Benzoyl Peroxide vs. Salicylic Acid: Which is Right for Your Acne?

Benzoyl Peroxide vs Salicylic Acid: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to treating acne, chances are you want results and you want them fast. Luckily, the skincare market is flooded with products that promise to clear skin, fight pesky pimples, and reach deep within the pores for quick—and long-lasting—relief. But not all acne fighters are created equally, and when it comes to ingredients, two tend to rise above the rest: benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

Both have been widely heralded as acne-clearing wonder treatments—and for good reason, their long, documented histories are impressive to say the least. But how exactly each fights acne—and the type of acne they target—are two different stories.

What is benzoyl peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide mainly functions as an antibacterial ingredient, though it also has some exfoliating properties that help remove dead skin cells. It targets the bacteria that causes acne, and, unlike with other antibacterial agents, bacteria cannot grow resistant to benzoyl peroxide, making it a popular choice amongst dermatologists and other experts.

Benzoyl peroxide is perhaps the most effective ingredient we have in treating red, angry pimples. Think of it like a fire extinguisher, putting out inflammation in the skin and lowering levels of acne-causing bacteria.

Benzoyl peroxide doesn’t come without its risks. Namely, it can be fairly irritating depending on the concentration. And no matter how well-formulated, benzoyl peroxide is notorious for bleaching clothing, towels, and any other fabrics it comes in contact with. For this reason, opt for bright white towels and pillowcases that won’t be affected.

What is salicylic acid?

Meanwhile, salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that chemically exfoliates the skin, helping remove excess oil and dead skin cells from the surface.  It does this by breaking down the bonds between skin cells and penetrating deep into the pores.

Salicylic acid is usually derived from aspirin, so it does have some anti-inflammatory benefits but works best on dry, comedonal acne such as blackheads and whiteheads. Also, for this reason, if you have an allergy or sensitivity to aspirin, you should not use salicylic acid.

Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid runs the risk of irritation, as well as redness and sun sensitivity. So while it’s always important to wear sunscreen everyday, it’s doubly so when using salicylic acid.

What is the difference between benzoyl peroxide vs salicylic acid?

Benzoyl peroxide effectively targets inflammatory acne like red pimples, pustules, and pesky cysts. Meanwhile, salicylic acid fights more mild acne, like blackheads and whiteheads (commonly referred to as comedonal acne), as well as prominent pores and oily skin.

While the two ingredients function differently, they’re actually quite complementary. We regularly recommend using both ingredients as part of a full acne-treatment regimen.

While the two ingredients function differently, they’re actually quite complementary. We regularly recommend using both ingredients as part of a full acne-treatment regimen as a lot of patients have several different types of acne at once.

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are stellar first-line, over-the-counter treatment options for acne. That being said, if you’re not seeing any improvement after a few weeks of use, We will recommend you see one of our Dermatologist at Accent Dermatology for further options and treatment.

Benzoyl Peroxide vs Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide vs Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide vs Salicylic Acid

Our Recommendations:

Benzoyl Peroxide vs Salicylic Acid

PCA BPO 5% Cleanser

A gentle and effective cleanser formulated with 5% benzoyl peroxide for antibacterial properties, and a host of botanical extracts to clear, soothe and calm acne and breakout-prone skin.

Benzoyl Peroxide vs Salicylic Acid

PCA Acne Gel

Formulated with 2% salicylic acid, this treatment gel helps clear existing breakout and prevent future acne. A unique botanical blend helps control daily oil production.

Welcome to Jett Plasma Medical Lift!

We’re excited to introduce a new treatment: Jett Plasma Medical Lift

This Jett Plasma treatment uses plasma energy, which has been used in other devices in recent years. However, we are very excited because this device is able to use the plasma energy differently, decreasing risks for adverse side effects.

