Acne.orgTreatment (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide)Ingredients

Benzoyl Peroxide is very effective against acne. It destroys Propionibacterium acnes - a bacteria that causes this problem. That's why it works so great. It also helps to renew and exfoliate dead cells helping to make the skin cleaner. You can find this component in many anti-acne products.

BUT you should avoid this component if you have dry skin. Even people with oily skin notice that it dries the skin hard. Be careful!

Water is a great solvent. It’s neutral and doesn’t provide any strong positive or negative effects. It just helps components to mix better and to transport active components.

Butylene Glycol is a very popular synthetic alcohol. It helps the product to absorb deeper and faster. It is also a solvent for other ingredients. As for the skin benefits, it helps to attract water and helps to make the skin softer.

Unlike many other “Glycols”, it is not harmful and that's why it is used in many products. It was approved by US FDA and US EPA for usage.

Carbomer is used for formulation purposes. It helps to control the viscosity and flow of a product. It’s considered safe but only if it’s well purified. Poorly purified carbomers may contain benzol which may lead to irritation.

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative that increases the shelf life of the product. It’s a great alternative to parabens. That's why manufacturers like to use this component. It is safe in concentration of up to 10% but it is used in cosmetics in amounts of 1% or even lower.