What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Piper Angustifolium Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Morinda Citrifolia Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDiethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Isohexadecane
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%, Water, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Lactic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Piper Angustifolium Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Citric Acid, Bisabolol, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Silica, Sodium Citrate, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isohexadecane, PEG-40 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Polysorbate 80, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Stearate, Phenoxyethanol
Benzoyl Peroxide 5.5%
Water
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Reviews
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 PeroxideCapryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
