Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Versus e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Acne Fighting Spot Gel
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
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 parabens, silicones 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
Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide 14 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Acne Fighting Spot Gel 15 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide 14 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Acne Fighting Spot Gel 15 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterSodium 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 HydroxidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide 14 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Blemish Breakthrough Acne Fighting Spot Gel 15 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide 14 ingredients
genuinely stabilized my acne, don’t get much too any breakouts anymore and i have oily acne prone skin (only con would be that it has lightened my skin over time)
Effective at fighting acne without lots of irritation
