Acnecide Wash 5%

Acnecide face wash is a rinse-off medicated wash containing 5% benzoyl peroxide, used to treat acne on the face, chest or back. Like Acnecide gel, it kills the bacteria linked to acne and helps unblock pores. The difference is that you rinse the wash off after 1 to 2 minutes, while the gel is left on the skin. Some people find the wash easier to use on larger areas. We supply it to adults aged 18 and over.

Wet the area you want to treat, then place a small amount of Acnecide face wash onto your hands and use it to wash the affected area. Leave it in contact with the skin for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry. Use it once or twice a day. If your skin becomes irritated, use it less often. A little goes a long way — using extra product will not clear spots faster but is likely to cause more irritation. Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, and nostrils during use.

Acne treatments take time to work, and NICE recommends reviewing treatment after 12 weeks, so keep using it every day. If your acne hasn’t improved by then, or gets worse, speak to one of our prescribers, who can suggest another treatment.

It’s only on your skin for 1 to 2 minutes, but dryness, redness, peeling and a burning feeling are still very common (more than 1 in 10 people). If your skin gets sore, use it less often, or stop for a day or two until it settles, then restart less often.

Yes — benzoyl peroxide can bleach or discolour fabrics, including towels, flannels, and clothing if they come into contact with it. To avoid this, rinse your skin very thoroughly after using the face wash and make sure no product residue is left on your skin before drying your face. Consider using a white or old towel to pat your face dry, and rinse the sink thoroughly after use to remove any traces of the product.

Only if a prescriber or pharmacist has recommended it. It can be used with treatments such as an antibiotic tablet, but don’t use it with another benzoyl peroxide product (such as Acnecide Gel, Duac or Epiduo) or with drying or exfoliating products (AHAs, BHAs, retinol or scrubs), as these increase dryness and irritation.

Yes, benzoyl peroxide can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, even in a rinse-off wash. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and don’t use sunbeds while using it. When you can’t avoid strong sun, use a sunscreen and cover up.

The leaflet says not to use it if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor says you can, and not to apply it to your chest if you’re breastfeeding. We don’t supply acne treatments online if you’re pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding: please speak to your GP or a pharmacist.

Yes. Acnecide Wash is a pharmacy (P) medicine rather than a prescription-only one, so you can buy it online from Access Doctor without a prescription. Prices start from £16.99, depending on the pack size. Choose your pack on this page and complete a short online questionnaire so our pharmacy team can check it’s suitable for you; your order is then dispensed and dispatched from our UK pharmacy. No GP appointment or prescription is needed.