If you take a look around the internet, there is a lot of chatter about the failure of traditional acne treatments. Instead, you might be pushed into a holistic treatment or some zany unproven "miracle cure" that is making somebody a lot of money. I believe in holistic treatments for acne, especially if you have moderate to severe acne. I think they are a great thing to try instead something harsh like Accutane which can wreak havoc on your system. But if you have mild acne (lucky you!) then there is a traditional treatment that might work for you: benzoyl peroxide.

Dermatologists have been prescribing benzoyl peroxide creams and gels for about 40 years. It is considered the "gold standard" of acne treatment. It works in two ways. First, it is an antibiotic (peroxide) that kills the P.acnes bacteria. People who want to avoid antibiotics because of the fear of creating resistant bacteria can rest easy - benzoyl peroxide does not produce resistant bacteria. Killing the P.acnes bacteria can help to prevent your blackheads and whiteheads from becoming infected and turning into full-blown pimples. The second feature of benzoyl peroxide is that it actually helps to unclog blocked pores. So not only does it help prevent pimples, it can actually help to clear blackheads and whiteheads as well.

Here's the rub. Dermatologists and drug companies make a lot of money selling prescription strength benzoyl peroxide in the 10% range. You can even find dermatologists on the internet promoting the idea that you can "work your way up" to a stronger formulation as your skin gets "used to it."

Here is the truth: clinical studies have proven, beyond a doubt, that 2.5% benzoyl peroxide works JUST AS WELL as the stronger concentrations. The great thing is, you can buy 2.5% benzoyl peroxide over the counter at your drug store or supermarket without a prescription. So don't be fooled by marketing that preys on the common wisdom "stronger is better." In this case, stronger means much harsher for your skin but no better in actually treating your acne.

So, if you have mild acne, you should absolutely give a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide topical acne treatment a try. Apply it twice per day in a very thin layer after you have washed your face. Check out my hub on "Acne Prone Skin care" http://hubpages.com/hub/acneproneskincare to find out about the proper way to wash your face.It can take a month or two for you to notice any difference so keep going.

Here's a tip: use salicylic acid pads before the benzoyl peroxide. These pads, which are non-prescription and available over the counter, don't do much on their own, but when combined with benzoyl peroxide, they form a potent one-two punch. Salicylic acid helps the benzoyl peroxide to penetrate deeper into your blocked pores, significantly improving its effectiveness.

Now that you know that benzoyl peroxide is still fairly effective after all these years, you may be tempted to buy washes, soaps and scrubs that contain benzoyl peroxide as the "active ingredient." Don't be fooled. Anything you rinse from your face after a few seconds isn't going ot do anything for you. Stick to the creams and gels and don't waste your money on those other products.

So is 2.5% benzoyl peroxide for everyone? Not at all. Many acne sufferers have found it to be a complete waste of time if they have moderate to severe acne. It is really only helpful if you have mild acne that tends to be at the surface of your skin. If you get deep nodules or cystic acne, it is not the treatment for you. Also, keep in mind that it is not a cure for acne. If you stop using benzoyl peroxide, your acne will return. Fortunately, if you stick to the cheap, over the counter stuff, it won't cost you a lot of money even over the long term.

If you have moderate to severe acne or you have acne that doesn't respond to benzoyl peroxide, I recommend looking into the holistic alternatives before embracing harsh treatments like Accutane (recently removed from the American market). Check out my other hubs for information on this topic! Good Luck.