Benzoyl peroxide is a popular and effective acne treatment for many. If it’s working for you, you may be hesitant to try something else in hopes of sidestepping fabric stains. Or, you might conclude that it’s worth sacrificing some towels in the name of clear skin.
Either way, hold on. While you may not be able to eliminate the risk of benzoyl peroxide bleach stains entirely, these eight tips can help you reduce it.
Make sure the medication is good and dry before you get dressed. This applies even if you rubbed the treatment in well.
This can help mitigate the risk of bleach stains on fabrics, so it’s definitely worthwhile. But it may not always be enough.
Benzoyl peroxide cleansers linger on the skin even after being washed off. This is a plus for treating breakouts, but can be a headache if you’re using colored linens.
It only takes a small amount of skin oil or perspiration to transfer the benzoyl peroxide from your skin to your bedding.
This is a great option if you’re not a fan of white linens or just want to add a pop of color to your bathroom or bedroom.
But beware: While they resist bleaching from benzoyl peroxide, they are not completely stain-proof. In other words, tips on washing your hands and letting the treatment dry still very much apply.
Benzoyl peroxide can still easily transfer to clothing even if it’s dry. All it takes is a brush of a sleeve or a rub of a collar and you’ll get a stain.
Shower first thing in the morning to clean off any benzoyl peroxide residue, which will help prevent it from staining your clothes when you get dressed.
If you live in a humid or hot climate, you can’t really sweat-proof yourself. You can, however, take steps to keep sweat from getting your clothes—for example, don’t use your sleeve to wipe the sweat off your face.
Make sure to wash the benzoyl peroxide off before heading off for your workout, or wear workout gear that you wouldn’t mind getting stained.
However, it might be that your pajamas, washcloths, or towels are transferring benzoyl peroxide to other items in your hamper.
Remember, benzoyl peroxide is sneaky. It can still be on fabric even if you can’t see it.
Keep in mind that there are no other over-the-counter acne treatments that are as effective as benzoyl peroxide. If you’re considering stopping OTC benzoyl peroxide, the next best option is likely to be prescription acne medication.
Topical retinoids and/or topical antibiotics could be another option for you. They help keep breakouts under control and they don’t have the bleaching effects of benzoyl peroxide.
Summary
Benzoyl peroxide can be an effective acne treatment, but it can stain your clothes and linens.
You can avoid stains by being mindful of when you apply the treatment, using fabrics that resist stains or that you don’t care about getting stained, and keeping soiled laundry away from your other clothes.
If the staining is really a problem, talk to your provider about using another acne treatment.
