Home » Skin care » Care for problem skin » Hydrogen peroxide for acne
Hydrogen peroxide helps in the process of getting rid of acne due to its disinfectant property. After treating the area with rashes, upon contact with the skin, an oxidation process occurs. The resulting bubbles push dirt and germs out. The outer shell of acne dries out, accelerating the process of their disappearance. Due to its effectiveness and low cost, peroxide is widely used to cleanse the skin of rashes and is the main active ingredient in care products for problem skin.
Does peroxide help with acne on the face?
The anti-acne properties of peroxide are related to its properties and composition. First of all, it is a potent agent with a powerful antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effect, capable of killing millions of microbes from the treated surface.
In the fight against acne and purulent inflammation on the skin, peroxide manifests itself as follows:
- disinfects the inflamed area;
- neutralizes the activity and proliferation of bacteria;
- kills pathogenic microorganisms;
- reduces inflammation;
- relieves swelling and redness;
- dries and heals wounds;
- whitens stagnant spots and pigmentation after acne.
Hydrogen peroxide can cope with acne and inflammation of various types and stages of development, but for a visible effect to appear, procedures based on it must be regular and used for at least 2-3 weeks.
Chemical peeling with hydrogen peroxide
A fairly aggressive agent actively affects the process of cleansing the epidermis. Use this method no more than once every 14 days.
Components:
- peroxide – 5 tbsp. l.;
- sea salt – 1 tsp.
Mode of application:
- connect the components, wet the cotton pad;
- Wipe your face in a circular motion without strong pressure or ask an assistant to treat your back;
- duration of the procedure – 1 minute;
- take a shower or wash your face, apply moisturizer.
Note! In this recipe, peroxide is used undiluted. Do not violate the frequency of use, do not rub the skin longer than prescribed. If the epidermis is dry, dilute the peroxide with water - 1:3.
What concentration of solution can be used
Since hydrogen peroxide is a potent, aggressive substance, it must be used in a certain dosage and only if safety rules are observed.
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For anti-inflammatory masks, it is recommended to buy peroxide up to 3%. A product with a higher percentage can have an aggressive effect, similar to a burn, and irritate the skin even when diluted with water.
Important! It is strictly not recommended to use pure acid on the face due to the increased risk of allergies and severe chemical burns. Before use, the product must be mixed half and half with water.
The use of 3% peroxide must be approached with extreme caution and not used more than 3 times every 7 days. Before use, it is better to consult a dermatologist.
Recipes, application
- Badyaga and hydrogen peroxide. Eliminates acne, blackheads, inflammation, improves complexion. A mixture of peroxide and badyagi in equal proportions is applied to a cleansed face, previously steamed with herbal infusion. It is washed off after 15 minutes and the skin is moisturized with cream.
- Aspirin and hydrogen peroxide. Normalizes the functioning of the skin glands, eliminates inflammation. Preparation: Grind 3 aspirin tablets into powder, mix with 5 ml of peroxide and a teaspoon of water. After 15 minutes, it is washed off and the face is moisturized with cream.
- Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Provides deep cleansing of the skin. For 20 ml of peroxide - 10 mg of baking soda.
- Honey mask. Eliminates acne, as well as pits and spots from them. Apply pointwise and wash off after 15 minutes. Ingredients: 2 drops of peroxide and iodine, a tablespoon of aloe juice and honey.
- Clay mask. Suitable for sensitive skin. Any healing clay can be chosen at your discretion. Mix in equal proportions with peroxide, add 5 drops of tea tree oil. Exposure time is 15 minutes.
- Streptocide mask. It is done at night. Streptocide powder and baby powder are taken in equal proportions, a little hydrogen peroxide is added to the mixture until a paste forms. The composition is applied to the face with a soft brush, after drying, shake off a little excess, and the rest remains on the face until the morning. Afterwards it is washed off with water.
- Yeast mask. It is done at night. Add a little peroxide to a tablespoon of dry yeast to form a liquid paste. Apply in three layers, each after the previous one has dried. Then the excess is shaken off and the mask remains on until the morning. Then it is washed off with warm water.
