For your skin
Kills the bacteria that cause inflammatory acne. The first thing to reach for when you have red, painful pimples.
Want the science? Keep reading ↓Mechanism of action
Releases free oxygen radicals in the follicle that are bactericidal to C. acnes.
Why we tier this strong
5 cited papers across 3 countries. Multiple positive efficacy results plus regulatory backing. Clears our published bar (Strong = 15+ studies with multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or a single large longitudinal cohort).
Layering matrix
- Vitamin Cmedium
Benzoyl peroxide breaks down vitamin C, making both less effective. Use one in the morning and the other at night.
- Retinolmedium
Benzoyl peroxide can break down retinol. Use one in the morning and the other at night, or pick a stabilized formula made to combine them.
- Tretinoinmedium
Benzoyl peroxide breaks down tretinoin unless they're in a stabilized formula made to combine them. Use one in the morning and the other at night.
Read the research
Compare with
Cited research
Huang CY et al., Comparative Efficacy of Pharmacological Treatments for Acne Vulgaris: A Network Meta-Analysis of 221 Randomized Controlled Trials, Annals of Family Medicine 2023;21(4):358-369 — BPO combinations among most effective topical regimens for acne
Stein Gold L et al., Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed-Dose Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%, Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1%, and Adapalene 0.15% Gel for Moderate-to-Severe Acne: A Randomized Phase II Study of the First Triple-Combination Drug, American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 2022;23(1):93-104 — triple-combination gel superior to vehicle and dyad comparators
Yang Z et al., Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;3:CD011154 — BPO modestly more effective than placebo, low-certainty evidence
Effects of adapalene-benzoyl peroxide combination gel in treatment or maintenance therapy of moderate or severe acne vulgaris: a meta-analysis, Annals of Dermatology 2014;26(1):43-52 — A-BPO combination yields better clinical outcomes vs vehicle gel
Leyden JJ et al., The efficacy and safety of a combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin topical gel, Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery 2001;5(1):37-42
Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.