Both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are effective treatments for acne. Which one should you use? How do you decide to use salicylic acid vs benzoyl peroxide.

First, we must understand what causes acne. Acne results from a clogged pore, with a pore being a combined hair follicle and sebaceous gland. Poorly exfoliated dead skin cells are often the initial source of the clogging. A clog pore often becomes a fertile spot for bacteria, especially the propionibacterium acnes bacteria. The pore becomes filled with sebum from the gland. A completely clogged pore results in a whitehead where the light colored fluid can be seen just beneath the surface of the skin. A partially clog pore also contains sebum, but it comes in contact with the air, resulting in a dark color or blackheads. Eventually the immune system sends white blood cells to the source of the bacteria, and the result is called a pimple or a zit.