What Not To Mix with Benzoyl Peroxide
Navigating Complex Combinations for Clear Skin
Benzoyl peroxide is a popular acne treatment you can find over the counter.
It works well with many other skincare products too, for example:
Salicylic acid: helps fight breakouts and blackheads.
Vitamin C: helps even out your skin tone.
Retinoids: help with signs of aging and acne.
However, it's important to know the right and wrong ways to mix these ingredients.
In this article, I'll teach you everything you need to know about using benzoyl peroxide with other skincare products safely.
Can I use benzoyl peroxide with niacinamide?
Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide with niacinamide.
Niacinamide is a powerful ingredient in skincare.
Studies show that it can:
Control excess sebum production
Soothe inflammation and skin irritation
Support skin barrier function
Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Since it can help control oil production, niacinamide is a key ingredient to use in your skincare routine alongside benzoyl peroxide to treat acne. Thankfully, you’ll often find it included in products at ~2-5% concentration among other skin-loving ingredients.
Can you use benzoyl peroxide with salicylic acid?
Yes, studies show that you can use benzoyl peroxide products along with beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid in your skincare routine to effectively treat acne-prone skin.
While benzoyl peroxide works by killing off acne-causing bacteria, salicylic acid works by unclogging your pores.
That said, both ingredients can cause side effects like skin irritation.
To use benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid together safely, choose one of the following options:
Use benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid products on alternate days
Use a leave-on salicylic acid product in the morning and a leave-on benzoyl peroxide product at night
Wash your face with a salicylic acid cleanser and then use a leave-on benzoyl peroxide gel, or vice versa
Try to avoid layering leave-on benzoyl peroxide products on top of salicylic acid products to avoid compromising your skin barrier.
Further, just be aware that both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can cause purging.
Can you use benzoyl peroxide with hyaluronic acid?
Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide with hyaluronic acid. The two are a powerful combination for treating your skin.
Hyaluronic acid is essential to help your skin maintain its elasticity and hydration.
Because strong acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide can cause excessive dryness, they can often disrupt your skin barrier.
By using hyaluronic acid alongside benzoyl peroxide, you can effectively treat acne and keep your skin healthy.
Can you use benzoyl peroxide with tretinoin?
Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide with tretinoin to treat acne and signs of aging.
While benzoyl peroxide works by killing off acne-causing bacteria, tretinoin works by speeding up skin cell turnover and unclogging your pores.
That said, both ingredients can cause side effects like skin irritation, especially for people with sensitive skin.
To use benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin together safely, choose one of the following options:
Use benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin on alternate nights
Use a leave-on benzoyl peroxide product in the morning and apply tretinoin at night
Wash your face with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser and then apply tretinoin at night
Remember, tretinoin degrades under sunlight, so you can only use it in your evening skin care routine.
Just be aware that while you can get benzoyl peroxide over the counter, you will need to see a board-certified dermatologist to get a prescription for tretinoin.
Can you use benzoyl peroxide with retinol?
Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide with retinol to treat acne and signs of aging.
While benzoyl peroxide works by killing off acne-causing bacteria, retinol works by speeding up skin cell turnover and unclogging your pores.
That said, both ingredients can cause side effects like skin irritation, especially for people with sensitive skin.
To use benzoyl peroxide and retinol together safely, choose one of the following options:
Use benzoyl peroxide and retinol on alternate nights
Use a leave-on benzoyl peroxide product in the morning and apply retinol at night
Wash your face with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser and then apply retinol at night
Remember, retinol (like tretinoin!) degrades under sunlight, so you can only use it in your evening skincare routine.
Thankfully, unlike tretinoin, you can get retinol over the counter.
Can you use benzoyl peroxide and vitamin C?
Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide with vitamin C.
That said, it’s probably not a good idea to layer them together due to concerns for irritation.
For best results, try wearing your vitamin C serum in the morning and using a benzoyl peroxide cleanser like PanOxyl 4% or 10% at night.
Can you use benzoyl peroxide with alpha hydroxy acids?
Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide and alpha hydroxy acids in your skincare routine.
The most common alpha hydroxy acids include:
While benzoyl peroxide works by killing off acne-causing bacteria, alpha hydroxy acids work by speeding up skin cell turnover and exfoliating your stratum corneum.
That said, both ingredients can cause side effects like skin irritation.
To use benzoyl peroxide and alpha hydroxy acids together safely, choose one of the following options:
Use benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid products on alternate nights
Use a leave-on benzoyl peroxide product in the morning and an AHA product at night
Wash your face with an AHA cleanser and then use a leave-on benzoyl peroxide gel at night, or vice versa
Try to avoid layering leave-on benzoyl peroxide products on top of AHAs to avoid compromising your skin barrier.
Can you use PanOxyl and Differin together?
Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide with Differin or adapalene to treat acne and skin texture.
While benzoyl peroxide works by killing off acne-causing bacteria, adapalene works by speeding up skin cell turnover and unclogging your pores.
That said, both ingredients can cause side effects like skin irritation, especially for people with sensitive skin.
To use benzoyl peroxide and adapalene together safely, choose one of the following options:
Use benzoyl peroxide and adapalene on alternate nights
Use a leave-on benzoyl peroxide product in the morning and apply adapalene at night
Wash your face with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser and then apply adapalene at night
Remember, adapalene (just like tretinoin and retinol!) degrades under sunlight, so you can only use it in your evening skincare routine.
Thankfully, unlike tretinoin, you can get Differin over the counter.
Can you use benzoyl peroxide with moisturizer?
Yes, you can and should use benzoyl peroxide with moisturizers.
Since benzoyl peroxide products intended for acne-prone skin can be drying, the best moisturizer to use with PanOxyl needs nourishing ingredients like:
ceramides
cholesterol
essential fatty acids like vitamin E oil
humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid
Be sure to apply moisturizer any time you use benzoyl peroxide, even if only in a cleanser like PanOxyl.
Some of my favorite moisturizers to use with PanOxyl include Medik8’s Advanced Ceramide Night Cream and Naturium’s Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm.
What can you use with PanOxyl?
Because PanOxyl contains benzoyl peroxide which can cause excessive dryness, you can use any nourishing and hydrating ingredients with it.
Looking for ingredients in skincare products like:
hyaluronic acid
glycerin
ceramides
aloe vera
niacinamide
cholesterol
fatty acids
and more!
The Bottom Line: Mixing Skincare Ingredients with Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the best acne treatments, and you can safely combine it with other treatments by alternating days.
Some of the best treatments to use with benzoyl peroxide include:
vitamin C
retinol
azelaic acid (my personal favorite)
and salicylic acid
Further, because benzoyl peroxide can cause dryness and irritation, be sure to use nourishing ingredients alongside it like niacinamide, ceramides, and moisturizing ingredients.
Try it out for three months, and you’ll notice the difference for yourself!
Cheers,