Which Acne Face Wash to Use? 

by: Paul E. Web

Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid?

As a longtime sufferer of acne, I use an acne face wash everyday.  If I miss a few days I usually end with a face fullof zits, so I’ve managed to make acne face washes an important part of my morning and nighttime routine.  There are different acne face washes out there today, and I’ve experimented with just about all the ones available over-the-counter, as well as some prescription versions as well. 

They all fall in two categories based on the two most common acne face wash active ingredients; those that use benzyl peroxide and those that use salicylic acid.  Even the prescription acne face washes I tried used benzyl peroxide, but in a much higher concentration. 
 
I’ve bounced back and forth between using the two different chemicals, and I find that benzyl peroxide is consistently more effective for me.  It’s no surprise to me that most of the acne face washes out there, including the prescriptions use benzyl peroxide.  However, salicylic acid helps as well, and I’ve found the best technique is to use both.  Not at the same time of course, but I will alternate the face washes.  If use a benzyl peroxide acne face wash in the morning, then salicylic acid one at night, I get better results than if I just use one type only. 

Regular use of an acne face wash and taking good care of my skin go a long way, but now and then I still get outbreaks.  I’ve come to accept that some amount of blemishes in my life is something of inevitability.  Since I was a teenager, I’ve had to live with acne, and it hasn’t let up much even well into my adult life.

Other than skin care, stress directly affects my acne outbreaks.  Using an acne face wash a couple times a day, as well as lotions and other skin care products usually keeps the blemishes at bay. But the moment something stressful comes up the dam breaks and I get a sudden surge of acne.  I can almost measure how stressed I am by the intensity of the breakout.  One or two pimples are normal for a first date.  Three or four is typical for a class reunion, or a job interview.  In-laws coming over for dinner; pizza face.