What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSambucus Nigra Fruit Juice
AstringentSpiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%, Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Carbomer, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Zinc PCA, Laureth-4, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Juice, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Sulfite
Salicylic Acid 1%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCamphor
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Denatonium Benzoate
Masking
Salicylic Acid 1%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Camphor, Sodium Hydroxide, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Denatonium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
