Benzoyl Peroxide: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy
Benzoyl Peroxide appears on this page as a pharmaceutical product. Status on file: General sale list medicine (GSL).
This page collects reference details and legal purchase options for Benzoyl Peroxide. Under UK rules, Benzoyl Peroxide is sold over the counter.
Supply can change over time, so the status section below reflects the latest data we have. Continue below for strengths, region pages and common questions.
Facts
- Active ingredient
- benzoyl peroxide
- Forms
-
- Cream · Topical : 0.05 g/mL , 0.1 g/g , 0.2 g/50 g , 1 mg/100 g , 1.5 g/15 mL , 2.6 g/100 mL , 5 g/100 g , 5 g/100 mL , 10 g/100 g , 25 mg/g , 25 mg/mL , 30 mg/g , 40 mg/mL , 50 mg/mL , 55 mg/mL , 58.7 mg/g , 100 mg/g , 100 mg/mL , 500 mg/mL , 1000 mg/mL
- Emulsion · Topical : 25 mg/g , 50 mg/g , 50 mg/mL , 100 mg/g
- Gel · Topical : 0.05 g/g , 1 mg/g , 2.5 g/100 g , 2.5 g/100 mL , 2.5 mg/100 mL , 5 g/100 g , 5 g/100 mL , 10 g/100 g , 10 g/100 mL , 10 g/mL , 25 mg/1000 mg , 25 mg/g , 25 mg/mL , 35 mg/mL , 50 mg/g , 50 mg/mL , 100 mg/g , 100 mg/mL
- Liquid · Topical : 3 g/mL , 5 g/100 g , 5.5 mg/40 mL , 10 g/100 mL , 25 mg/g , 25 mg/mL , 40 mg/mL , 50 mg/mL , 100 mg/mL
- Lotion · Topical : 0.025 g/mL , 2.5 g/100 g , 2.5 mg/100 mL , 5 g/100 g , 5 g/100 mL , 10 g/100 mL , 12 g/300 g , 25 mg/g , 25 mg/mL , 30 mg/g , 40 mg/g , 40 mg/mL , 50 mg/g , 50 mg/mL , 55 mg/mL , 100 mg/g , 100 mg/mL
- Ointment · Topical : 100 mg/g
- Paste · Topical : 0.05 kg/kg , 35 mg/mL
- Shampoo, Suspension · Topical : 25 mg/mL
- Soap · Topical : 5 g/100 g , 10 g/100 g , 12.6 g/113 g , 100 mg/g
- Solution · Topical : 5 g/100 mL , 10 g/100 g , 10 g/100 mL
- Suspension · Topical : 10 g/100 g
- Swab · Topical : 25 mg/mL
- General sale list medicine (GSL)
- Licensing status not on file
No generic version on file
No supply disruption currently listed (NHS SPS)
Benzoyl Peroxide price estimates, the UK-licensed equivalent
Estimate, not a quote
-
2.5 g/100 g General sale list medicine (GSL) NHS SPS supply disruption listed
£0.15 per g
N/A
Price estimate
Where to buy -
5 g/100 g General sale list medicine (GSL) NHS SPS supply disruption listed
£0.13 per g
N/A
Price estimate
Where to buy -
10 g/100 g General sale list medicine (GSL) NHS SPS supply disruption listed
£0.14 per g
N/A
Price estimate
Where to buy -
25 mg/g General sale list medicine (GSL) NHS SPS supply disruption listed
£0.15 per g
N/A
Price estimate
Where to buy -
50 mg/g General sale list medicine (GSL) NHS SPS supply disruption listed
£0.16 per g
N/A
Price estimate
Where to buy -
100 mg/g General sale list medicine (GSL) NHS SPS supply disruption listed
£0.04 per g
N/A
Price estimate
Where to buy -
100 mg/mL General sale list medicine (GSL) NHS SPS supply disruption listed
£0.04 per g
N/A
Price estimate
Where to buy -
50 mg/mL General sale list medicine (GSL) NHS SPS supply disruption listed
£0.02 per mL
N/A
Price estimate
Where to buy
All forms and prices
| Forms | Price per unit |
|---|---|
| 2.5 g/100 g | £0.15 / g |
| 5 g/100 g | £0.13 / g |
| 10 g/100 g | £0.14 / g |
| 25 mg/g | £0.15 / g |
| 50 mg/g | £0.16 / g |
| 100 mg/g | £0.04 / g |
| 100 mg/mL | £0.04 / g |
| 50 mg/mL | £0.02 / mL |
as of Oct 2, 2026 · Pricing methodology
Figures shown are an estimate, based on public UK pricing references such as the NHS Drug Tariff, not a quote you can hold a pharmacy to. Real-world prices depend on the pharmacy you choose and your location, so confirm the exact price with the pharmacy before you buy. A price that seems oddly cheap next to this range should raise a red flag for an unlicensed or unsafe seller.
