Benzoyl peroxide and isopropyl alcohol

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Keep them apart

Use them at different times of day, applying isopropyl alcohol first and benzoyl peroxide later, because combining them causes severe dryness and irritation. Isopropyl alcohol strips the skin barrier while benzoyl peroxide dries it out, making your face uncomfortably red and flaky. You can fix this by swapping the alcohol for a gentler toner or waiting longer between applications.

Benzoyl peroxide products

Proactiv Renewing Cleanser $32.54
Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 $5.43
Differin Daily Deep Cleanser $7.89
Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask
Proactiv Repairing Treatment
Paula's Choice Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment
Galderma Epiduo Gel $34.97
Galderma Benzac AC 5
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser $13.62
Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel
PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash $8.49
PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash $10.19

Isopropyl alcohol products

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion $18.00
Avène Cleanance Comedomed Anti-Blemish Concentrate
Menarini A-Ret Gel

Questions and answers

Can you use benzoyl peroxide and isopropyl alcohol together?

No, you should keep benzoyl peroxide and isopropyl alcohol apart in your routine because combining them may exacerbate dryness and irritation.

Which goes first, benzoyl peroxide or isopropyl alcohol?

Keep benzoyl peroxide and isopropyl alcohol apart because combining them may exacerbate dryness and irritation. Use them in separate routines to protect your skin barrier.

Are benzoyl peroxide and isopropyl alcohol good for sensitive skin?

No, you should keep benzoyl peroxide and isopropyl alcohol apart in your routine because combining them may exacerbate dryness and irritation.

Research on benzoyl peroxide and isopropyl alcohol

Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne
Benzoyl peroxide · The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
Benzoyl peroxide treatment decreases Cutibacterium acnes in shoulder surgery, from skin incision until wound closure
Benzoyl peroxide · Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021
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
Benzoyl peroxide · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022

Behind this pairing advice

Lovi checks every pairing with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

Nadia Kapleva, MS

Co-founder, Medical Director

Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
Alexey Shagraev, PhD

Co-founder, CEO and CTO

PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

Medical Board

Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
Aishani Shah, MD

Medical Board

Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
Asya Zubkova, MS

Medical Board

Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
Hanna Kurets, MD

Medical Board, Medical Advisor

Dermatology MD
Elina Nazarenko, MD

Medical Board

Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
Victoria Derkova, MS

Medical Board

Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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