How to use hydrogen peroxide against acne
To get rid of comedones, the product is used locally or to wipe problem areas. To get rid of single acne, it is recommended to apply the product directly to the problem area.
The skin treatment procedure is as follows:
- Get rid of remnants of cosmetics.
- Wash with warm water, dry with a towel.
- Dip a cotton swab into the bottle of product.
- Apply directly to each pimple.
- Leave for 5-10 minutes
- Wash off the product only when itching and burning appear.
Peroxide is applied only to clean, dry skin. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the anti-rash product may sharply decrease.
Rubbing and cauterizing
There are two options for using peroxide for rashes - wiping and cauterization. In the first case, the product is applied to each individual pimple and is not washed off.
In the second case, peroxide is used to make a toner, which is subsequently wiped over the entire surface of the facial skin.
Please note: a mixture of hydrogen peroxide with lemon and cucumber juice is great for weekly care, as it not only helps to enhance the antiseptic properties of the peroxide, but also protects the skin from damage.
To make tonic, a mixture of peroxide and liquid is used, as well as other emollients: herbal tincture, lime juice, cucumber and others.
Acne mask
An antibacterial mask with peroxide is a highly effective way to care for problem skin. This remedy allows you to cope with fresh and congestive rashes, dries out ulcers, and significantly whitens acne spots.
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In addition, using a mask based on peroxide, rather than a pure product, acts more delicately, significantly reducing the risk of side effects.
The main properties of hydrogen peroxide that help get rid of acne
The history of hydrogen peroxide is long. And already a hundred years ago it was known about the antiseptic properties of this drug. In appearance it is a colorless liquid with virtually no odor. When properly stored, the solution can retain all its properties for several years.
In the practice of doctors, as well as to get rid of acne, a solution is used whose concentration ranges from 0.25 to 3%. It should not be mistakenly confused with another popular substance that is used to lighten hair and skin and is called perhydrol. Here the concentration will be already 30%.
When this substance decomposes, a large amount of oxygen is released. And it is the most powerful oxidizing agent that is deadly to bacteria. If you have any doubts, you can read the instructions, which mention the indication for use as inflammatory diseases of the skin. But acne is nothing more than inflammation.
Why does peroxide help fight acne?
There are 5 pieces of evidence here, which we will present now.
- Active oxygen, which is released when using peroxide, destroys all anaerobic microbes.
- The appearance of foam during the reaction helps clean out the pores.
- When treating the face, not only microbes disintegrate, but also proteins and leukocytes, which are the main component of pus.
- The amount of blood flowing to the inflamed area decreases.
- Hydrogen peroxide does not penetrate the skin, which allows this medicine to be used even during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Now all that remains is to find out the question - how to properly use hydrogen peroxide to treat acne. Next, we will consider the most popular and actually effective methods.
Peroxide against acne: expert opinion
The opinions of dermatologists about hydrogen peroxide for acne and its effectiveness in this regard are quite contradictory. Many experts confirm the effectiveness of this product in the fight against acne, some forms of acne, inflammation and congestion, but cannot help but emphasize the increased aggressiveness of the product.
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Because of this, dermatologists recommend that people prone to irritation, rashes and blemishes treat the product with extreme caution and adhere to safety precautions.
Indications and general recommendations
Use peroxide for:
- single pimples;
- open comedones, blackheads;
- an abundance of acne on the face and back.
General recommendations
An effective bactericidal agent can be used with virtually no restrictions. There are several rules, violation of which causes burns of the epidermis, excessive dryness or unnatural skin color.
Please pay close attention to the following recommendations:
- treat pimples only spot-on! You should not wipe healthy skin with peroxide: after a while you will get overdried epidermis;
- Do not apply bactericide to acne every day for a long time. Possible damage to epidermal cells;
- Be sure to dilute the disinfectant composition with filtered water. For sensitive skin, the proportions are as follows: peroxide – 1 part, water – 3 parts. For oily skin, it is enough to dilute 1:2;
- remember: it is prohibited to use a 15% solution for cosmetic purposes; a concentration of 3% is suitable;
- potent masks with streptocide, yeast, and other components are allowed no more than 1-2 times a week;
- strictly follow the recommendations of dermatologists and cosmetologists. It is forbidden to keep the composition on the skin for longer than the specified time;
- Be sure to test masks, lotions, and spot treatment solutions on the skin of the elbow or the back of the hand. Only after checking for the occurrence of allergic reactions can the affected epidermis be lubricated;
- After treating the skin with a disinfectant solution, be sure to nourish and moisturize the skin. Apply a gentle cream to prevent dryness of the epidermis.
