps to dry up excess oil on your face, preventing it from clogging pores.
However, it is important that you begin any treatment very slowly.
Going from zero to sixty can greatly increase your chances of unwanted side effects like dryness or irritation.
