Acnecide Gel & Face Wash

What is Acnecide?

Acnecide is a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne, and one of the most widely used over-the-counter acne products in the UK. Its active ingredient, benzoyl peroxide, is an organic compound that's been a mainstay of acne treatment for decades. It works on the spots you already have while helping to stop new ones from forming.

This medication is intended for mild to moderate acne. If your acne is severe, with deep cysts or widespread inflammation, a pharmacist or doctor may recommend a stronger prescription treatment instead. It's classified as a pharmacy (P) medicine. That means you don't need a prescription, but it's supplied under the supervision of a pharmacist who can check it's suitable for you. 

Acnecide comes in two formats, a leave-on gel and a rinse-off wash. Both contain the same 5% benzoyl peroxide but are used differently; the right choice depends on your skin, the severity of your acne, and your personal preference.

What Is Acnecide Gel?

Acnecide Gel is a leave-on treatment applied as a thin layer to the affected area once or twice a day. It's a white-to-off-white gel that stays on the skin, so the benzoyl peroxide keeps working continuously between applications. This makes it well-suited to targeting specific areas of acne and to treating more persistent spots. The medication comes in 15g, 30g, and 60g tubes.

What Is Acnecide Wash?

Acnecide Wash (sometimes called a face wash) is a rinse-off treatment. You apply it to wet skin, leave it on for one to two minutes, then rinse it away. It contains the same 5% benzoyl peroxide as the gel, combined with special technology that helps absorb excess oil while releasing glycerin to soothe and hydrate the skin. 

Because it's washed off rather than left on, it tends to be gentler and less drying, which can make it a good option for sensitive skin or for treating larger areas like the chest and back. Acnecide Wash comes in 50g and 100g tubes.

How Does Acnecide Work?

Acne develops when dead skin cells and excess oil (sebum) block hair follicles. Bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes feed on this trapped oil and multiply, triggering the inflammation that leads to spots.

Benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in both Acnecide products, works in a few ways. It releases oxygen into the pore, which kills the bacteria that contribute to acne. It also has a keratolytic effect, meaning it helps unblock pores and clear away dead skin cells, which reduces blackheads and whiteheads.

The gel and the wash work in the same fundamental way; the difference is how long the benzoyl peroxide stays in contact with your skin. The gel is left on to provide continuous action, while the wash delivers a shorter, gentler dose that is then rinsed away. This may make Acnecide wash a more suitable option for people who prefer a rinse-off format, or for larger areas of skin.

How Long Does Acnecide Take to Work?

It usually takes at least 6 weeks of using Acnecide for your acne to improve, so it is important to persevere with using it as prescribed. Some improvement may be visible sooner, but give it time to work properly. There is no specific difference in how long it takes to work for the leave-on gel versus the wash. 

After using Acnecide for one month, it's a good idea to check in with your doctor or pharmacist to review how your skin is responding. If you have still not seen any improvement after 2 months of use, you should talk to your doctor. You should also seek advice sooner if your acne worsens or if irritation becomes severe or persistent.

Is Acnecide Good For Acne Treatment?

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most well-established acne treatments available, and there's strong clinical evidence behind it. For example, a placebo-controlled trial involving over 600 patients found that 5% benzoyl peroxide gel reduced inflammatory lesions by 75% over a 12-week period, compared with 41.7% in the placebo group. 

A longer-term study of over 450 patients concluded that benzoyl peroxide reduced total lesion counts by around 65% at 12 weeks, rising to around 80% by 52 weeks. There was also no loss of effectiveness over time and no evidence of bacterial resistance.

Finally, an NHS-funded trial of almost 650 patients found that benzoyl peroxide was a cost-effective treatment for mild to moderate facial acne, performing comparably to antibiotic-based regimens.

Both the gel and the wash contain the same 5% benzoyl peroxide, so both deliver this active ingredient, though the leave-on gel keeps it in contact with the skin for longer. There is no direct evidence comparing the two, so it mostly comes down to preference. Everyone responds differently, and Acnecide works best with consistent daily use.

