What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Methyl Abietate
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%, Water, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract, PEG-40 Stearate, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Alcohol Denat., Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Methyl Abietate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Alternatives
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 CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
