Acne and Treatment - How About Using Pepto Bismol?

Pepto Bismol is an item that is in many households. It usually comes to mind to treat upset stomach. What most people don't realize is that Pepto Bismol contains two ingredients that aid in acne treatment; salicylate and benzoic acid.

One of the main ingredients of Pepto Bismol is salicylate. Salicylate is a close relative of salicylic acid, which is a well known treatment of acne. Salicylate helps reduce inflammation, which will help reduce redness from acne. Pepto Bismol also contains benzoic acid, which is an antifungal. This means it can help clear up the bacteria causing the pimples.

Salicylic acid is a mild exfoliant and a comedolytic ingredient. Salicylic acid works to loosen and get rid of comedones and micro-comedones. It also has an anti-inflammatory quality to ease redness of inflamed areas. Many people with acne have red, inflamed pustules. Salicylic acid can help reduce the redness and inflammation. The salicylate that is in Pepto Bismol can also help reduce the redness and swelling.

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are not interchangeable. They have two very different purposes.

Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial agent. Its function is to seek out P. acnes bacteria that are within the follicles. P. acnes bacteria dwell within the follicle, causing inflammation.

Both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are lipid soluble, which means they can get through the oil (sebum) and do their respective jobs in fighting acne. Since these ingredients are lipid soluble, they can get into the follicle and do their work to fight off bacteria and loosen comedones. When the comedones are loose, they can then exit the follicle resulting in clear skin.

So, do use benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid? If you have red, inflamed skin and/ or pimples, use a product with benzoyl peroxide. The benzoyl peroxide will get into the follicle to fight off the bacteria causing the skin to react and become inflamed. If you have blackheads or comedones, then you want to use salicylic acid to loosen the comedone and prevent future blackheads.

To use Pepto Bismol, just dab with a cotton ball and apply to your entire face. Leave for 15 minutes and allow to dry completely. Then rinse with warm water. Don't scrub your skin because that will irritate it and cause redness, just rinse off the Pepto Bismol with warm water. After a few uses you should see a reduction in redness and inflammation.

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