Frequently Asked Questions About Benzac Acne Treatments

How long you will have to use BENZAC® AC 5 Gel will depend on how quickly your condition improves. After you have used it for one month, you should see your doctor or pharmacist again. He or she can then check the improvement of your condition.

Benzac^® works best on mild to moderate acne. Severe cases of acne may need different treatments so it’s best to consult your healthcare professional. If you’re unsure about whether or not your acne is severe, our article Acne and Pimples: Spot the Difference breaks down the different types of acne that exist.

No, If you don’t suffer from acne, use our cleansers and moisturiser products. These products don’t have the active ingredients that are specific for treating mild to moderate acne, but are effective for maintaining clear and hydrated skin. See our full line up of complementary skincare products to find out more.

Everyone is different and so is their skin. When trying a new product, it’s always best to do a patch test first. We recommend that you try applying a little bit of the product on the area behind your ear. This will help determine if you are sensitive to the product and active ingredients before you use it on your face. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend that you only apply the Gel once daily before going to bed or consult your healthcare professional.

Benzac AC 5 Gel and Wash contains benzoyl peroxide. Unfortunately, if you’re allergic to benzoyl peroxide, you will not be able to use the Benzac^® treatment products. If you’re unable to use benzoyl peroxide, you can still benefit from our cosmetic skincare products. See our full line up of cosmetic skincare products to find out more.

It is normal in the first weeks to experience a feeling of skin tension, dryness or a burning, stinging or itching sensation, and a small amount of peeling or reddening of the skin. These effects are usually mild and will go away when treatment stops, or the gel is applied less often. Any drying or peeling which may occur to your skin may be reduced if you change the number of applications, i.e. apply once a day or once every two days, until your skin adjusts to the product. This is a common occurrence and may last up to two weeks. If you experience dryness while using Benzac^®, ensure that you are using a moisturiser after applying the Benzac^® AC 5 Gel or Wash.

Given the nature of benzoyl peroxide, you may experience some minor irritation or dryness. In most cases, this will go away as your skin becomes used to the treatment. If your skin becomes severely irritated, or severe redness, itching or peeling of the skin occurs, or you experience face swelling, discontinue use immediately and consult your doctor or pharmacist. A non-comedogenic moisturiser (one that won't clog your pores) is an effective way to help manage any dryness that may occur.

It’s important that if you are using a treatment product with an active ingredient, such as benzoyl peroxide, that you are also using a quality cleanser and moisturiser. Get into a routine and apply your cleanser, treatment and moisturiser morning and night for consistency and to help improve your results. 

You should try to avoid exposure to strong sunlight while using Benzac® AC 5 Gel or Wash. If exposure is unavoidable, use a suitable sunscreen lotion and apply Benzac in the evening.

Unfortunately, you can’t get rid of acne overnight. The process of controlling acne takes time, even for mild cases of acne. If you have mild or moderate acne, implement an anti-acne skincare routine as soon as possible. If you have severe acne or are just unsure about what will work best for your skin, speak to a healthcare professional to seek advice. To get the basic overview of what acne is and how to treat it, check out our article 10 Facts You Need to Know About Acne.

The treatment for these areas is the same as for facial acne. For mild acne on your chest, back or shoulders, you can use the Benzac AC 5 Wash in the shower.

Acne scarring is caused by severe acne, but it can also be caused by picking, popping and/or over exfoliating. Although tempting, do not pick or pop your acne. This causes it to become a sore that can then leave a scar once healed. The best thing you can do to keep scarring at bay is to effectively treat any existing acne with a therapeutic treatment product, such as our Benzac^® AC 5 Gel or Wash treatment. If you are suffering from severe acne and are concerned about acne scarring, please seek medical advice from a healthcare professional.

Benzac^®, unfortunately, does not help with removing blemishes or acne scars.

Benzoyl peroxide is a medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. When applied to the skin, it penetrates deeply, killing acne-causing bacteria living inside the pore.

Yes, acne treatments containing benzoyl peroxide are effective in treating mild acne. Because of its drying effects, it’s also important to use a cosmetic cleanser and moisturiser.

No, you can purchase Benzac^® products on shelf at the skin care aisle.

Find a store near you in the Where to buy Benzac^® page.

Benzoyl peroxide can stain or even “bleach” fabrics. Because of this, when you are using products that contain benzoyl peroxide, always wash your hands thoroughly after use.  If you are leaving benzoyl peroxide treatment gels on overnight, try sleeping on an old pillowcase slip to avoid staining your good linens. You can read more about this in our Tips for Parents article.