According to some people, hydrogen peroxide has amazing acne-fighting capabilities. But it may not be the miracle cure you’ve been searching for.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is used as a disinfectant or bleach. It’s cheap, easy to find, and known for having antibacterial properties. You might already have a bottle of hydrogen peroxide somewhere in the house.

You might also have heard about using it as an acne treatment. Here’s what the research says and some alternatives you could try instead.

The theory behind using hydrogen peroxide as an acne treatment is that it supposedly kills bacteria on your skin and helps dry up sebum (oil).

Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent. This means that it can effectively kill living cells, such as bacteria, through a process known as oxidative stress.

But this means it can also damage your skin cells, including your fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are cells that play a critical role in wound healing because they help make connective tissue and repair wounds.

A 2009 study of fibroblast cells found that hydrogen peroxide may slow down the role of fibroblasts in the wound healing process. If your skin’s ability to heal is weakened, you are more likely to develop scars.

In fact, a 2005 study suggests that hydrogen peroxide interferes with wound healing and leads to scar formation. This is not good news for people trying to avoid acne scars.

In the past, doctors recommended hydrogen peroxide to help clean out minor cuts and scrapes.

While hydrogen peroxide has been shown to kill many different types of bacteria in a petri dish, there is actually little evidence that it can effectively kill bacteria inside a wound. It may even irritate your healthy cells.

Nowadays, doctors recommend merely rinsing minor wounds with water.

In terms of acne specifically, a 2003 study found a link between acne inflammation and the hydrogen peroxide naturally produced by the body.

In the study, people with acne inflammation had a significantly higher amount of hydrogen peroxide produced by neutrophils (a type of white blood cells)than people in the control group.

In the same study, when people with acne were given a drug that inhibits (blocks) hydrogen peroxide production by neutrophils, researchers observed a decrease in the inflammatory activity of their acne lesions.

You should talk with your doctor or dermatologist before trying hydrogen peroxide for your acne. Using hydrogen peroxide may interfere with wound healing and might lead to more acne scars, as discussed above.

If you decide to try using hydrogen peroxide, make sure to dilute it before putting it on your skin. Most domestic bottles of hydrogen peroxide contain a 3% concentration.

To use hydrogen peroxide on your skin, you’ll want to dilute it to a 1% concentration. Be sure to read the label carefully.

For 3% hydrogen peroxide, all you have to do is mix 2 tablespoons of water with 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide.

Once your mixture is ready, apply a thin layer to your clean face using a cotton ball. Take care to avoid your eyes. Also try to avoid getting the solution on your eyebrows or your hair because it might bleach your hair.

Rinse your face after 5 minutes and pat dry. You can repeat the process a couple of times per week. You might want to use an oil-free moisturizer if your skin feels dry.

The most common side effect of topical hydrogen peroxide is irritation of your skin at the site of contact.

Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause serious skin burns and blisters.

When injected into the body or an open wound, hydrogen peroxide can create oxygen bubbles that block flood flow and lead to an embolism. This can be fatal.

There is also a risk of having a serious allergic reaction to hydrogen peroxide.

There’s no evidence that hydrogen peroxide can safely and effectively cure acne.

In reality, hydrogen peroxide may actually increase scarring on the skin by interfering with the wound healing process. It can also cause skin irritation and burns if used at too high of a concentration.

It’s best to stick with using hydrogen peroxide as a cleaning product for household surfaces.

Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, is a similar compound that has been shown to be effective against acne. Benzoyl peroxide isn’t water soluble and forms a film when applied to the skin. You can find products containing benzoyl peroxide online and in stores.

If you’re worried about your acne, it’s best to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a specialist who can work with you to find a treatment or a combination of a few treatments that may work best for you.