What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 10%
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Genistein
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Punica Granatum Sterols
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Benzoyl Peroxide 10%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Bakuchiol, Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols, Carbomer, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Genistein, Glycerin, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Punica Granatum Sterols, Water, Resveratrol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) is one of the most studied and widely used acne-fighting ingredients on the market for over five decades.
It works by releasing oxygen into your pores to kill Cutibacterium acne, or the bacteria closely linked to acne breakouts. This bacteria has a hard time surviving in an oxygen-rich environment.
On top of that, BPO has keratolytic properties to help shed dead skin cells and keep pores from getting clogged.
One of the coolest things about BPO is that bacteria do not develop resistance to it the way they can with antibiotics. That's why dermatologists recommend pairing it with topical antibiotics to keep resistance at bay.
BPO is usually available in 2.5%, 5%, and 10% concentrations. Research has shown that 2.5% tends to be just as effective as the higher strengths while being more gentle on the skin.
The FDA has classified BPO as a safe and effective acne treatment. You'll be able to find this ingredient in over-the-counter products in many countries.
Just so you know, BPO is a known mild irritant. It's common to see dryness, peeling, and some redness when you first start using it. This usually goes away as your skin adjusts.
A very small number of people might develop allergic contact dermatitis from it as patch test studies show positive reactions in about 1-5% of patients.
Once BPO is absorbed into the skin, our bodies turn it into benzoic acid and quickly exits in urine. It's also worth noting that BPO will bleach fabrics and hair, so watch your towels and pillowcases!
Learn more about Benzoyl PeroxideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
