{"product_id":"5-benzoyl-peroxide-cleansing-bar-non-soap-unscented","title":"5% Benzoyl Peroxide Cleansing Bar (non-soap) - Unscented","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA full acne treatment, dialed back to where your skin can actually tolerate it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost benzoyl peroxide products are sold at 10% because higher has always been marketed as stronger. DermaHarmony's 5% Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) Cleansing Bar takes a different position: it's a full-strength, FDA monograph acne treatment formulated at the concentration clinical research points to as the better everyday choice for most skin — effective against inflammatory acne, without the level of dryness and peeling that drives people to quit 10% treatments in the first few weeks. Think of it as a bar-format alternative to a liquid BPO face wash or BPO cleanser: same active ingredient, same acne-fighting mechanism against blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples — just without the bottle, pump, or filler water. If you'd rather start at the maximum concentration, DermaHarmony also makes a 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Cleansing Bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenzoyl peroxide (BPO) is one of five active ingredients recognized as generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for acne under the FDA's OTC topical acne drug monograph, permitted at 2.5% to 10% concentration. It works by reducing the population of acne-causing bacteria on the skin and helping clear the dead skin cells that clog pores — the combination that makes it effective against inflammatory acne: the red, pus-filled bumps known as pustules, papules, cysts, and nodules.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy 5%, not 10%?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor decades, the working assumption in acne treatment was that more benzoyl peroxide meant faster, more complete clearing. A landmark double-blind clinical study challenged that assumption directly: comparing 5% and 10% benzoyl peroxide head-to-head, researchers found the two concentrations equally effective at reducing inflammatory acne lesions — but the 10% group experienced significantly more dryness, redness, and peeling. The bacterial knockdown also happens fast at both strengths: within the same roughly 30-second contact window in-vitro, meaning a rinse-off bar doesn't need the higher concentration to do its job. That's the case for 5% as a genuine treatment option rather than a \"starter\" or diluted version of the real thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're the only FDA-registered manufacturer offering a dedicated 5% BPO bar in \u003cem\u003ebar-form\u003c\/em\u003e — every other 10%-and-under bar-format competitor we're aware of sells 10% only. Worth knowing: prior to 2023, competitive 10% BPO bars sold in the US all came from a single Canadian manufacturer, using a tallow-and-glycerin soap\/syndet hybrid formula. That manufacturer has since closed, forcing those brands to reformulate elsewhere. DermaHarmony has never used that formula or that supply chain — our bars have been built to our 100% soap-free syndet specification the entire time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Makes This Bar Different\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrue non-soap syndet formula. No sodium tallowate, no lye-based soap chemistry, no alkali salts raising the bar's pH. The cleansing system is built on coco glucoside, sodium isethionate, and sodium cocoyl isethionate — three plant- and mineral-derived surfactants chosen for mildness, not cost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuffered with lactic acid. A naturally derived AHA that gently supports pH balance and light exfoliation on every wash, working alongside the benzoyl peroxide rather than against your skin barrier.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColored for a reason, not decoration. Real iron oxide minerals give the 5% bar a distinct orange-tan tone specifically so you can tell it apart from the uncolored 10% bar at a glance — useful if you keep both in rotation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStructured with fatty acids, not starch filler. Coconut fatty acid and stearic acid give the bar its firmness and long wear. Some competing bars bulk up with dextrin and salt purely to stretch the bar further; ours doesn't need it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo microplastics. We don't use Ethylene\/VA Copolymer (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer), an ingredient flagged as a microplastic that shows up in some competing acne washes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo cocamidopropyl betaine. A surfactant linked to contact-allergy and irritation concerns in a meaningful share of users — left out of this formula entirely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManufactured in the USA. Formulated and produced domestically.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA wash-in-place-of-soap format. No bottle, no pump, no liquid filler diluting the active ingredient — just benzoyl peroxide, a mild cleansing base, and enough structure to last.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHave tried 10% benzoyl peroxide and found it too drying, too irritating, or hard to stick with past the first few weeks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHave mild to moderate inflammatory acne — red bumps, pustules, or the occasional cyst — rather than primarily blackheads and whiteheads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant a benzoyl peroxide product but have naturally dry, sensitive, or reactive skin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrefer to start at a lower, clinically supported concentration and step up to 10% only if needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant a bar-format cleanser instead of a liquid wash that's mostly water and filler\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre looking for a syndet (non-soap) formula because traditional soap leaves your skin feeling tight or stripped\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant a benzoyl peroxide product without microplastics or tallow-derived ingredients\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse benzoyl peroxide on body acne (chest, back, shoulders) where a bar is easier to apply evenly than a bottle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWondering how benzoyl peroxide compares to DermaHarmony's other acne actives? Here's \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehow it stacks up.