The biggest difference between The Breath Co and Listerine comes down to how each one fights bad breath. Listerine’s classic formula relies on alcohol and essential oils to kill germs and create a strong, intense sensation, while The Breath Co uses an alcohol-free, oxygenating formula designed to neutralise odour-causing bacteria at the source, without the burn or the drying effect that comes with alcohol. Both are established, trusted brands. The right choice depends on what you actually want from a daily mouthwash, comfort and long-term use, or a strong, familiar sensation.
Below, we break down exactly how the two compare, what the ingredients actually do, and whether the extra cost of a premium formula is worth it.
The Breath Co vs Listerine: Ingredients Compared
Listerine’s Original and Cool Mint formulas are built around four essential oils, eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate and thymol, dissolved in an alcohol base that can run as high as 26.9% by volume, similar to or higher than many wines. The alcohol isn’t there to kill germs directly. Its main role is to act as a solvent, helping the essential oils dissolve and penetrate plaque, and as a preservative.
The Breath Co, previously known as TheraBreath, takes a different approach. Its formula is built around a stabilised, oxygenating ingredient derived from sodium chlorite, which breaks down odour-causing bacteria directly rather than relying on alcohol or a strong mint sensation to mask the smell. Because there’s no alcohol in the formula, it doesn’t carry the same drying, burning effect.
Listerine does also offer alcohol-free versions, such as Listerine Zero, which keep the same essential oils but swap out the alcohol base. This narrows the gap between the two brands in terms of comfort, but the core difference in approach, essential oils and alcohol versus an oxygenating, alcohol-free formula, remains.
Why This Difference Actually Matters for Fresh Breath
Alcohol-based mouthwash can dry out your mouth, and a dry mouth is one of the most common everyday causes of bad breath, since saliva plays a key role in washing away the bacteria and food particles responsible for odour. This means a strong, alcohol-based rinse can feel intense in the moment while quietly working against fresh breath over the following hours.
The Breath Co’s oxygenating, alcohol-free approach is designed to target the bacteria that cause bad breath without this drying side effect, which is one of the reasons dentists commonly recommend it for people with chronic bad breath, dry mouth, or anyone who simply wants a mouthwash gentle enough to use consistently, morning and evening, without irritation.
Comfort and Daily Use
This is one of the clearest practical differences between the two brands.
- Listerine Original and Cool Mint contain alcohol and are known for a strong, sometimes intense burning sensation, which some people find motivating and others find hard to tolerate daily
- Listerine Zero removes the alcohol but keeps the same essential oils, offering a milder experience while retaining Listerine’s classic flavour profile
- The Breath Co is alcohol-free across its range, formulated specifically to avoid the sting and dryness associated with traditional mouthwash, making it easier to stick to a twice-daily routine long-term
Since consistency matters more than any single rinse for long-term fresh breath, a mouthwash you’re comfortable using every day, without irritation, tends to deliver better results over time than one you use less often because it’s uncomfortable.
Clinical Backing
Both approaches have research behind them. Listerine’s essential oil formula has decades of use and clinical study behind its plaque and gingivitis claims, and several of its products carry the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance.
The Breath Co’s oxygenating formula is also backed by clinical research. A randomised, double-blind study published in Clinical and Experimental Dental Research found that a chlorine dioxide-based rinse, the same category of active ingredient The Breath Co uses, significantly reduced oral malodour over a two-week period. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse, the product line The Breath Co is built on, also carries American Dental Association acceptance for helping reduce bad breath when used as directed.
In short, this isn’t a case of an established brand versus an unproven one. Both use ingredients with genuine clinical backing, the real difference is in the approach, and the day-to-day experience of using each product.
Is The Breath Co Worth the Extra Cost?
The Breath Co typically costs two to three times more than mass-market mouthwash brands available in South African pharmacies. Whether that’s worth it depends on what you’re solving for.
If you’re generally happy with your current mouthwash and mainly want a quick, strong freshening sensation, a standard Listerine formula will do that job at a lower price point. If you’ve struggled with bad breath returning quickly, have a naturally dry mouth, find alcohol-based mouthwash uncomfortable to use consistently, or simply want a gentler formula for twice-daily, long-term use, the case for paying more for The Breath Co is stronger, since the formula is specifically built to address those issues rather than just mask them temporarily.
It’s also worth factoring in how you buy it. Ordering two bottles from thebreathco.co.za qualifies for free nationwide delivery on orders over R600, which narrows the effective price gap if you’re buying for more than one person in your household or stocking up for a few months at a time.
A Side-by-Side Summary
- Active approach: Listerine uses essential oils, typically in an alcohol base; The Breath Co uses an alcohol-free, oxygenating formula
- Alcohol content: Listerine Original contains up to 26.9% alcohol; Listerine Zero and The Breath Co are both alcohol-free
- Sensation: Listerine Original is known for an intense burn; The Breath Co and Listerine Zero are designed to be gentler
- Best suited for: Listerine Original suits people who want a strong, familiar sensation and don’t mind alcohol; The Breath Co suits people prioritising comfort, dry mouth relief, or consistent long-term use
- Price: Listerine is generally the more affordable option; The Breath Co sits in the premium price bracket
- Where to buy: Both are available at major South African pharmacies and online, with The Breath Co also offering free delivery on orders over R600 directly from thebreathco.co.za
Where to Buy The Breath Co
The Breath Co is available directly from thebreathco.co.za, where orders over R600 qualify for free nationwide delivery, as well as at selected Dis-Chem and Clicks pharmacies, and online through Takealot.
References
- Bad Breath — MouthHealthy, American Dental Association
- TheraBreath vs. Listerine: A Few Key Differences — Burlington Dental Center
- Clinical Insights: The Science Under the Orange Cap — Dimensions of Dental Hygiene
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Listerine contain alcohol?
Listerine’s Original and Cool Mint formulas contain alcohol, up to around 26.9% by volume. The brand also offers alcohol-free versions, such as Listerine Zero, which use the same essential oils without the alcohol base.
Is The Breath Co alcohol-free?
Yes. The Breath Co’s entire range is formulated without alcohol, using an oxygenating, sodium chlorite-based formula instead.
Which is better for bad breath, Listerine or The Breath Co?
Both have genuine clinical backing. Listerine’s essential oil formula is effective against plaque and gingivitis, while The Breath Co’s oxygenating formula is specifically designed to neutralise the bacteria responsible for bad breath without drying out the mouth. For ongoing bad breath or a naturally dry mouth, The Breath Co’s approach tends to be the better fit.
Why does The Breath Co cost more than Listerine?
The Breath Co is formulated as a premium, alcohol-free product built around a specific oxygenating ingredient, rather than competing mainly on price. Many customers find the comfort and longer-lasting freshness worth the difference, particularly for daily, long-term use.
Where can I buy The Breath Co in South Africa?
You can buy online from thebreathco.co.za, where orders over R600 qualify for free delivery, or in-store at selected Dis-Chem and Clicks pharmacies, and online through Takealot.
