STUDY 1 : Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of a treatment combining 1% stabilized hydrogen peroxide (HP) with a topical retinoid (adapalene) versus a treatment combining 4% benzoyl peroxide (BP) and adapalene.

Study Design: A randomized clinical trial lasting 8 weeks, involving 52 patients (mean age 25 ± 6 years, 19 men and 33 women) with mild to moderate acne.

HP and BP were applied in the morning, while adapalene was applied in the evening.

RESULTS :

Graph 1

  • Results after 8 weeks of treatment
  • Similar efficacy but better tolerability with HP + A
    • 93% reduction in total lesions with HP + A vs. 88% with BP + A
    • 90% reduction in inflammatory lesions with HP + A vs. 86% with BP + A
    • 95% reduction in non-inflammatory lesions with HP + A vs. 90% with BP + A

Graph 2

  • Fewer side effects with HP + A
    • Mean tolerability score: 2.8/3 for HP + A vs. 1.7/3 for BP + A
    • Fewer cases of redness, dryness, and burning sensations with HP + A

Conclusion

The clinical study demonstrated that the combination of stabilized hydrogen peroxide + adapalene (HP + A) is as effective as the combination of benzoyl peroxide + adapalene (BP + A) in reducing mild to moderate acne lesions.

However, HP + A showed significantly better skin tolerability. Patients using stabilized hydrogen peroxide reported less redness, dryness, and burning sensations compared to those using benzoyl peroxide.

Source

Capizzi, R., Landi, F., Milani, M., Amerio, P. (2004) Skin tolerability and efficacy of combination therapy with hydrogen peroxide stabilized cream and adapalene gel in comparison with benzoyl peroxide cream and adapalene gel in common acne. A randomized, investigator-masked, controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology, 151: 481 – 484.

STUDY 2 : Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of 1% stabilized hydrogen peroxide (HP) versus 4% benzoyl peroxide (BP) for mild to moderate acne.

A randomized clinical trial lasting 8 weeks, involving 60 patients (mean age 25 ± 6 years, 24 men and 36 women) with mild to moderate acne.

Patients applied their treatment twice daily for 8 weeks.

RESULTS :

Graph 1

  • Results after 8 weeks of treatment
  • Similar efficacy but better tolerability with HP 1%
    • 55% reduction in total lesions with HP 1% vs. 57% with BP 4%
    • 58% reduction in inflammatory lesions with HP 1% vs. 61% with BP 4%

Graph 2

  • Better tolerability with HP 1%
  • Mean tolerability score:
    • 2.9/3 for HP vs. 2.4/3 for BP (p < 0.025, statistically significant difference)
  • Fewer side effects with HP
    • Redness (erythema): 6% of patients with HP vs. 23% with BP
    • Less dryness and burning sensations observed with HP

Conclusion

The clinical study demonstrated that stabilized hydrogen peroxide (HP) cream is as effective as benzoyl peroxide (BP) gel in reducing mild to moderate acne lesions.

However, HP showed better skin tolerability, with less irritation and less redness compared to BP.

Source

Milani, M., Bigardi, A., Zavattarelli, M. (2003) Efficacy and safety of stabilised hydrogen peroxide cream (Crystacide) in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: a randomised, controlled trial versus benzoyl peroxide gel. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 19(2): 135 – 138.