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
7 cited papers across 3 countries. Multiple positive efficacy results plus regulatory backing. Our catalog highlights 7 cited papers as direct references, a curated sample from the broader body of published research that earns Benzoyl Peroxide its Strong tier (15+ studies including multiple RCTs or a large longitudinal cohort). See our methodology for how we evaluate evidence.
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
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Cited research
Barbieri JS et al. Benzoyl Peroxide-Containing Products and Benzene: Where Are We Now After Recalls, and How Should We Move Forward? JAMA Dermatology. 2025;161(8). doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.1694 — Viewpoint examining benzene formation risk in benzoyl peroxide products following product recalls; discusses monitoring and regulatory considerations for BPO safety.
Barbieri JS et al. The Role of Formulation in Benzene Formation in Benzoyl Peroxide Products. JAMA Dermatology. 2025;161(4). doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.6443 — Quality improvement study examining how OTC benzoyl peroxide product formulation characteristics affect detected benzene concentration levels.
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
U.S. FDA. 21 CFR § 333.310 — Acne active ingredients. Benzoyl peroxide listed as GRASE at 2.5 to 10 percent. Codified under OTC Monograph M006 (Final Administrative Order OTC000013), effective March 27, 2020.
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
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.