What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
Water
Skin ConditioningBehenoxy Dimethicone
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingLysozyme
Skin ConditioningCocoyl Argininamide
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMirabilis Jalapa Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCocoglycerides
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSyringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMyristoyl Tetrapeptide-13
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingBenzoyl Peroxide 2.5%, Water, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Lysozyme, Cocoyl Argininamide, Polyacrylamide, Capryloyl Glycine, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Tocopheryl Acetate, Decylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Mirabilis Jalapa Extract, Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cocoglycerides, Maltodextrin, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Beta-Glucan, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13, Tromethamine
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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water