Compare Supplements

Topical OTC use. Benzoyl peroxide is used at 2.5-10% in gels, creams, and washes, applied to acne-prone areas once or twice daily; lower strengths (2.5-5%) are usually as effective as 10% with less irritation. There is no oral or systemic dose — it is not ingested. It is often combined with a retinoid (e.g. adapalene) for greater effect. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.

Any time

Leave-on gel/cream (2.5-5%) or a fixed combination with a retinoid

Topical cosmetic only. Leave-on lactic acid is used at roughly 5-12% (lower for hydration, higher for exfoliation); professional peels use higher strengths. Apply to clean skin, often at night, building frequency as tolerated, with daily sunscreen. There is no oral or systemic dose — it is not ingested. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.

Evening

Leave-on lotion or serum (≈5-12% lactic acid)

• For topical (skin) use only — not for ingestion, not for injection
• Known allergy/sensitivity to benzoyl peroxide (true allergic contact dermatitis is uncommon but possible)
• Application to broken, severely inflamed, or sunburned skin until healed

• Topical retinoids degraded by oxidation (some tretinoin formulations)
• Other irritating actives (acids, other retinoids)

• For topical (skin) use only — not for ingestion, not for injection
• Known allergy or sensitivity to AHAs
• Active eczema/dermatitis or broken/sunburned skin until healed

• Other leave-on actives (retinoids, other acids, benzoyl peroxide)