CVS Health Daily Acne Treatment Cream Versus Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion
Updated on September 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain benzoyl peroxide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
CVS Health Daily Acne Treatment Cream 11 ingredients
Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion 26 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CVS Health Daily Acne Treatment Cream 11 ingredients
Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol 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
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 is famous for fighting acne. This is because it does a variety of tasks on the skin: it helps reduce excess oil, kill bacteria, and clear out dead skin cells. In other words, it is effective at unclogging pores.
These properties make it great at fighting different types of acne, including cystic and inflammatory types of acne.
When targeting the bacteria in your pores, Benzoyl Peroxide has been shown to kill the bacteria without causing sensitivity. It also helps keep your skin's natural bacteria and biome balanced. Having a healthy biome protects your skin from external harmful factors.
Once Benzoyl Peroxide is absorbed into the skin, our bodies turn it into benzoic acid and quickly exits in urine.
When using Benzoyl Peroxide, it may be irritating for some people due to a variety of reasons, such as a broken skin barrier or just an allergic reaction. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Benzoyl PeroxideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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CVS Health Daily Acne Treatment Cream 11 ingredients
Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion 26 ingredients
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