Benzoyl peroxide comes as a wash or a gel you leave on, so the word "treatment" is doing more than one job on the shelf. Check which kind you have before building your routine. The order above is general guidance; follow your product's directions or your dermatologist's instructions if they give you a specific plan.23

How to apply benzoyl peroxide and moisturizer

  1. 1Wash your face without scrubbing. If your benzoyl peroxide product is a wash, use it according to its directions and rinse it off.
  2. 2If you use a treatment you leave on, apply the directed amount. For ongoing acne treatment, spread a thin layer across acne prone skin rather than treating only visible blemishes.
  3. 3Follow with moisturizer. Choose a product labeled noncomedogenic, meaning it is designed not to clog pores, or oil free.
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Should you use it morning or night?

Use the schedule on your product or the one your dermatologist gave you, rather than choosing a frequency based on moisturizer order. How much acne medication you apply and how often you use it affect treatment. A cleanser and a treatment you leave on are different formats, so do not assume they have identical directions. Repeatedly applying benzoyl peroxide to the same spot can dry or irritate the skin.34

Do you still need moisturizer?

Yes, moisturizer belongs alongside benzoyl peroxide because the treatment can be drying and irritating. Oily skin is not a reason to rule moisturizer out. Look for acne friendly labeling rather than choosing a heavy, greasy cream. A label saying "noncomedogenic" gives you something useful to shop by, rather than asking you to assess the jar's confidence. If a moisturizer seems to worsen breakouts, try a different product with suitable labeling.1235

What if benzoyl peroxide irritates your skin?

For sensitive skin, choose a lower concentration rather than assuming the strongest product is the best fit. Benzoyl peroxide products are available in concentrations from 2.5% to 10%. Lower concentrations and wash formulations are less irritating options. Applying moisturizer first is not the standard order described here; if the usual routine is uncomfortable, discuss the strength or format instead of relying on a layer change to solve irritation.124

Possible side effects include burning, stinging, dryness, redness, peeling and irritation. Contact allergy is uncommon but possible. Stop using the product and get medical advice if you suspect an allergic reaction or develop significant irritation. Benzoyl peroxide can also stain or bleach fabrics, so keep that in mind around towels, clothing and bedding.6

What if you also use prescription acne treatment?

Keep your prescribed routine intact. Benzoyl peroxide is a recommended acne treatment and is used in combination treatment plans. Adapalene can be used alongside benzoyl peroxide, but tretinoin breaks down when benzoyl peroxide is present. If you use tretinoin, ask your prescriber how to schedule the products rather than applying them together. Moisturizer order does not resolve that compatibility issue.367

How long should you give the routine?

Give an acne treatment at least four weeks to work. Improvement often appears within four to six weeks, while clearing can take two to three months or longer. Keep using an effective treatment to help prevent new breakouts. See a dermatologist for deep, painful blemishes that can scar, or acne that has not cleared with treatment available without a prescription.3

Where this answer comes from

  1. 1How Do Pimple Patches Work?health.clevelandclinic.org
  2. 2Acne: Types, Causes, Treatment & Preventionmy.clevelandclinic.org
  3. 39 things to try when acne won’t clearaad.org
  4. 4Tips To Help Get Rid of Pimples Fasthealth.clevelandclinic.org
  5. 5search.aad.orgsearch.aad.org
  6. 6Acne Management: Guidelines From the American Academy of Dermatologyaafp.org
  7. 7Acne clinical guidelineaad.org