title: Topical dose justification: benzoyl peroxide concentrations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is widely utilized in acne treatment as an alternative to antibiotics against which Propionibacterium acnes becomes more resistant.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This overview examines BPO dose justification.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed, Embase® and Science Citation Index searches were conducted using the keywords "benzoyl peroxide" and "acne vulgaris".
  
  
  RESULTS
  Limited experimental data are available. However, there appears no significant difference in the efficacy of concentrations from 2.5% to 10%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The extent of free fatty acids and the percutaneous penetration of BPO may not play a critical role in acne vulgaris.
authors: University of California Medical School, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. a.brand@live.at
authors: Andreas J
authors: AJ
authors: Brandstetter
authors: Howard I
authors: HI
authors: Maibach
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D000287:Administration, Topical; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide