Like all medicines, benzoyl peroxide can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
These common side effects of benzoyl peroxide happen in more than 1 in 10 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Dry skin
Apply a moisturiser and lip balm regularly. The best type of moisturiser is an oil-free face moisturiser for sensitive skin. Try to take shorter showers, using warm water rather than hot.
Peeling or red skin
Redness may be less obvious on brown or black skin. Try using the gel or wash less often, or stop using it for a few days until the irritation goes away, then start again. Do not use other products on your skin until it gets better.
Speak to a doctor if your symptoms do not get better or are severe.
Burning or stinging (skin irritation)
Try using the gel or wash less often (once a day instead of twice, or every other day). It might help to stop using the gel for a few days until the irritation goes away, then start again.
If the irritation does not go away after this time, stop using it and speak to a doctor.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.
Stop using benzoyl peroxide if:
- the skin that you're treating becomes swollen
- you get blisters on your skin
If your symptoms do not get better within a couple of days or if they get worse at any time, call a doctor or call 111 straight away.
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to benzoyl peroxide.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of benzoyl peroxide. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.