Both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are effective treatments for acne.
Which one should you use? How do you decide to use salicylic acid vs benzoyl peroxide.
First, we must understand what causes acne.
Acne results from a clogged pore, with a pore being a combined hair follicle and sebaceous gland.
Poorly exfoliated dead skin cells are often the initial source of the clogging.
A pore often becomes a fertile spot for bacteria, especially the propionibacterium acnes bacteria.
The pore becomes filled with sebum from the gland.
A completely clogged pore results in a whitehead where the light colored fluid can be seen just beneath the surface of the skin.
A partial clog also contains sebum, but it comes in contact with the air, resulting in a dark color or blackheads.
Eventually the immune system sends white blood cells to the source of the bacteria, and the result is called a pimple or a zit.
All three types of acne above essentially begin at the same place.
This is what you want to treat.
You want to avoid all three of these conditions.
Which is better for treating your acne? Benzoyl peroxide treats acne by drying and exfoliating the surface of the skin, thus resulting in fewer clogged pores.
This gives less refuge for the acne bacteria.
In addition benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial and will kill acne bacteria outright.
Salicylic acids are able to penetrate into skin and the pores, dislodging any dead skins cells and destroying the bacteria within.
Salicylic acids have also been shown to shrink pores, thus reducing the likelihood of further breakouts.
In addition, it can dry the skin and help exfoliate the dead skin cells.
I personally prefer salicylic acids.
A good source of the acid is lemon juice.
You can get inexpensive lemons at your local market and squeeze them for their juice.
You then apply the juice liberally to your skin.
You place directly on affected areas including your face.
I have found that lemon juice is a cheap and effective home remedy.
But be careful, lemon juice may sting or cause a rash.
Also, it will burn if you get it in your eye.
There are a few directions for applying lemon juice that you want to follow to prevent any unfortunate side effects.
Learn more about how to apply lemon juice before attempting to use this particular home remedy for acne.
Which one should you use? How do you decide to use salicylic acid vs benzoyl peroxide.
First, we must understand what causes acne.
Acne results from a clogged pore, with a pore being a combined hair follicle and sebaceous gland.
Poorly exfoliated dead skin cells are often the initial source of the clogging.
A pore often becomes a fertile spot for bacteria, especially the propionibacterium acnes bacteria.
The pore becomes filled with sebum from the gland.
A completely clogged pore results in a whitehead where the light colored fluid can be seen just beneath the surface of the skin.
A partial clog also contains sebum, but it comes in contact with the air, resulting in a dark color or blackheads.
Eventually the immune system sends white blood cells to the source of the bacteria, and the result is called a pimple or a zit.
All three types of acne above essentially begin at the same place.
This is what you want to treat.
You want to avoid all three of these conditions.
Which is better for treating your acne? Benzoyl peroxide treats acne by drying and exfoliating the surface of the skin, thus resulting in fewer clogged pores.
This gives less refuge for the acne bacteria.
In addition benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial and will kill acne bacteria outright.
Salicylic acids are able to penetrate into skin and the pores, dislodging any dead skins cells and destroying the bacteria within.
Salicylic acids have also been shown to shrink pores, thus reducing the likelihood of further breakouts.
In addition, it can dry the skin and help exfoliate the dead skin cells.
I personally prefer salicylic acids.
A good source of the acid is lemon juice.
You can get inexpensive lemons at your local market and squeeze them for their juice.
You then apply the juice liberally to your skin.
You place directly on affected areas including your face.
I have found that lemon juice is a cheap and effective home remedy.
But be careful, lemon juice may sting or cause a rash.
Also, it will burn if you get it in your eye.
There are a few directions for applying lemon juice that you want to follow to prevent any unfortunate side effects.
Learn more about how to apply lemon juice before attempting to use this particular home remedy for acne.