Dr. Zenovia Skincare 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cleanser

Dr. Zenovia Skincare 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Anti-blemish
Benzoyl peroxide, Bakuchiol
Works well
What the product description says
“10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cleanser”
Source: Sephora

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

In addition, this product contains bakuchiol. It can help in reducing blemishes, even though it is less effective.

Benzoyl peroxideHeroEffect: HighA potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritating10%
BakuchiolKey activeEffect: HighA plant extract that is, though different in chemical structure, acts similar to retinoids. First studies show that it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce clogged pores and blemishes, and reduce inflammation. There is no conclusive evidence that bakuchiol is as effective as retinol however. The study that directly compared retinol with bakuchiol used bakuchiol applied twice daily compared to once per day for the retinol. According to this study, bakuchiol is less irritating than retinol. Bakuchiol is extracted from seeds of Babchi plant. Other parts of the plant contain coumarins that could cause allergic and irritant reactions. These compounds should be removed in the extraction process when bakuchiol is produced, but it is a good idea to be cautious and stay away from products that include the Babchi plant extracts other than purified bakuchiol to avoid irritation~5.4–8.1%
Cleansing
Carbomer, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate + 1 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cleanser”
Source: Sephora

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, stearic acid) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate

CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~3.9–5.8%
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin~0.4–0.9%
Stearic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~0.4–1%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Benzoyl peroxide, Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Benzoyl peroxideA potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritatingHigh10%
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~1.6–2.3%est.
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skinHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf extractTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~23–34%est.
BakuchiolA plant extract that is, though different in chemical structure, acts similar to retinoids. First studies show that it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce clogged pores and blemishes, and reduce inflammation. There is no conclusive evidence that bakuchiol is as effective as retinol however. The study that directly compared retinol with bakuchiol used bakuchiol applied twice daily compared to once per day for the retinol. According to this study, bakuchiol is less irritating than retinol. Bakuchiol is extracted from seeds of Babchi plant. Other parts of the plant contain coumarins that could cause allergic and irritant reactions. These compounds should be removed in the extraction process when bakuchiol is produced, but it is a good idea to be cautious and stay away from products that include the Babchi plant extracts other than purified bakuchiol to avoid irritationMedium~5.4–8.1%est.
Cucumis sativus fruit extractMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effectMedium~2.9–4.3%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.5–1%est.
ResveratrolHelps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin toneMedium~0.35–0.75%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Medium~0.1–0.5%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Benzoyl peroxide10%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemish

A potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritating

More about Benzoyl peroxide
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~23–34%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extract
Bakuchiol~5.4–8.1%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-blemishEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

A plant extract that is, though different in chemical structure, acts similar to retinoids. First studies show that it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce clogged pores and blemishes, and reduce inflammation. There is no conclusive evidence that bakuchiol is as effective as retinol however. The study that directly compared retinol with bakuchiol used bakuchiol applied twice daily compared to once per day for the retinol. According to this study, bakuchiol is less irritating than retinol. Bakuchiol is extracted from seeds of Babchi plant. Other parts of the plant contain coumarins that could cause allergic and irritant reactions. These compounds should be removed in the extraction process when bakuchiol is produced, but it is a good idea to be cautious and stay away from products that include the Babchi plant extracts other than purified bakuchiol to avoid irritation

More about Bakuchiol
Camellia sinensis catechins~4.5–6.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationReduces rednessReduces irritationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatory

A group of chemical compounds extracted from Green Tea. They can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Might be able to help repair sun damage and clam down inflammation in skin

More about Camellia sinensis catechins
Carbomer~3.9–5.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Cucumis sativus fruit extract~2.9–4.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect

More about Cucumis sativus fruit extract
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Parfum~1.6–2.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Genistein~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Genistein
Glycerin~1.3–1.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Maltodextrin~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil

More about Maltodextrin
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Punica granatum sterols~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Water~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Resveratrol~0.35–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin tone

Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone

More about Resveratrol
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin

More about Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
Stearic acid~0.4–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Tocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

More about Tocopheryl acetate
Ingredient list view

Benzoyl peroxide, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Bakuchiol, Camellia sinensis catechins, Carbomer, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Disodium edta, Parfum, Genistein, Glycerin, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Punica granatum sterols, Water, Resveratrol, Sodium benzoate, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Stearic acid, Tocopheryl acetate

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Dr. Zenovia Skincare10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne CleanserYOUR PRODUCTReplenixBP 5% Acne WashDifferinDaily Deep Cleanser BPO 5%Dr. Bailey Skin CareFoaming Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Cleanser
Match—45%42%38%
Price—$29.50$7.89—
Shared key ingredients—4 of 84 of 84 of 8
Key difference————
Irritancy Medium Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream CleanserPanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.

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Dr. Zenovia Skincare 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cleanser
Dr. Zenovia Skincare10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cleanser

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.