Talk to anyone about acne and the remedy they are most likely to mention is benzoyl peroxide. This is so no matter whether it’s by name or by product because, when it comes to the over-the-counter market, benzoyl peroxide is the most common of the active ingredients in the popular cleansers, gels and lotions. From the beginning of the over-the-counter boom in treatments for acne, the race has been on to find the cheapest way of solving the problem. Given the power of the condition to inflict scarring on even the toughest mind, parents have been desperate to find a remedy. If the most effective is also the cheapest, this is a big bonus.

Propionibacteria acnes, the bacteria causing acne, cannot live in an environment where there’s too much oxygen. That’s why, under normal circumstances, this common bacteria is no problem. Living either on the skin or in the pores which are fully exposed to the air, they never grow to be a threat. But, once excess oil fills the pores and traps the dead cells inside, the environment become anaerobic or oxygen poor. This is the ideal environment for explosive growth. Benzoyl peroxide is the perfect counter because it opens the pores and allows more oxygen to enter. There’s no need to pay extra and buy a packaged product. The basic "chemical" as a lotion of about 2.5% usually works best. Anything stronger can irritate the skin. If you prefer, you can start off at a lower strength and then move up to 2.5% if the first results are disappointing after the first two weeks.

The best approach is cleansing the whole face twice a day. Don’t dab the lotion on the spots. Spread a thin layer over the skin. This removes the dead skin and acts as a spot preventer across all the skin cleaned. Because benzoyl peroxide is a bleach, try not to get it on your clothes or a towel. If you are going to clean the skin on your shoulders or back, it may be best to wear an old T-shirt unless you are confident you have removed all of it before you dress. If you are going to bed at night, it can also bleach your pillow and sheets. After application, it can be a good idea to apply a moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out.

Various combinations are on the market. In recent research trials, benzoyl peroxide on its own at different strengths was matched against combinations with salicylic acid and clindamycin. Over two to four weeks, the combination with salicylic acid produced the best results. But after ten to twelve weeks, there was no real difference between benzoyl peroxide on its own and either of the two combinations. Should the acne be more severe and the over-the-counter products prove ineffective, the guaranteed treatment is Accutane. In men, there is little risk. But, if you are able to produce children, Accutane needs great care. It can damage the fetus during pregnancy. In the US, the formal approach is to use the iPledge — Accutane only used when there is proof you are using at least two contraceptive treatments. Although this may seem intrusive, it’s better to take precautions and lose the acne, not the baby. You can avoid this regime by buying online. Alternatively, there’s always benzoyl peroxide.