Does benzoyl perozide darken the skin?

I used 5% benzoyl peroxide anti-acne cream for four days. It appears to have darkened my skin. Is this natural? (If it's of any relevance, I am Asian.)

Does benzoyl perozide darken the skin?
i work in a pharmacy and benzoyl perioxide and it could darken the skin..it could give you a sun burn..Not necessarily a sun burn..but if you go tanning or are out in the sun for a long period of time..it can actually make your face a bit dark or red..you should try putting sun tan lotion on after the benzoyl..Also i use it and it hasnt taken the affect on me yet however my face gets extremely over dried out and it does start to burn...No matter how much lotion you put on it doesnt get better...So i would recommend stop using it and speak to your doctor
Reply:I'm actually allergic to benzoyl peroxide, so I can't tell you for sure, but I don't think it's supposed to. My mom uses benzoyl peroxide religiously and so do many other people I know, and they have never had any darkening of the skin. However, it MAY be normal, so don't worry too much. Try doing some research online for side effects of benzoyl peroxide and it should tell you! If not, you could always call your doctor and ask him/her. Good luck!
Reply:I don't believe that it darkes the skin but it sure does dry it out really bad and that may cause it to appear darker
Reply:I had to use benzoyl peroxide when I had to take anti-manic medicine. Anti-manic medicine changes hormone activity. I got pimples from those changes in hormone activity. The benzoyl peroxide did not clear my face from pimples. It did burn and peel my skin as if it causes sunburns. It probably damages the skin like ultraviolet radiation does when one is too exposed to natural sunlight. The darkening is not natural because the cream is not natural. If you have acne, good luck. There really is no hope for acne sufferers. Better yet, stop taking medicine so that you can stop using anti-acne cream.
Reply:Its actually a bleaching agent (used in denture cleaner, tooth whiteners). Applied to a "horrid age spot" and it will cause the spot to fade. A person can be hypersensitive to peroxides and the skin would be reddened, but not likely darkened.