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EPSOLAY Cream, 5%
EPSOLAY

EPSOLAY Cream, 5%

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-blemish
Benzoyl peroxide
Works well
What the product description says
“Epsolay is a topical cream that contains a microencapsulated form of 5 percent benzoyl peroxide (BPO) to treat the bumps, blemishes, and lesions you experience with rosacea.”
Source: N/A

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.

Benzoyl peroxideHeroEffect: HighA potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritating5%
Moisturizing
Not advertised by the brand · Cyclomethicone, Cetyl alcohol + 3 more
Works

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cyclomethicone, glycerin.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cyclomethicone, cetyl alcohol.

CyclomethiconeKey active· Humectant, EmollientEffect: HighA type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer~3.6–5.4%
Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~3.2–4.7%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.1–3.1%
Cocoglycerides· EmollientEffect: LowHelp soften the upper layer of the skin and make it easier for oil and water mix together. Recently, a rising number of allergic reactions to cocoglycerides and other coconut-derived surfactants has been reported. As there is a significant overlap between frequent irritants and allergens, we flag this ingredient for attention of those with very sensitive, reactive skin~1.1–1.7%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~1.2–1.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Benzoyl peroxide
Medium risk
We flagged 6 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 irritatingHigh5%
Cetrimonium chlorideA preservativeHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
CocoglyceridesHelp soften the upper layer of the skin and make it easier for oil and water mix together. Recently, a rising number of allergic reactions to cocoglycerides and other coconut-derived surfactants has been reported. As there is a significant overlap between frequent irritants and allergens, we flag this ingredient for attention of those with very sensitive, reactive skinHigh~1.1–1.7%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~22–33%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.5–1%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~1.2–1.8%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 peroxide5%
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
Anhydrous
Not recognized
Citric acid~22–33%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Cetrimonium chloride~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

A preservative

More about Cetrimonium chloride
Cetyl alcohol~3.2–4.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Cyclomethicone~3.6–5.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer

More about Cyclomethicone
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Glycerin~2.1–3.1%
Key active
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
Hydrochloric acid~1.5–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Hydrochloric acid
Lactic acid~1.2–1.8%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Cocoglycerides~1.1–1.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Help soften the upper layer of the skin and make it easier for oil and water mix together. Recently, a rising number of allergic reactions to cocoglycerides and other coconut-derived surfactants has been reported. As there is a significant overlap between frequent irritants and allergens, we flag this ingredient for attention of those with very sensitive, reactive skin

More about Cocoglycerides
Di-glycerides
Not recognized
Phenoxyethanol~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Polyquaternium-7~0.45–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish

More about Polyquaternium-7
Water~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Silica~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Ingredient list view

Benzoyl peroxide, Unknown, Citric acid, Cetrimonium chloride, Cetyl alcohol, Cyclomethicone, Disodium edta, Glycerin, Hydrochloric acid, Lactic acid, Cocoglycerides, Unknown, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-7, Water, Silica, Sodium hydroxide

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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
EPSOLAYCream, 5%YOUR PRODUCTEucerinUreaRepair Face Cream Dry Skin 5% UreaLa Roche-PosayAnthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream with SunscreenEau Thermale AveneFace Soothing Eye Contour Cream
Match—38%38%37%
Price—$19.70—$82.00
Shared key ingredients—2 of 42 of 42 of 4
Key difference—UreaMethiconeMineral Oil
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
EPSOLAY Cream, 5%
EPSOLAYCream, 5%
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