Bounce Magazine 77

MARCH 2019 | ISSUE #77
Skin care expert Geraldine Walters gives the low
down on the A-Z of what’s in your bottles...
[B] Benzoyl Peroxide
This is an ingredient that
is found in almost every zit
zapper concoction.
It’s considered the most effective over-thecounter
choice for a topical antibacterial
agent in the treatment of acne.
One of its main attributes is its ability to
penetrate into the hair follicle to reach the
bacteria that cause the problem, and then
kill them-with a low risk of sensitivity.
Because Benzoyl peroxide primarily works
as an antimicrobial this means it works to
kill acne-causing bacteria and is great for
treating papules and pustules (those larger,
inflamed bumps) because they tend to
have more bacterial overgrowth.
But if you’re dealing with blackheads you
need a different topical ingredient such as
salicylic acid.
However, one of the common side effects
of benzoyl peroxide is dry skin. Nearly
every acne treatment causes some amount
of dryness, but benzoyl peroxide can
really be an irritant and it’s common to see
peeling, flaking, redness, irritation and sore
skin. Look for a low strength such as 2.5%.
It can be much less of a problem and just
as effective as its stronger versions.
The most common mistake people make
with most acne and spot solutions is
simply overusing them, either too often or
too much. We know you’re desperate to
get that clear skin you see on Instagram
but when your products are overused,
they’ll just overly dry or irritate the skin,
leading to more breakouts as you destroy
the skin’s natural protective layers.
[B] Bromelain
A more gentle alternative to Benzoyl
Peroxide that I’d suggest you look for,
particularly for younger skins, is Bromelain.
It’s an extract from pineapple that contains
natural enzymes that break down proteins
such as keratin, (which forms your skin
and hair), and helps to provide a deepdown
exfoliation while providing powerful
anti-inflammatory action benefits, making
it perfect for problem skin. Pineapple
processing plants require their staff to
wear masks and gloves because of the
proteolytic nature of the fruit.
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