Jan MariniBenzoyl Peroxide 5 PercentIngredients

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.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a surfactant. It helps cosmetic products to remove all the sebum and dirt from your skin. Water can't dissolve sebum on its own because sebum contains oils. Surfactants help water get into sebum and wash off all the unnecessary stuff from your skin.

The component also helps to form a nice foam. The foam allows to spread the product evenly. which is important for good cleansing.

The component is researched quite well. Studies showed that it doesn't have any negative impact on human health if you apply it to your skin. It can be toxic only if you take SLS inside, but we doubt that somebody likes to drink shampoo or eat soap.

However, the component has its negative side. It can dry out skin or hair too much. You can suffer from this effect if you have dry skin. Plus it can make your hair less protected because natural sebum works like a barrier. Washing it off completely isn't the best idea.

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. It’s responsible for making your skin soft and improving product thickness. It makes the product easier to apply and feel richer. Though it contains the word “Alcohol” in its title, the component doesn’t belong to harmful alcohols. That’s why a product with this component can still be marked as Alcohol-free. Usually, manufacturers receive this component from coconut or palm oil.

Stearyl Alcohol creates a barrier on the skin's surface lowering the evaporation of water and making it hydrated for a longer time. This barrier helps the skin to recover after deep cleansing. It also makes the skin look smooth. Though it belongs to alcohols, it's a fatty alcohol and it doesn't make your skin dry.