Note! Hydrogen peroxide for acne that appears on dry, sensitive skin can only be used in combination with vegetable oils or emollients. The ideal ingredients for such masks would be olive oil and egg yolk.
Contraindications and side effects
Hydrogen peroxide is a completely safe product, but due to its chemical nature, its use can cause some side effects. With frequent use, redness and flaking areas may appear, and a concentrated solution can cause skin burns.
Therefore, the product is not recommended for use by people with sensitive and dry skin, herpes and other skin diseases, open wounds on the face, large purulent formations, and burns. In other cases, the drug is quite safe and causes serious complications when used correctly.
Contraindications
Doctors do not note a large number of contraindications for using peroxide to wipe the skin where there is acne. This remedy can be used by many to treat problem skin. This is confirmed by the research of scientists and the clinical practice of specialists.
Minor contraindications to hydrogen therapy are:
- individual intolerance;
- particularly sensitive surface of the epidermis;
- dry type, subject to numerous peelings.
Reviews
Maxim Danilin, 34 years old. I have always had acne on my face since I was a teenager. I tried a lot of things, but the result was zero. Expensive imported lotions really helped, but it was still a temporary effect, and the price was high. I tried a mask with hydrogen peroxide for the first time 4 months ago, when my wife read reviews about this method on some website. I was surprised, but the effect is practically no different from expensive lotions. And practically, this is in favor of peroxide, because rashes appear less and less. I make a mask of yeast and peroxide 2 times a week.
Ekaterina Moskovkina, 22 years old. I had the following problem: my face is heavily covered with freckles and, in addition, pimples with pustules often appear. I alternate between 2 masks: once a week, hydrogen peroxide and acne powder, and the second week, peroxide and baby powder - it seems like I killed two birds with one stone. Freckles fade and pimples dry out and disappear. By the way, they appear very rarely and in isolated cases. The main thing is to do it regularly and according to the rules, without violating the recipe!
Starting acne treatment
Very often, acne is not a disease, but a symptom. Depending on the type and nature, place and time of their occurrence, as well as age and skin type, it is necessary to determine the real cause of acne.
Most often they appear between the ages of fourteen and sixteen and do not disappear until the age of twenty-one. Usually the cause is changes in the hormonal system caused by growing up.
Less commonly, acne can be caused by certain skin conditions, infections, and parasites. Many doctors associate the appearance of acne on the face with disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. Also, one should not discount options with allergies, reactions to certain drugs, products and the environmental environment.
After determining the causes of acne, the first step is to treat it. Also, regardless of the causes of acne, it is necessary to normalize your diet, if possible excluding sweet, fatty and fried foods, maintain proper facial skin hygiene, and sleep normally, allowing the skin to recover.
Only after finding out the source of acne and creating conditions for their removal can you begin to use external and healing medications, in this case hydrogen peroxide.
Compliance with safety regulations
It is recommended that you use hydrogen peroxide with caution if you have the following conditions:
- hyperthyroidism;
- decompensated kidney and liver diseases;
- dermatitis herpetiformis.
An absolute contraindication in which the use of the product is prohibited is sensitivity to the components.
The appearance of a burning sensation during the application of hydrogen peroxide is considered normal, but you need to pay attention to the following signs:
- irritation of the respiratory system and respiratory tract;
- irritation of the mucous membranes of the digestive system - indicates peroxide ingestion.
Such symptoms indicate an overdose or violation of the rules for using hydrogen peroxide; you should seek medical help.
Hydrogen peroxide: benefits and effectiveness
The effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide is related to the breakdown of the substance. During this process, atomic oxygen is released, which is a powerful oxidizing agent. It reacts with those compounds that come in its way - during the treatment of acne, such elements are pathogenic bacteria.
