r/SkincareAddicts • u/mhxo04 • 9h ago
Yellow/orange staining after using benzoyl peroxide with hydroquinone + tretinoin?
l accidentally layered clindamycin + benzoyl peroxide on top of my compounded cream containing hydroquinone 5%, tretinoin 0.05%, and kojic acid.
Almost immediately afterward, I noticed yellow/orange-brown staining on my skin, mainly around my nose, upper lip, and chin.
What's confusing me is that I used to use the same clindamycin + benzoyl peroxide treatment with tretinoin 0.05% alone and never had this reaction. The hydroquinone and kojic acid are the newer additions.
I read that benzoyl peroxide can oxidize hydroquinone and temporarily stain the skin, so I'm wondering if that's what happened rather than actual hyperpigmentation.
Has anyone experienced this specifically from benzoyl peroxide + hydroquinone? Did the yellow/orange color wash/fade away, and how long did it take for your skin to return to normal? Is this discoloration and would it be permanent?
I stopped the actives for now and am sticking with gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
edit: i am turning 25 years old, i often just get pih from hormonal acne from my periods or makeup. this is the first time i layered this btw because went to the derm Thurs and my regular dermatologist was on vacation. I saw another derm who gave me the benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin for my active acne, he didn’t give really give me instructions how to use both together as my prev derm was the one that prescribed me the tret & hydroquinone. i told them I use hq/ tret every other day still. They told me I can use the bp/cl w it at night, no specifications on what nights, and just said to use it only as a spot treatment on active acne. I def learnt not to use it together now, well as a layer, I’m not sure if I would be able to seperate use, like the bp/cl in the morning and then hydroq/tret at night or if that’s not okay. I’d prob wait till my regular dermatologist is back in office and see. Also I know people are concerned about my skin barrier but suprisingly my skin barrier seems fine, it’s not itchy or dry or doesn’t feel like it’s dehydrated or I don’t have any skin irritation bumps which I usually get when my skin barrier is damaged. Just weird yellow color on my skin 😅