Skin Care stocks over-the-counter acne treatments and everyday skin and lip products. Choose from benzoyl peroxide washes, creams and spot gels, medicated pads, pimple patches, lip balms and lip ointments, plus rosehip oil and liquid bandages, from PanOxyl, Neutrogena, Oxy, Stridex, Blistex and more.
Choosing an acne product
Most of the acne range is built on three actives. Read the leaflet before you start and stop if your skin becomes very irritated.
- Benzoyl peroxide in 2.5%, 4%, 5% and 10% strengths. Lower strengths are often enough and tend to irritate less, so PanOxyl Creamy Wash 4% is a gentler start than PanOxyl Foaming Wash 10%. Benzoyl peroxide can bleach towels and pillowcases.
- Salicylic acid pads such as Stridex and Neutrogena Rapid Clear, quick to swipe over the face, chest or back.
- Sulfur, in De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment.
Washes suit larger areas like the back and chest because they are rinsed off. Leave-on gels and creams such as Rugby Acne Cream go on individual spots. For single spots, patches like the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch or PanOxyl Overnight Spot Patches cover the spot and keep fingers off it.
Lips and everyday care
Blistex Lip Balm, Medicated Mint Balm, Lip Ointment and Lip Serum, along with Aquaphor Lip Repair, cover dry and chapped lips. Life-flo Rosehip Seed Oil and the Source Naturals Skin Eternal cream and serum are cosmetic moisturisers, and New Skin Liquid Bandage seals small cuts and scrapes.
Use every medicine in this range as its label directs. Ask a pharmacist before combining two acne actives, and see a GP if acne is severe, painful or leaving scars. If you would rather add nutrients to your diet, see Beauty Supplements.
Skin Care: your questions answered
Which benzoyl peroxide strength should I start with?
Start low. A 2.5% to 5% product is the usual first choice, especially for sensitive skin, and you can move to 10% later if your skin tolerates it and the label allows.
Should I use a wash or a leave-on treatment?
Washes are rinsed off after a short contact time, so they suit large areas like the back and chest. Leave-on gels, creams and patches are better for individual spots.
Can I use a salicylic acid pad and a benzoyl peroxide product together?
Using two drying actives at once can irritate skin. Ask a pharmacist before combining them, or alternate them as the labels direct.
Do pimple patches contain medicine?
It depends on the patch. Many are hydrocolloid dressings that simply cover the spot, while some add an active ingredient, so check the pack before use.
Will benzoyl peroxide bleach my towels?
Yes, it can bleach fabric, towels and hair. Rinse well, use white towels and let leave-on products dry before your face touches a pillowcase.
