La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.Z. Gel-Cream
Works for
5 of 5 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing8 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“A daily lightweight moisturiser, specifically formulated for adult, blemish-prone skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": diglycerin, glycerin.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Evens skin tone3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: azelaic acid, salicylic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemish3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“A daily lightweight moisturiser, specifically formulated for adult, blemish-prone skin.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: azelaic acid, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Exfoliation3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains azelaic acid. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (azelaic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Azelaic acid~6.9–8.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals
More about Azelaic acidC15-19 alkane~5–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about C15-19 alkaneGlycerin~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinTriethyl citrate~2.2–2.7%
Diglycerin~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DiglycerinSalicylic acid~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidPanthenol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolSilica~1.5–1.9%
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateTaraxacum officinale rhizome/root extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Taraxacum officinale rhizome/root extractZinc gluconate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Typically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Zinc gluconateGlyceryl stearate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateSodium hyaluronate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium hydroxide~0.45–0.65%
Sodium phosphate~0.4–0.6%
Disodium phosphate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphateHydroxyethylcellulose~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseHydroxypropyl starch phosphate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations
More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateCitric acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinatePentylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolysorbate 60~0.15–0.25%
Parfum~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Azelaic acid, C15-19 alkane, Glycerin, Triethyl citrate, Diglycerin, Salicylic acid, Panthenol, Silica, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Taraxacum officinale rhizome/root extract, Zinc gluconate, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium phosphate, Disodium phosphate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Citric acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Pentylene glycol, Polysorbate 60, Parfum, Unknown
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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.
| La Roche-PosayEffaclar A.Z. Gel-CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Dermalogicaliquid peel | Jan MariniBioclear Lotion | Sevekiсыворотка для проблемной кожи с азелаиновой кислотой | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 76% | 74% | 71% |
| Price | $32.72 | $85.93+$53.21 | $101.14+$68.42 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Glycolic Acid | Retinol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"La Roche-Posay - Effaclar A. Z. Gel-Cream" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish and Exfoliation
This moisturizer could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Salicylic acid (1.30% - 1.60%) in this product will have an exfoliating effect and help smooth the skin. We, however, do not recommend using a moisturizer with Salicylic Acid daily to avoid over-exfoliating.
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.50% - 1.80%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- Azelaic Acid (6.90% - 8.40%). This active can reduce hyperpigmentation. It also works helps against acne and clogged pores. Please note that Azelaic Acid is most effective against acne in concentrations between 10% and 20%.
Price
The product retails for 33.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 5A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 6
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