Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide kills the acne-causing bacteria C. acnes directly, which makes it one of the fastest-acting options for inflamed, active breakouts. It's also a genuine bleach — towels and pillowcases included — and it cannot be used the same night as a retinoid without deactivating it.
How to introduce it
2x
Starting / week
5x
Target / week
4w
Ramp period
6w
Fair to judge by
Possible purging window: weeks 1–3 — temporary increased breakouts as turnover speeds up. Don't stop or judge the ingredient during this window.
Rules that don't bend
- Can bleach towels, pillowcases, and colored fabric — use white linens on treated nights.
- Never combine with retinoids in the same session — alternate nights instead.
- Sunscreen is mandatory the morning after use.
- Do not apply to broken, sunburned, or actively irritated skin.
Stop and back off if
- — Excessive dryness or peeling that moisturizer does not resolve.
Don't combine with
Same-night use can irritate skin or cancel out the active — alternate nights instead of layering them together.