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Galderma Benzac Benzoyl Peroxide Spots Treatment Gel 5% Versus Ellana Mineral Cosmetics Calm Down AHA/BHA Acne Spot Gel

Facial Treatment
Serum
Swiss Brand Switzerland
Filipino Brand Philippines

Updated on March 25, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe . They have a total of 1 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Benzac Benzoyl Peroxide Spots Treatment Gel 5%
Dimethicone Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
1 / 0 Silicon Icon
SiliconSilicon Icon

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate Cleansing, Foaming, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Hydrated Silica Abrasive, Absorbent
Exfoliant Icon
ExfoliantExfoliant Icon

Hydrated Silica is a type of silicon dioxide. It is called 'hydrated silica' because it is silica with extra bonded water atoms.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Methylparaben Preservative
0 / 0 Preservative IconParaben IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon ParabenParaben Icon 2 Concerns

Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Poloxamer 182 Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Poloxamer 182.

Unknown Full details ->
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

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.

Calm Down AHA/BHA Acne Spot Gel
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Protease Skin Conditioning

These enzymes break down protein into smaller peptides and amino acids. They also encourage the formation of new protein.

Chamomilla Recutita Extract Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps reduce irritation Icon
Helps reduce irritationHelps reduce irritation Icon

Chamomilla Recutita Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Centella Asiatica Extract Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon
2 Benefits

Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract comes from the Japanese Knotweed plant native to Japan, Korea, and China.

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract Astringent, Humectant, Soothing
Good for Scar Healing Icon
Good for Scar HealingGood for Scar Healing Icon

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps fight Acne Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon 5 Benefits

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Bleaching, Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Good for Dark Spots Icon
Good for Dark SpotsGood for Dark Spots Icon

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Masking, Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon
2 Benefits

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Antimicrobial, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.

Dipropylene Glycol Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Disliked Full details ->
Boswellia Serrata Gum Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Fragrance Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon

Boswellia Serrata Gum is a fragrance.

Unknown Full details ->
Polyurethane-35

We don't have a description for Polyurethane-35.

Unknown Full details ->
Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

Disliked Full details ->
Saccharum Officinarum Extract Moisturising, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is also called sugarcane extract. It is a moisturizing humectant and has skin soothing properties.

Citrus Medica Flower Extract Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Citrus Medica Flower Extract is an antioxidant.

Unknown Full details ->
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Seed Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Seed Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Pyrus Malus Pulp Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Pyrus Malus Pulp Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
BHABHA Icon PreservativePreservative Icon 5 Benefits 4 Concerns

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Sorbitan Caprylate Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Sorbitan Caprylate.

Unknown Full details ->
Propanediol Solvent

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Benzoic Acid Masking, Preservative
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Loved

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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Benzac Benzoyl Peroxide Spots Treatment Gel 5%
2
1
5
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Calm Down AHA/BHA Acne Spot Gel
12
2
3
6
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

168 Routines
32% use in am
68% use in pm
76% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
1 Routine
0% use in am
100% use in pm
100% use every on_specific_days

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Galderma Benzac Benzoyl Peroxide Spots Treatment Gel 5% 9 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Sticky (1) Works Well (1)
wthtay's avatar

Taynara Motta

12 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

HG
I had a really really bad hormonal acne breakout last year bc I had to stop taking birth control pills and absolutely nothing worked. I'm to...

HG
I had a really really bad hormonal acne breakout last year bc I had to stop taking birth control pills and absolutely nothing worked. I'm to blame tho because I was trying way too many things all at once (I had never dealt with acne before and was desperate lol) and had a damaged skin barrier. From February til May I was working on getting my skin barrier good and healthy again so I wasn't using any actives and since June I've been using this gel. My skin is so clear right now, even though it's been only two months! It's not as irritating (and as drying) as you would expect considering it's benzoyl peroxide. Because I had to stop taking birth control pills, my skin oiliness increased a lot due to hormonal imbalances at the time and I also had a fungal acne breakout and this gel has also helped in 100%.

SpaceyTrxsh's avatar

SpaceyTrxsh

7 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Out of all the acne products I've tried this is the only one that helped with my inflamed acne. Now I have zero active acne on my face thanks to this.

Ellana Mineral Cosmetics Calm Down AHA/BHA Acne Spot Gel 23 ingredients

Calm Down AHA/BHA Acne Spot Gel hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now