Glycolic Acid + Benzoyl Peroxide
Use With Caution
These ingredients can be combined, but require careful timing, lower concentrations, or gradual introduction.
Benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid can be combined for acne, but simultaneous application may cause significant drying and irritation.
What the Research Says
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is an antibacterial agent that kills acne-causing bacteria (C. acnes) through oxidation. Glycolic acid is an exfoliant that unclogs pores by dissolving dead skin cells. Together, they attack acne from two different angles - BPO reduces bacterial load while glycolic acid prevents the dead cell buildup that traps bacteria in pores. This makes the combination therapeutically logical for acne treatment.
The caution arises from the fact that both ingredients are drying and can irritate the skin. Benzoyl peroxide is a strong oxidizer that can cause peeling, redness, and dryness on its own. Adding glycolic acid's exfoliating effect on top of that can overwhelm the skin barrier, especially at higher concentrations or when first starting out. Over-stripping the skin barrier can paradoxically worsen acne by triggering increased oil production.
Another consideration is that benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizer and can potentially degrade certain ingredients. While it does not directly neutralize glycolic acid, applying them simultaneously means your skin is managing two aggressive treatments at once. Staggering their application gives each product time to work and reduces cumulative irritation.
Timing & How to Use
Use benzoyl peroxide in the morning and glycolic acid in the evening, or on alternating days. If using in the same routine, apply glycolic acid first, wait for full absorption (10+ minutes), then apply benzoyl peroxide to acne-prone areas only. Start with low concentrations of both (2.5% BPO, 5% glycolic acid).
Practical Tips
- 1Start with the lowest concentrations of both - 2.5% benzoyl peroxide is as effective as 10% with less irritation
- 2Apply benzoyl peroxide only to active breakout areas, not the full face
- 3Use a ceramide-rich moisturizer to support the skin barrier when combining these actives
- 4Benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics - be mindful of pillowcases and towels
- 5If excessive dryness occurs, reduce frequency before reducing concentration
References
- Sagransky M, et al. Benzoyl peroxide: A review of its current use in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2009;10(15):2555-62.
- Decker A, Graber EM. Over-the-counter acne treatments: A review. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(5):32-40.
- Leyden JJ, et al. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of a combination topical gel formulation of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin and vehicle gel. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2001;2(1):33-9.