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenzoyl Peroxide vs. Sulfur\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSulfur and benzoyl peroxide both treat acne, but they work on different mechanisms. Sulfur dries and helps clear blemishes through a gentler, pore-level action and is generally the better tolerated option for reactive or easily irritated skin — it won't bleach fabric, either. Benzoyl peroxide goes further against inflammatory, bacteria-driven acne, which is why it's the stronger choice for red, pus-filled breakouts rather than surface blackheads and whiteheads. If dryness is your main concern and your acne is mostly non-inflammatory, DermaHarmony's 10% Sulfur with Tea Tree Oil Bar Soap is worth trying first or in rotation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenzoyl Peroxide vs. Salicylic Acid\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that works inside the pore, breaking down the buildup that causes blackheads and whiteheads. It doesn't have the antibacterial action that makes benzoyl peroxide effective on inflammatory acne, but it's typically gentler and better suited to daily long-term maintenance once an active breakout is under control. A common routine: use this 5% BPO bar to bring an active flare-up down, then switch to a salicylic acid bar for ongoing pore maintenance. FDA guidance advises against layering multiple topical acne actives on the same area at the same time unless a doctor directs it, since the combined drying effect can be more than either ingredient alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Note on Dryness \u0026amp; Irritation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenzoyl peroxide dries and peels skin as part of how it works — that's true at 5% as well as 10%, just to a lesser degree. Here's how to manage it:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDays 1–7: Use once daily, ideally in the evening. Follow immediately with an oil-free, noncomedogenic moisturizer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeek 2 onward: If your skin is tolerating it well, you can increase to twice daily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you notice flaking, tightness, or redness: Scale back to every other day until your skin adjusts, then build back up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe one non-negotiable step: Moisturize every time you use this bar. It's the single biggest factor separating \"manageable\" from \"too drying\" in benzoyl peroxide users.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Note on the First Few Weeks (It May Look Worse Before It Looks Better)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is common enough that it's worth saying plainly: many people see their skin look a little worse — more redness, some new small breakouts — during the first two to three weeks of starting benzoyl peroxide, before it starts looking better. This isn't a sign the product is wrong for you; it's benzoyl peroxide surfacing and clearing out congestion that was already forming under the skin. Give it a full 6 weeks before judging results, and the full effect can take 2–3 months to fully show. If irritation becomes severe rather than mild-to-moderate, or hasn't started improving by week 6, stop use and check in with a doctor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBAR SIZE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4 OZ (113 G) - 2.6\" x 2.6\" x 1\" Square - Single Bar Per Box\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the treatment of acne.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePenetrates pores to clear most blackheads and whiteheads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReduces the number of acne blemishes and pimples\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHelps prevent new acne blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads from forming\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDIRECTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause excessive drying of the skin may occur, start with one application daily, then gradually increase to two or three times daily if needed or as directed by a doctor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLather the bar with warm water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGently massage the lather onto affected areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLet the lather sit on skin for 60–90 seconds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse thoroughly and pat dry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf bothersome dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application to once daily or every other day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf going outside, apply sunscreen after using this product. If irritation or sensitivity develops, stop use of both products and ask a doctor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFollow with a moisturizer of your choice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst-time benzoyl peroxide users:\u003c\/strong\u003e apply to one or two small affected areas for the first 3 days. If no irritation develops, move to the full directions above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWARNINGS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor external use only. Do not use if you have very sensitive skin or are sensitive to benzoyl peroxide. When using this product: avoid unnecessary sun exposure and use a sunscreen; avoid contact with the eyes, lips, and mouth; avoid contact with hair and dyed fabrics, which may be bleached by this product; skin irritation and dryness is more likely if you use another topical acne medication at the same time. If irritation occurs, only use one topical acne medication at a time. Skin irritation may occur, characterized by redness, burning, itching, peeling, or swelling. Irritation may be reduced by using the product less frequently or at a lower concentration. Stop use and ask a doctor if irritation becomes severe. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBPO will bleach stain clothing and towels — use caution. Wash hands well with soap and water after each application, and rinse thoroughly before toweling off to prevent staining fabrics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACTIVE INGREDIENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5% Benzoyl Peroxide\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eINACTIVE INGREDIENTS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI):\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eKnown as Baby Foam due to its exceptional mildness, SCI raw material is a surfactant that is comprised of a type of sulphonic acid called Isethionic Acid as well as the sodium salt ester from Coconut Oil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStearic Acid:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eA vegetable derived waxy substance used as a thickening agent in shampoo bars.