Proactiv Renewing Cleanser Versus PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser
Updated on July 15, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 5 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 harsh alcohols or common allergens
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Proactiv Renewing Cleanser 26 ingredients
PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser 30 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
Proactiv Renewing Cleanser 26 ingredients
PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser 30 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
Water
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventDisodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
CleansingTridecyl Stearate
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientParaffin
Perfuming
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientTrisodium Sulfosuccinate
BufferingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Sulfate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%, Water, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate, Tridecyl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Paraffin, Cetyl Esters, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Trisodium Sulfosuccinate, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylate-13
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Polyisobutene
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Algae Extract
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%, Water, Gluconolactone, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate-13, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Allantoin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Phytic Acid, Algae Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
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 PeroxideWater. 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 WaterAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract is from the Roman Chamomile flower. It helps soothe the skin and contains antioxidants.
Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAPhenoxyethanol 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
Proactiv Renewing Cleanser 26 ingredients
PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser 30 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
