Editing Acne (section)

====Benzoyl peroxide====
[[File:Benzoyl peroxide gel.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|alt=A tube of benzoyl peroxide gel|Benzoyl peroxide cream is a common treatment for acne vulgaris.]]

[[Benzoyl peroxide]] (BPO) is a first-line treatment for mild and moderate acne due to its effectiveness and mild side-effects (mainly [[dermatitis|skin irritation]]). In the skin follicle, benzoyl peroxide kills ''C. acnes'' by oxidizing its proteins through the formation of oxygen [[free radical]]s and [[benzoic acid]]. These free radicals likely interfere with the bacterium's metabolism and ability to make proteins.<ref name="Leccia2015">{{cite journal | vauthors = Leccia MT, Auffret N, Poli F, Claudel JP, Corvec S, Dreno B | title = Topical acne treatments in Europe and the issue of antimicrobial resistance | journal = Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology | volume = 29 | issue = 8 | pages = 1485–92 | date = August 2015 | pmid = 25677763 | doi = 10.1111/jdv.12989 | s2cid = 12894377 | type = Review }}</ref><ref name="Gamble2012"/> Additionally, benzoyl peroxide is mildly effective at breaking down comedones and inhibiting inflammation.<ref name="Zaenglein2016">{{cite journal | vauthors = Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, Alikhan A, Baldwin HE, Berson DS, Bowe WP, Graber EM, Harper JC, Kang S, Keri JE, Leyden JJ, Reynolds RV, Silverberg NB, Stein Gold LF, Tollefson MM, Weiss JS, Dolan NC, Sagan AA, Stern M, Boyer KM, Bhushan R | display-authors = 6 | title = Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | volume = 74 | issue = 5 | pages = 945–73.e33 | date = May 2016 | pmid = 26897386 | doi = 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037 | type = Review | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="Gamble2012">{{cite journal | vauthors = Gamble R, Dunn J, Dawson A, Petersen B, McLaughlin L, Small A, Kindle S, Dellavalle RP | display-authors = 6 | title = Topical antimicrobial treatment of acne vulgaris: an evidence-based review | journal = American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | volume = 13 | issue = 3 | pages = 141–52 | date = June 2012 | pmid = 22268388 | doi = 10.2165/11597880-000000000-00000 | s2cid = 5838346 | type = Review }}</ref> Combination products use benzoyl peroxide with a topical antibiotic or retinoid, such as [[benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin]] and [[benzoyl peroxide/adapalene]], respectively.<ref name=Yin2014/> Topical benzoyl peroxide is effective at treating acne.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, Hu J, Li H, Zhang Y, Liu J, Zhang Q | display-authors = 6 | title = Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2020 | pages = CD011154 | date = March 2020 | issue = 3 | pmid = 32175593 | pmc = 7077870 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD011154.pub2 | collaboration = Cochrane Skin Group }}</ref>

Side effects include increased [[Photosensitivity#Skin reactions|skin photosensitivity]], dryness, redness, and occasional peeling.<ref name=Benz09>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sagransky M, Yentzer BA, Feldman SR | title = Benzoyl peroxide: a review of its current use in the treatment of acne vulgaris | journal = Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy | volume = 10 | issue = 15 | pages = 2555–62 | date = October 2009 | pmid = 19761357 | doi = 10.1517/14656560903277228 | s2cid = 26069784 | type = Review }}</ref> Sunscreen use is often advised during treatment, to prevent [[sunburn]]. Lower concentrations of benzoyl peroxide are just as effective as higher concentrations in treating acne but are associated with fewer side effects.<ref name="Gamble2012"/><ref name="Brandstetter2013">{{cite journal | vauthors = Brandstetter AJ, Maibach HI | title = Topical dose justification: benzoyl peroxide concentrations | journal = The Journal of Dermatological Treatment | volume = 24 | issue = 4 | pages = 275–7 | date = August 2013 | pmid = 22103743 | doi = 10.3109/09546634.2011.641937 | s2cid = 7912384 | type = Review }}</ref> Unlike antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide does not appear to generate [[Antimicrobial resistance|bacterial antibiotic resistance]].<ref name=Benz09/>