Hydrogen peroxide - an effective remedy in a convenient package
The positive properties of the product are:
- destruction of anaerobic microorganisms;
- decreased blood flow to inflammation and decreased redness;
- cleansing of pores due to the foam generated during the reaction.
The peroxide components decompose on the surface; they do not penetrate the body.
Treatment with hydrogen peroxide is effective in the following cases:
- acne occurs due to skin contamination, and not as a result of health problems (diseases of the digestive system, hormonal changes);
- The rash appears periodically and is not present all the time.
Mask recipes
Before use, you should find out whether they can be used for your skin. Such formulations should not be used by people who may have:
- dry, flaky skin;
- individual sensitivity to the drug;
- various diseases (except acne and acne);
- wounds and skin injuries.
The video explains whether it is possible to wipe (cauterize) acne with hydrogen peroxide, and whether this procedure helps at all:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=UCvyRPthEyQ
By the way, hydrogen peroxide will be needed for people who:
- oily skin;
- there are freckles and pronounced pigmentation;
- pores are enlarged.
Treatment with honey composition
To prepare a honey mask for acne, you will need to take one tbsp. a spoonful of honey and aloe juice, and add two drops of iodine and hydrogen peroxide to them. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and then applied to problem areas. Leave for a quarter of an hour and wash off. This must be done, preferably with warm water.
Yeast for acne
To prepare a yeast face mask, you need to mash twenty grams of regular yeast with a fork in a ceramic bowl. Then add 1 tablespoon of peroxide solution to them. Mix everything until it reaches the consistency of sour cream. If using dry yeast, take the contents of half a sachet and add a small amount of water. After they dissolve, you need to add peroxide. This is the only mask that can be left on the face for twenty minutes. Then it is thoroughly washed off with warm water. During its action, you need to relax your facial muscles; this is best done while lying down. After using such a mask, you should wipe your face with chamomile decoction, which will soothe the skin and prevent dryness and irritation.
Purifying face mask
To prepare this acne cleansing mask, you will need shaving cream (you can use both women's and men's). One of his articles the spoon should be diluted in 50 ml of water (mineral or simply filtered), then add 5 ml of camphor or ammonia and 4 ml of hydrogen peroxide to the resulting mixture. Mix all ingredients carefully. Apply the composition directly to the face and wash off after a quarter of an hour. After using it, the pores will noticeably narrow and the skin will get rid of impurities.
From blackheads
Take two tablespoons of white clay, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. Then one tbsp is added to it. spoons of hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice. Everything is rubbed together and applied to the skin. And after ten minutes it is washed off with cool water. After this mixture, be sure to lubricate your face with cream. This product lightens the spots and removes dirt from them. It is especially effective if applied to steamed skin. An acne mask with lemon can be made with honey, without adding peroxide.
Using a curd mask
For it you need to take Art. spoon of homemade cottage cheese or heavy cream and combine with 8 drops of hydrogen peroxide. They should be mixed together, and if cream is used, the latter should be whipped and applied to the skin of the face. Leave this mask on for a quarter of an hour and then wash it off.
Anti-stain mask with badyaga
This component enhances the effect of hydrogen peroxide against acne and blemishes. It is able to eliminate long-standing spots and the consequences of post-acne. It is often used as a scrub. It is available for sale in powder and gel form. Badyaga can improve skin breathing and increase the supply of oxygen to all its cells. It serves as a conductor of peroxide for its deep penetration into the subcutaneous capillaries and participates in cleansing contaminated pores. This feature helps reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands.
To prepare the product, you need to take 5 grams of badyagi and 7 drops of peroxide. Mix all this and apply to your face. Leave for 10 minutes and rinse. This mask helps get rid of old and new scars, eliminate wrinkles and pimples.
This mask is contraindicated if you have:
- allergy to its components;
- thin and dry facial skin;
- rosacea;
- peeling is observed;
- hypertrichosis.
Face masks with peroxide are a real godsend for problematic and oily skin. They are able to cope with any acne that is not caused by internal diseases. Not only is the skin superficially cleansed, but deeper impurities are also removed. Using formulations with peroxide, you can get rid of annoying freckles and eliminate strong pigmentation on the face. Their correct use will lead to recovery of the skin from acne at any age.