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoconut Fatty Acid:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eA surfactant, cleansing agent, emulsifier and a foam booster.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSodium Isethionate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eAn organic salt isethionic acid that was discovered in 1833. It is used as an organosulfur compound. It lowers the pH while maintaining a high level of detergency and lather.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoco Glucoside:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eA natural, gentle, and environmentally-friendly cleansing agent and surfactant (a word that is the shortened version of the term “Surface Active Agent”) sourced from coconuts. Sufactants prompt oil and water to combine, thereby making it easier for oily residue found on the hair to attach to syndet (synthetic detergent) and water, leaving the hair cleansed of any grease without stripping away its natural oils.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCetearyl Alcohol \u0026amp; Ceteareth-20:\u003c\/strong\u003e Emulgade 1000 Ni by BASF - a vegetable based emulsifying wax.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLactic Acid:\u003c\/strong\u003e An Alpha Hydroxy Acid or AHA used to gently exfoliate the skin, lighten dark spots, and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIron Oxides:\u003c\/strong\u003e The 5% bar contains natural iron oxides which gives the bar an orange appearance (so that customers that use both the 10% and the 5% can differentiate between the bars). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTORAGE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStore in a cool, dry place between 59°–86°F (15°–30°C). Benzoyl peroxide denatures at room temperature and will begin to break down once exposed to air, heat, and moisture. Use within 12 months of purchase. Unopened product is good for two years from date of manufacture if stored in a controlled environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFAQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it normal for my skin to look worse before it gets better?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Many users notice more redness or a few new small breakouts in the first two to three weeks as benzoyl peroxide clears out congestion that was already forming beneath the skin. This is a normal adjustment phase, not a sign the product isn't working. Give it a full 6 weeks before judging results — full effects can take 2–3 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this bar dry out my skin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome dryness, flaking, or peeling is expected — it's part of how benzoyl peroxide works, at 5% as well as 10%. Most users find 5% noticeably more tolerable than 10%. Using a daily oil-free moisturizer, starting with once-daily  application, and building up gradually all help minimize this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is the 5% bar different from your 10% bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth are FDA monograph-compliant benzoyl peroxide treatments built on the same syndet formula. Clinical research shows 5% and 10% benzoyl peroxide are similarly effective against inflammatory acne, with 10% causing more dryness and irritation. We recommend 5% as the default starting point for most users, and 10% for those who've built up tolerance or need a stronger option as directed by a doctor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use this with sulfur or salicylic acid products?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot on the same area at the same time without a doctor's guidance — layering multiple topical acne actives increases the risk of excess dryness and irritation. Many customers rotate: benzoyl peroxide for active breakouts, then salicylic acid or sulfur for daily maintenance once acne is under control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long can I leave this bar's lather on my skin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLather the affected area and let it sit for 60–90 seconds before rinsing thoroughly. Some users extend contact time up to a few minutes as tolerance builds — reduce contact time or frequency if irritation develops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it stain my towels or clothing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — benzoyl peroxide will bleach fabric on contact, including towels, pillowcases, and clothing. Rinse thoroughly before toweling off, and consider using an older, white towel dedicated to your BPO routine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore Benzoyl Peroxide - Frequently Asked Questions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOTHER INFORMATION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStamped\/embossed: \"dermaharmony\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSealed in a recyclable\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epolypropylene wrapper inside\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecarton.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarton ink is\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003enot\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epetroleum-based which is better for recycling. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis product is an Over-The-Counter (OTC) Drug.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade in the USA of U.S. and imported ingredients.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNDC Code: 71819-013-04\u003cbr\u003eASIN: \u003cspan\u003eB0B94SJXHL\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGS1 UPC: \u003cspan\u003e860004825814\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0020\/1254\/5099\/files\/package-icons-fragrance-free-600.jpg?v=1785444993\u0026amp;width=700\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DermaHarmony","offers":[{"title":"1 BAR (4 OZ)","offer_id":67439753134125,"sku":"dvh1788022832961","price":7.36,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 BARS (4 OZ EA)","offer_id":67439753166893,"sku":"pfg1788022832962","price":14.74,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 BARS (4 OZ EA)","offer_id":67439753199661,"sku":"axs1788022832963","price":22.23,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 BARS (4 OZ EA)","offer_id":67439753232429,"sku":"wwi1788022832964","price":31.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 BARS (4 OZ EA)","offer_id":67439753265197,"sku":"srj1788022832965","price":56.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0681\/5586\/7181\/files\/5-benzoyl-peroxide-cleansing-bar-non-soap---unscented_1.jpg?v=1788022860","url":"https:\/\/www.hollowtreegoods.shop\/products\/5-benzoyl-peroxide-cleansing-bar-non-soap-unscented","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}