Acnecide Face Wash

Acnecide Face Wash 5% w/w Gel

What is Acnecide Face Wash used for?

Acnecide Benzoyl Peroxide Face Wash is an acne treatment for mild facial acne in adults and adolescents aged 12 and over.

Mild acne typically appears as blackheads and whiteheads, with few or no spots, pimples or inflamed areas.

If your acne is more severe, involves inflamed spots or larger lumps, or has left scarring, Acnecide Face Wash isn’t the right treatment for mild acne and you should speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Acnecide isn’t intended for acne on the shoulders, back or chest.

How does Acnecide Face Wash work?

Acnecide Face Wash 5% contains the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial ingredient that works by killing the bacteria responsible for acne. The bacteria it targets, Propionibacterium acnes, is one of the main causes of acne.

Benzoyl peroxide works directly on the skin’s surface. Because Acnecide is only absorbed into the body in very small amounts, it has little effect beyond the area it’s applied.

Who can use Acnecide Face Wash?

Acnecide 5% face wash is suitable for adults and adolescents aged 12 and over with mild acne of the face.

Don’t use Acnecide Face Wash if you:

• Are allergic to benzoyl peroxide or any of the other ingredients
• Have inflamed spots or larger lumps on your face, as this may indicate more severe acne that needs a different treatment
• Have scarring from previous acne spots
• Have any acne on your shoulders, back or chest
• Are under 12 years of age

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Acnecide if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding, don’t apply the gel to your chest unless advised by your doctor, to avoid your baby coming into contact with it.

How to Use Acnecide Face Wash

Acnecide Face Wash Gel is for external use on the face only. Follow these steps each time you use it:

1. Wet the area to be treated
2. Wash your hands before use, then squeeze a small amount of Acnecide Face Wash onto your hands
3. Wash the affected area of the face, avoiding contact with the eyes, mouth, angles of the nose and neck
4. The contact time with the skin should be 1 to 2 minutes
5. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry
6. Wash your hands after use

When you first start treatment, use Acnecide once daily on the affected areas of your face before going to bed. You may notice some mild burning and slight reddening or peeling of the skin during the first few days; this is normal. If you have no reaction after 2 to 3 days, you can increase to twice daily to cover the affected skin areas, applying in the morning and evening.

If you experience more severe redness, burning, irritation or peeling at any point, stop treatment and allow your skin to return to normal before restarting. If irritation continues after stopping, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Using a moisturiser after application can help reduce any irritation.

Side Effects of Acnecide Face Wash

Like all medicines, Acnecide Face Wash can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Most side effects affect the skin at the site of application and are usually reversible if the frequency of use is reduced or treatment is stopped.

Stop using Acnecide and tell your doctor immediately if you develop signs of a severe allergic reaction, including a raised and itchy rash (hives), swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue or mouth, difficulty breathing, or fainting.

Very Common Side Effects (May Affect More Than 1 in 10 People):

• Dry skin
• Skin redness
• Peeling of the skin
• Burning sensation of the skin

Common Side Effects (may affect Up to 1 in 10 People):

• Itching of the skin
• Pain or stinging of the skin
• Skin irritation (irritant contact dermatitis)

Uncommon Side Effects (May Affect Up to 1 in 100 People):

• Allergic contact dermatitis (redness, inflammation, bumps, dry and cracked skin, or a burn-like rash at the site of exposure)

If you notice any side effects not listed here, tell your pharmacist or doctor. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme.

Acnecide Face Wash Ingredients

Active ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w (as hydrous benzoyl peroxide gel)

Other ingredients: Acrylates copolymer, glycerol, carbomer 940, sodium C12–C14 olefin sulfonate, sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) and purified water.

Warnings and Precautions

• Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using Acnecide if you’re unsure if your spots are acne or not.
• Acne can be associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, poor self-image and low self-esteem. If you experience any of these, speak to your doctor.
• Don’t apply Acnecide to damaged skin.
• Acnecide can increase sensitivity to sunlight, so avoid excessive sun exposure while using it. Don’t use sunbeds during treatment.
• Avoid contact with any coloured materials, including hair and dyed fabrics, as the gel may cause bleaching or discolouration.
• If swelling or blistering of the skin occurs, stop using the product and see your pharmacist or doctor.
• Don’t use Acnecide alongside other acne treatments and benzoyl peroxide products unless directed by a doctor.
• Don’t use alongside products with peeling, irritant or drying effects at the same time as Acnecide.
• Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.