• Confidential assessment
  • Reviewed by doctors
  • Same-day collection from your local pharmacy

Product features

  • Unblocks pores and reduces oil build-up and inflammation

  • Breaks down blackheads and whiteheads

  • You can apply it once or twice a day

What is benzoyl peroxide gel?

Benzoyl peroxide is a topical gel for those with mild to moderate acne. It’s an antiseptic that kills acne-causing bacteria on your skin. It can be effective on its own or in combination with other medications. You may also see this treatment branded as Acnecide gel, Acnecide benzoyl peroxide or in the form of Acnecide cream.

How does it work?

Acne is often caused when pores get clogged up by a build-up of oil. Benzoyl peroxide gel, also known as the brand Acnecide, helps to reduce how much oil your skin produces. This in turn helps get rid of blackheads and whiteheads, unclogging pores and shedding dead cells from the skin surface, making it harder for acne-causing bacteria to grow. Benzoyl peroxide gel also kills those bacteria helping to prevent future flare ups and reducing inflammation.

How to use benzoyl peroxide gel

You should apply the gel to clean, dry skin once or twice a day depending on how your skin reacts to the treatment. If you have sensitive skin, it’s probably best to reduce the amount of times you use it each week. Your clinician can advise on this.

Treatment results

You may start to see an improvement in your skin after 4-6 weeks, so it’s important to continue with the treatment. After 12 weeks, you’ll know if the treatment has made a real difference to your acne.

If you have sensitive skin, it may be best to only apply the gel at night as it can dry out the treated area. You may even try applying the gel once every other day until your skin gets used to the treatment.

Side effects of benzoyl peroxide gel

As with all medications, some people may experience side effects when using benzoyl peroxide gel. These include a mild burning sensation, redness, dryness, and peeling skin. Bear in mind that benzoyl peroxide gel is likely to bleach hair, and fabric like towels and bed linen.

Benzoyl peroxide gel for acne is likely to make your skin more sensitive to sunlight during use. So, try to protect yourself from the sun, use oil-free SPF 50 sunscreen, and avoid sunbeds or sun lamps.

For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the patient information leaflet. If you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.

Medication

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A clinician will review your answers and, if suitable, prescribe treatment

Prescription delivery

Choose next-day delivery, or click & collect from your local pharmacy

Benzoyl peroxide gel FAQs

  • How long does benzoyl peroxide gel take to work?

    How long you’ll need to use benzoyl peroxide gel will depend on how quickly your acne improves.

  • Who can take benzoyl peroxide gel?

    You shouldn’t use benzoyl peroxide gel if you’re allergic (hypersensitive) to peroxide or any of its other ingredients, as it could cause a rash or itching.

  • Can I use benzoyl peroxide gel while pregnant or breastfeeding?

    We don’t prescribe benzoyl peroxide gel if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you think you could be pregnant, we advise taking a test before you start this treatment.

  • Where can I buy benzoyl peroxide gel (Acnecide)?

    One of our clinicians can prescribe these medications after an online consultation where we make sure treatment is right for you. It only takes a few minutes. You can obtain this from pharmacies or retail stores. However, certain benzoyl peroxide products are only available with a prescription because they include additional medications, such as antibiotics or retinoids (which act as exfoliants).

  • Can I buy benzoyl peroxide gel over the counter?

    Many popular skincare brands have products with a lower dose of benzoyl peroxide. You can buy them over the counter in pharmacies, supermarkets and shops.

  • Benzoyl peroxide gel (Acnecide) warnings

    Your clinician will share any warnings or precautions before you use benzoyl peroxide gel. Please note:

    • Avoid getting it in contact with your eyes, mouth, angles of the nose and other mucous surfaces like the lining of your nose. If you accidentally do, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
    • Don’t apply it to damaged skin like cuts, grazes and sunburn, or eczema.
    • Stop using the gel if you get swelling and blistering of the skin, which is a known side effect.
    • This product can bleach hair and coloured fabrics like clothing, towels and bed linen. So, try not to get the gel on any of these materials and wash your hands thoroughly after using it.
    • Be extra careful when applying the gel to sensitive areas of skin, for example your neck.
    • Benzoyl peroxide gel can make you more sensitive to sunlight, so avoid prolonged exposure to the sun or other sources of UV light like sunbeds or sun lamps. 

  • Does benzoyl peroxide gel (Acnecide) interact with any other medications?

    So our clinicians can prescribe an effective and safe acne treatment, you’ll need to let us know which prescription and over-the-counter medicines you’re taking regularly. This includes any medications for other skin conditions like eczema.

    While using benzoyl peroxide gel, you should avoid medications or cosmetics with high alcohol concentrations, and any that contain tretinoin, isotretinoin or tazarotene. They can make the treatment less effective, and dry out your skin or cause peeling or irritation.

  • Alternative acne treatments

    Depending on how serious your acne is and what’s causing it, our clinicians can prescribe a tailored treatment. That could mean pairing an oral antibiotic with your gel or cream. If you’re a woman with hormonal acne, your treatment could include the contraceptive pill co-cyprindiol (widely known as Dianette or Clairette). 

Delivery and collection information

  • Standard delivery (Free)

    Packages will be delivered within 2-3 working days of your order being approved.

    You’ll be contacted by your courier when they know when they’ll be delivering your package. You can update your delivery preferences in the Royal Mail app to enable delivery to a neighbour or leave in a safe place if you won't be in.

    If you’re not present when Royal Mail deliver your treatment, they will:

    • Post your parcel through your letter box
    • Deliver to neighbour
    • Deliver to your chosen safe place

    If none of these options are feasible, Royal Mail will attempt to deliver the next working day.

  • Next day delivery (£4.95)

    Mainland UK

    • Orders approved before 5pm Monday-Friday will arrive the next day (Tuesday - Saturday).
    • Orders approved up to 11am Saturday will arrive on Sunday.
    • Orders approved after 11am Saturday and all-day Sunday will arrive Tuesday.

    Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands, Channel Islands and other offshore UK destinations:

    • Please allow an additional 24 to 48 hours for offshore UK destinations

    You’ll be contacted by your courier when they know when they’ll be delivering your package. You can update your delivery preferences in the Royal Mail app to enable delivery to a neighbour or leave in a safe place if you won't be in.

    If you’re not present when Royal Mail deliver your treatment, they will:

    • Post your parcel through your letter box
    • Deliver to neighbour
    • Deliver to your chosen safe place

    If none of these options are feasible, Royal Mail will attempt to deliver to you the next working day.

  • Click and Collect (Free)

    If your order is approved by 5pm Monday-Friday, you should be able to pick it up the same day from selected pharmacies - provided they have your treatment in stock.

    We suggest you ring your chosen pharmacy before you go to collect your treatment, just to make sure they have it in stock and ready.