The Benefits:

    • Significant increase in collagen 1 & 3
    • Proven increase in migration of fibroblasts, which increases micro-circulation resulting in improved nourishment and oxygenation of cells
    • Increase cell communication and physiology
    • The phenomenon allows water to penetrate cells and leads to their recovery and regeneration

By using the plasma technology in a non-thermal (no heat) setting, we are able to stimulate a normal biological process, which we then see:

    • Stimulated epidermal growth factors
    • Reduced wrinkles
    • Tightened skin
    • Improvement in skin tone, texture and elasticity
    • Active ingredients are able to be forced into deeper layers of the skin
    • Restores and facilitates microcirculation
    • Improved structure of reticular dermis

All of this helps in producing an environment of youth in the skin!

With the Jett Plastma treatment, we are able to do treatments with no down time, on all skin types, all year round.

The device can also be used for more aggresive Jett Plasma treatments when appropriate. This more aggressive treatment uses the plasma energy in a more focused setting, delivering the plasma energy to the top of the skin, causing a “shrink wrapping” effect. It’s excellent for tightening loose, lax skin on the eyelids, around the mouth, etc. The more aggressive treatment does include some healing down time and clients must be evaluated to make sure they’re a good candidate.

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    jett plasma
    jett plasma

    Learn more about Jett Plasma Medical Lift or Schedule a consultation today!

    SkinPen Microneedling – Transformation from the Inside Out!

    We LOVE microneedling, also known as Collagen Induction Therapy. In fact, we love it so much that if we HAD to choose just 1 treatment to have for the rest of our lives, THIS would be it! It is an amazing treatment with big results and little downtime.

    We use the SkinPen Microneedling device. Over the years, we have tried many and SkinPen is the most effective, most reliable and has the least downtime.

    How SkinPen Microneedling Works

    Essentially we stamp millions of tiny microchannels through the skin at varying depths creating tiny little wounds. This signals the skins’ wound healing process. Through that process the body stimulates new cells and new collagen and elastin in an attempt to heal the wounds. With all of that new collagen the dermis (lower level of the skin) thickens, smoothing out the top layer of skin. This process is known as dermal remodeling.

    SkinPen microneedling is safe for ALL skintypes and helps treat so many skincare concerns such as lines and wrinkles, acne scarring and texure issues such as crepeyness or bumpiness. It helps to lighten hyperpigmentation spots and even out skin-tone. It helps your skin to act and therefore look..younger.

    Most people need several SkinPen Microneedling treatments to see results, depending on their concern. We recommend starting with 3 session 4-6 weeks apart.

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    SkinPen Microneedling
    SkinPen Microneedling
    SkinPen Microneedling

    Dermaplaning vs Microdermabrasion: What’s the Difference??

    If you are a skincare professional or a skincare junkie, this post will probably bore you. But, we get this question all the time. Mostly from people who are new to skincare and in their defense, these two words DO sound very similar. So lets break it down:

     

    Dermaplaning vs Microdermabrasion:

    A physical exfoliation done with a scalpel blade. The pressure applied and amount of passes done on the skin determines how much of the top layer gets removed. Most people like dermaplaning for its ability to remove vellus hair or “peach fuzz”.

    A physical exfoliation that removes the very outer layer of dead skin. I often compare it to sanding a deck or rough wood. It smooths the surface and allows better penetration of topical products applied. Microdermabrasion is nice for treating superficial texture issues such as pore size and crepeyness and does brighten the skin to a small degree.

    There should be no downtime with either of these treatments as they are so superficial. I tell clients to expect to look and feel slightly sunburned for a few hours after IF they are sensitive or if any extractions were done with the treatment.

    Both of these treatments are offered in our Basic Membership Program. For more info or to schedule an appointment call us at (720)-420-4090.

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    ADVATx–why we love this incredible treatment for year round skin health!

    At Accent Aesthetics we have been treating our clients with the ADVATx for over 2 years. It has quickly become one of our favorite treatments as it offers results with zero down time and can be performed all year round. Below is part of an interview that explains more on why we love this treatment.

    Interview with Ms. Trina Barr

    A seasoned innovator and recognized expert in medical aesthetics, dedicating the last decade to advancing clinical outcomes and educating the market.