How to Use Acnecide

Both Acnecide Gel and Acnecide Wash are for external use only and may be used once or twice daily. The key difference is that the gel is left on the skin, while the wash is rinsed off after one to two minutes. Whichever you use, it helps to start slowly. Benzoyl peroxide can cause irritation at first, so beginning with once-daily use lets your skin adjust before building up to twice daily if needed.

How to Use Acnecide Gel

• Wash and dry first: Clean the affected area with a mild cleanser and water, then gently pat your skin dry.
• Apply a thin layer: Apply the gel to all affected areas once or twice a day.
• Start gently if needed: If you have sensitive skin, apply once daily before bed. You can reduce applications to once every two days if dryness or peeling occurs, until your skin adjusts.
• Wash your hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly after applying.

How to Use Acnecide Wash

• Wet the skin: Apply water to the area you're treating.
• Apply with your hands: Wash your hands, then take a small amount of the wash and apply it to the affected area.
• Leave for 1–2 minutes: Let it stay in contact with your skin for one to two minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly: Rinse off completely with water and pat your skin dry.
• Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards and replace the cap tightly.

For both products, avoid using them in strong sunlight. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a suitable sunscreen and apply Acnecide in the evening.

Benzoyl peroxide can also bleach hair and coloured fabrics, including clothing, towels, and bed linen, so take care to avoid contact with these.

What If I Forget to Use Acnecide?

Don't worry if you forget to use Acnecide at the right time. When you remember, simply start using it again as before. Don't apply extra to make up for a missed application.

What If You Use Too Much Acnecide

If you accidentally use too much, your skin may become irritated. Wash off as much as you can, and once the irritation has settled, resume use as directed. Using more than directed won't clear your acne any faster. In the rare event that Acnecide is accidentally swallowed, seek medical advice.

Acnecide Side Effects and Cautions

Like all medicines, Acnecide can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Most are mild skin reactions that tend to appear in the first few weeks and settle as your skin adjusts. They're usually reversible if you reduce how often you use the product or stop temporarily.

This section covers the known side effects, signs of a more serious reaction, and the main precautions to take.

Side Effects of Acnecide

When deciding whether a treatment is suitable for you, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the potential adverse reactions, even if there is a chance you won't experience any. The table below outlines possible Acnecide side effects to help you make a more informed decision. 

Please note that the above is not an exhaustive list of possible Acnecide side effects. More information can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the medication. 

If you experience any side effects, you can report them through the Yellow Card Scheme. This helps the MHRA monitor the safety of medicines and is open to patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Serious Side Effects and Allergic Reactions

If your skin becomes severely irritated, or you experience severe redness, itching, or peeling, or any swelling of the face, stop using Acnecide immediately and speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor immediately if you develop signs of a severe allergic reaction:

• A raised, itchy rash (hives)
• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, or mouth, with difficulty breathing
• Fainting

A serious allergic reaction is a medical emergency – call 999 or go to A&E if symptoms are severe or worsening rapidly.

Acnecide Warnings and Interactions

Acnecide is suitable for most people, but there are some important precautions to be aware of before you start, from how to protect sensitive areas of skin to which other products to avoid using at the same time.

Read the patient information leaflet for the product you're using before beginning treatment.

Precautions Before Using Acnecide

• Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, the angles of the nose, and other sensitive areas. If accidental contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
• Don't apply Acnecide to damaged or broken skin.
• Avoid repeated exposure to sunlight or UV light, such as sunbeds. Use suitably strong sunscreen when necessary. 
• Benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair and coloured fabrics, including clothing, towels, and bedding – take care to avoid contact and wash your hands after use.
• Acnecide Gel contains propylene glycol, which may cause skin irritation.

Acnecide and Other Medications

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.

Don't use products with peeling, irritant, or drying effects at the same time as Acnecide, and don't use Acnecide with other topical acne treatments unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you that you can – combining them may make your skin red and very sore.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you're pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding, don't use Acnecide unless your doctor has told you that you can. If your doctor has recommended using it while breastfeeding, don't apply it to your chest, to avoid your baby coming into contact with the product.

Frequently Asked Questions About Acnecide