This medicine is available without a prescription: general sale list medicines are sold off the shelf, and pharmacy medicines are supplied after a quick word with the pharmacist.
Benzoyl Peroxide can be sold straight off the shelf in the UK. Even for a general sale list medicine, read the label before use, and ask the pharmacy team if anything is unclear. Some pack sizes of this product are kept behind the pharmacy counter and supplied by the pharmacist, so check with staff if it is not on the open shelf.
About Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medicine used to treat acne, with forms including creams, gels, lotions and washes. It is described as an acne treatment rather than assigned a specific pharmacological class here, and its action helps reduce acne-associated bacteria on the skin. A pharmacist can advise about obtaining a suitable product in the United Kingdom.
How Benzoyl Peroxide works
Benzoyl peroxide acts locally on the skin as an acne treatment. It releases oxygen through a chemical process that helps reduce bacteria associated with acne. It also helps loosen dead skin cells, which can contribute to blocked pores.
These actions help explain its role in treating acne. Its effects on the skin can also cause dryness and peeling, which are recognised in the product's directions.
What Benzoyl Peroxide is used for
Benzoyl peroxide is used for the treatment of acne. The listed indication is acne itself, rather than a separate condition or another type of skin rash.
It is a topical treatment, meaning that it is used on the skin rather than as an oral medicine. Several skin preparations are listed, including creams, gels, lotions and soaps; the product's own label describes its use on the affected area.
Key warnings
- For external use only
- Excessive drying of the skin may occur
- Bothersome dryness or peeling may require less frequent application
- If irritation or sensitivity develops with the product and sunscreen, stop both products and ask a doctor
Dosage from the label
The label lists topical preparations including creams, emulsions, gels, liquids, lotions, ointments, pastes, soaps, solutions, suspensions and swabs. The label lists gel strengths including 25 mg/g, 50 mg/g and 100 mg/g. The label lists cleaning the skin thoroughly before covering the entire affected area with a thin layer.
The usual starting dose is one application daily. The label lists a gradual increase to two or three times daily if needed or as directed by a doctor.
The label lists reducing application to once a day or every other day if bothersome dryness or peeling occurs. The directions also describe sunscreen use when going outside and stopping both products if irritation or sensitivity develops.
Main interactions
- The label describes sunscreen use when going outside; if irritation or sensitivity develops, stop both products and ask a doctor
- No specific interactions with other medicines are listed on the label
- No specific food interactions are listed on the label
Storage
No specific storage temperature, light or moisture conditions are listed for this product. Keep it in its original container, follow the storage directions on the packaging and keep it out of the reach of children.
Missed dose
A missed application does not mean that extra product is needed to make up for it. General pharmacy advice is to resume the usual schedule rather than double an application. Excessive use may worsen drying, so a pharmacist can help clarify the product's directions if the routine is uncertain.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The label does not specify pregnancy or breastfeeding data. Discuss benzoyl peroxide with a doctor or pharmacist if pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, so that advice can be matched to the particular product and circumstances.
Pharmacies near you
Use your location to open the pharmacies closest to you and ask them about Benzoyl Peroxide, the UK-licensed medicine with the same active ingredient.
Pharmacies by area for Benzoyl Peroxide (UK-licensed equivalent)
- North East · 884 pharmacies
- North West · 2538 pharmacies
- Yorkshire and The Humber · 1676 pharmacies
- East Midlands · 1307 pharmacies
- West Midlands · 1778 pharmacies
- East of England · 1860 pharmacies
- London · 3261 pharmacies
- South East · 2368 pharmacies
- South West · 1374 pharmacies
- Northern Ireland · 714 pharmacies
- Scotland · 1725 pharmacies
- Wales · 1050 pharmacies
Cities with the most pharmacies
- London · 724 pharmacies
- Birmingham · 265 pharmacies
- Nottingham · 180 pharmacies
- Glasgow · 177 pharmacies
- Leeds · 173 pharmacies
- Sheffield · 162 pharmacies
- Bristol · 148 pharmacies
- City of London · 144 pharmacies
- Manchester · 134 pharmacies
- Edinburgh · 131 pharmacies
- Bolton · 124 pharmacies
- Belfast · 122 pharmacies
- Hampstead · 121 pharmacies
- Coventry · 115 pharmacies
- Cardiff · 112 pharmacies
Frequently asked questions
What is benzoyl peroxide used for?
Benzoyl peroxide is used to treat acne. It is a topical product intended for external use only.
Is a prescription required for benzoyl peroxide in the United Kingdom?
Ask a pharmacist about obtaining benzoyl peroxide in the United Kingdom and whether the particular product requires a prescription. It is available in several topical forms, including creams, gels and lotions.
Where can I buy Benzoyl Peroxide?
Check the region and city pages linked from this hub to see pharmacies near a given city and ask them about Benzoyl Peroxide. Availability is not guaranteed at any single pharmacy, so call ahead.
Related medicines
First published October 2, 2026 · Last updated · Report an error on this page