    So, initially you used the ADVATx for acne, did you then expand to new indications? 

    Well, initially it was acne and then vascular. I do a lot of my plasma resurfacing (I was the first to introduce the technology to the United States) and I got great results, but I was unhappy with the transient redness I used to get post-op, so I experimented with the ADVATx and I realized that if I cleared vascular prior to plas-ma resurfacing, I reduced any type of post procedure redness, so I became acutely attuned to pre-treatment vascular muting.

    Then, you had a bit of a breakthrough. Can you describe this to us?

    I began using both wavelengths in succession and I realized that the clinical end result I was getting confirmed to me that the heat generated by the ADVATx allowed me to get the type of collagen with the right ratios between collagen I and III, elastin and Hyaluronic acid. I am a firm believer that it’s not just about collagen as much as it is about achieving the right ratio! Through previous work, I discovered that, by these combination treatments, if you encompass different layers of the dermis, depending on patient ethnicity and age, and subject them to different temperature levels, fibroblasts are stimulated to produce ratios of response.

    And that’s where the ADVATx shines! 

    With it, we get this brightening effect of true transformation and health, which is what patients want when they come to us: clarity, tone, texture and overall color correction of reds and unwanted pigmentation in a way that is fundamentally different from what you get from a 532 nm KTP or an IPL.

    Now that you’ve created this advanced protocol, what do you currently use the ADVATx for?

    I use it for Esthetics. By this I mean dermal health. Dermal health first involves overall quality, tone and texture and the ADVATx is its absolute backbone. It’s the Alpha and the Omega, with its ability to target the hallmarks of unwanted inflammation, such as pigmentation, fine lines, crepe skin, enlarged pores, every sign of aging, without significant downtime: It’s the most incredible treatment I’ve offered yet to date!

    Do you call it foundational technology because you use it as a foundation to any additional treatment you might provide?

    It has become the backbone of any technology that we are offe-ring. We can literally use it to prepare the skin for any additional procedure, even the most aggressive. I can combine the ADVATx with microneedling or bipolar RF, or even fractional CO2. I pretty much use it on all my patients, from the patient just crossing over from a hydrofacial to the hardcore Esthetics enthusiast!

    Earlier, you called the ADVATx the Alpha and the Omega. Why?

    Because I use it first as a foundation to prepare the skin for other treatments (the Alpha) and then I use it for follow up treatments to remove any residual redness (the Omega). On the strength of this, I’ve trademarked “RPM 360” for restoration, prevention and maintenance, a positive feedback loop for the continuation of care for the patient.

    Call 720-420-4090 or click here to schedule a consultation to learn more about how the ADVATx can help give you your healthiest skin!

    Heliocare: SPF in a pill?

    Here in Colorado, we are constantly battling the effects of the sun on the skin. The sun is the reason we live here but it can wreak havoc, causing sun damage in the form of brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles and chronic redness. Not to mention skin cancer but we’ll leave that to the Dermatologists!

    What is Heliocare?

    Heliocare Ultra is an oral supplement taken once daily that decreases inflammation in the body and fights off free radical damage. While this is a great thing for anyone in any location, it’s especially important in a state like ours where the UV radiation is so concentrated and intense.

    heliocare

    Heliocare’s broad spectrum antioxidant blend is a rare and powerful one. It is derived from a fern native to Central and South America call Polypodium leucotomos. Once an aquatic plant, this fern had to adapt to being a land plant, therefore developing incredible resilance to the sun’s harmful rays. Taken internally it provides HUGE antioxidant and antiinflammatory protection. It even helps block DNA damage and mutation caused by UV radiation which can prevent many, many unwanted side effects.

    heliocare

    Studies confirm that the long-term use of Fernblock inhibits photoaging and cancer-forming cells, as well as a decrease in UVB-induced skin changes. We recommend Heliocare Ultra as a powerful addition to your topical skin care regime year-round, but especially in the summer months when sunlight exposure is in its prime.

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