K, so I have moderate acne, mostly on my forehead and shoulders. Today I purchased Clean & Clear 3-in-1 exfoliating cleanser. The active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide. In my previous experiences with benzoyl peroxide, my face has gotten red and dried out. So I bought a moisturizer to go along with it-- Clean & Clear oil-free dual action moisturizer. Now, this one's active ingredient is salicylic acid.

So. Is it safe to use these products together? Or should I go with a normal facial moisturizer?

Yahoo Answers is being slow. :P

Pretty sure that should be fine. I use stuff with those ingredients together all the time.

Something that I learned the other day about avoiding dry skin: wait 20 minutes or so after cleansing before putting moisturizer on. If you put moisturizer on right after you wash your face, it dries it out even more.

Thankies, Robin. I tried it like that this morning, and my skin is nice and soft; it didn't turn red or anything. Good advice :)

Haha, I guess I can request this thread be closed...

No reason for the thread to be closed. You only got one opinion.

I agree.

It's actually been proven that Benzoyl Peroxide and Salacylic acid (when both in small percentages - BP 2%-2.5% and SA .5%-2.5%) help each other out in treating acne. They both seem to treat it in different but complementing ways, so you're more likely to get your acne cleared up if you use both simultaneously.

My dermatologist told me this BTW.

Ah, didn't know that. My mom was worried my skin would have some sort of terrible reaction if I mixed different chemicals.

So far, it's working pretty well. One of the most effective acne treatments I've tried yet.

Nah, You'll be fine using that, and may i sugjest Cliniques dramaticly different moisturising lotion. It's amazing and it realy makes your skin moisturised and not oily.

also you can try Garnier pure 3in1 wash, scrub and mask.
It's amazing, like, realy amazing.

I myself dont trust stuff like clean and clear or whatever else for teenage skin.
Clinique also has a lot of nice skin care stuff.

Pricey pricey. For the record, I'm a teenager without a job, and I don't regularly receive allowance. So money is a factor that needs to be considered here. =P

Mikayla, you can use cheap-o generic or store-brand products. You just have to look at the active ingredient list and the corresponding percentages. Make sure that the percentage is not too high otherwise it could be very harsh, especially since you'd be using two different products. Just make sure you use a moisturizer after you apply, because your skin will have to get used to the products, and you may get red and irritated at first.

Cetaphil and Sebamed. Cheap and good.

How high is too high of a percentage? Does it differ with benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid?



I'll look for them at the store; thanks!

Both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid do the same thing: in essence, they give you a mini chemical peel, by removing the very top-most layer of skin. I've used both together before, so it can be done, but I wouldn't recommend it, since you're getting the same treatment, only doubled. It's not going to give you some horrible reaction (probably), but it may give you more of the drying effect than you want--or need.

In addition, there is a maximum percentage of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide that different formulas use. It may be difficult to find lesser percentages.

Benzoyl Peroxide--Acne Treatment

Salicylic Acid -- Cosmetic Uses