Benzoyl Peroxide is dangerous and has lead to cancerous tumors in mice.

required additional labeling for all products containing the ingredient.  But what is it that has the FDA and skin care experts around the world shocked by the continued use by consumers, especially with so much documented information about the dangers of these products.  Should consumers who are concerned with healing acne symptoms take the risk and use Benzoyl Peroxide as an active ingredient?  The author examines Benzoyl Peroxide and the damages it causes to the skin as well as what alternatives exist for consumers that provide high level or results without the concern of long term health issues.

We have learned quite a bit about the skin and the dangers too it over the last decade since the FDA findings.  But let’s be honest what the FDA was concerned about over a decade ago is still extremely alarming and yet not many consumers are even aware of the dangers.  On February 17, 1995 the FDA published findings that said that Benzoyl Peroxide was changed from a category 1 (or relatively harmless ingredient) to a category 3 (causing significant concern).  The reason for the change in category was the fact that Benzoyl Peroxide had proven to cause tumors in mice.  In addition, the studies showed that Benzoyl Peroxide, in fact, had tumor initiation potential, making consumers with no pre-existing conditions at risk for harmful tumors.

The findings have caused the agency to conduct a series of long term tests to see exactly what the true potential is for developing tumors within the skin.  The FDA also admits that the tests will take years to complete and in the meantime consumers are to act at their own risk when using products that contain this harmful ingredient.  Chemical based products are often known for causing concerns and damage to the skin but recent studies show that of all the chemicals used in skin care products that largest concern is with the use of Benzoyl Peroxide.

Benzoyl Peroxide directly generates free radicals in the skin.  This causes significant concerns for users as this harms the skin’s ability to heal itself.  This leads to future concerns about premature aging and severe wrinkling.  The studies conducted show that the daily use of Benzoyl Peroxide is as harmful to your skin as laying out in the direct sun unprotected every single day.  This behavior is not one that many consumers would do anymore because they have learned about the potential damage of such behavior.  Yet consumers do not think that any skin care product would intentionally put an ingredient that can cause such damage into the products they sell.  But they do!

If you suffer from acne and acne scars the most important thing that you can do for the health of your skin is to avoid products that use Benzoyl Peroxide.  There are a series of all natural alternatives for you to use that will provide a higher level of results without any of the concerns.  Niacinamide, Vitamin C and Resveratrol are the leaders among these ingredients and should be contained in the acne treatments you use.  While many products still use Benzoyl Peroxide and only a select few industry leaders use these alternatives, the results you achieve with the natural alternatives are much more rapid and complete.  The dangers caused by Benzoyl Peroxide are far too great to risk when there are far superior alternative available.