Allergic and irritant potential of benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide (BP) is shown to be a weak allergen. Of 25 guinea pigs, only 5 were sensitized in the TINA test. Before treatment, only 2 of 172 acne patients gave a positive patch test with 1% BP, but not with 0.1% BP. The following results suggest that BP is a strong irritant. The irritant potential ID50 in rabbits was 2.52%, and the IT50 was 2.31 days with 5% BP, 4.34 days with 1% and 8.35 days with 0.1% BP. 29% of acne patients and non-exposed controls had a positive patch test with 5% BP. However, only 11 of 155 acne patients had clinical signs of intolerance, which settled despite continued use in 10 cases. The possible reasons for this dichotomy are explored. Neither the irritant nor allergenic properties of BP impaired its clinical use.