La Roche-Posay Effaclar Dermatological Acne Treatment System
Works for
CleansingCarbomer, Sodium laureth sulfate + 7 moreCleanses gently
“Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser, 3.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (capryloyl glycine, carbomer, coco-betaine, decyl glucoside, hexylene glycol, peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, sodium laureth sulfate) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: coco-betaine, decyl glucoside, sodium laureth sulfate
Anti-blemishCapryloyl salicylic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreNot delivered
“Effaclar Dermatological Acne Treatment System”
This product contains ingredients (capryloyl salicylic acid, glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Glycolic acid, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
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: capryloyl salicylic acid, glycolic acid.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Menthol, Alcohol denat. — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Isostearyl alcohol~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Isostearyl alcoholGlycerin~4–4.9%
- 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSilica~2.4–2.9%
Carbomer~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerCapryloyl salicylic acid~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Potassium hydroxide~1.4–1.7%
Tocopheryl acetate~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerDisodium edta~0.65–0.95%
Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain antioxidants
More about Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractWater~0.5–0.7%
Sodium laureth sulfate~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfateDecyl glucoside~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideGlycerin~0.45–0.65%
- 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 GlycerinSodium chloride~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideCoco-betaine~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
More about Coco-betainePeg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearateHexylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps dissolve other ingredients
More about Peg-6 caprylic/capric glyceridesZinc gluconate~0.2–0.4%
- 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 gluconateTetrasodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Polyquaternium-47~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Menthol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Capryloyl salicylic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citric acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidWater~0.2–0.4%
Alcohol denat.~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Propanediol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycolic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Capryloyl glycine~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycinePhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBenzyl alcohol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholPpg-26-buteth-26~0.2–0.35%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilMenthol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolOphiopogon japonicus root extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and support skin barrier function, but research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Ophiopogon japonicus root extractScutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis root extractIngredient list view
Water, Isostearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Silica, Carbomer, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Potassium hydroxide, Tocopheryl acetate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Disodium edta, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Decyl glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium chloride, Coco-betaine, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Hexylene glycol, Sodium hydroxide, Peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, Zinc gluconate, Tetrasodium edta, Polyquaternium-47, Menthol, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Citric acid, Water, Alcohol denat., Propanediol, Glycolic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Capryloyl glycine, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl alcohol, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Menthol, Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide, Butylene glycol, Ophiopogon japonicus root extract, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract
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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 Dermatological Acne Treatment SystemYOUR PRODUCT | GarnierPure Active Intensive Anti-Blackhead Charcoal Gel Wash | MedicubeKojic Acid Turmeric Toning Cleanser | YEOUTHVitamin C Facial Cleanser Day/Night Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 46% | 45% | 41% |
| Price | — | — | $16.53 | $41.90 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 14 | 4 of 14 | 4 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Niacinamide | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: the Torriden Store Balanceful Cica Cleansing GelVichy Normaderm Corrector Anti-Blemish Care 24H Hydration + Free Cleansing Gel
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5Zinc salts in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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