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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 OTC use. Leave-on and wash-off acne products contain 0.5-2% salicylic acid, applied to affected areas once or twice daily and built up as tolerated; professional peels (20-30%) are applied in-office. There is no oral or systemic dose in this context — it is not ingested (and large-area/high-concentration use can cause systemic salicylate absorption, so follow label limits). This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.

Any time

Leave-on or wash-off acne product (0.5-2% salicylic 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/sensitivity to salicylates or aspirin
• Do not apply to large body-surface areas at high concentration (risk of systemic salicylate absorption / salicylism)

• Other leave-on actives (retinoids, AHAs, benzoyl peroxide)
• Oral salicylates / anticoagulants (only if extensive high-strength use)