Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Exfoliation
- Cleansing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-blemish
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Key actives
Cleansing
What does the product description say?
System includes, Effaclar Medicated Gel Face Wash (3.
Source: Walgreens
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
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
Helps oil and water mix together
Helps oil and water mix together
Helps dissolve other ingredients
Helps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Glycolic Acid penetrates deep to unclog pores and smooth skin texture.
Source: Walgreens
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.
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
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
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Effaclar Dermatological Acne Treatment System for Face Oil Free
Source: From product name
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.
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
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Cleansing | |
| Exfoliation | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 83/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 La Roche-Posay Effaclar Dermatological Acne Treatment System for Face Oil Free | Current | $29.99 | |
 SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel | 49% | $42.00 | |
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel | 49% | $12.99 | |
La Roche-Posay Medicated Gel Acne Face Wash with Salicylic Acid | 46% | $14.99 | |
 Garnier Pure Active Intensive Anti-Blackhead Charcoal Gel Wash | 46% | $4.99 | |
 Murad Eyes Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum | 42% | $55.75 |
Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Ingredient 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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- Ecofriendly surfactant is allergen of the year
- Zinc salts in dermatology
- An overview of zinc and its importance in dermatology-Part II: The association of zinc with some dermatologic disorders
- Zinc, copper and manganese enhanced keratinocyte migration through a functional modulation of keratinocyte integrins
- Evaluation of the effects of topical zinc gluconate in wound healing
- A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provides antiaging effects comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen
- Applications of hydroxy acids: classification, mechanisms, and photoactivity
- Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acid
- Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Amended Safety Assessment of Butyl Polyoxyalkylene Ethers as Used in Cosmetics
- Amended Safety Assessment of PEGylated Oils as Used in Cosmetics
- Effects of steroidal saponins extract from Ophiopogon japonicus root ameliorates doxorubicin-induced chronic heart failure by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory response
- Cosmetic use of an ophiopogon japonicus active principle
- Scutellaria baicalensis, the golden herb from the garden of Chinese medicinal plants
- Flavonoids in Treating Psoriasis
- Improvement of skin barrier dysfunction by Scutellaria baicalensis GEOGI extracts through lactic acid fermentation
- Safety Assessment of Scutellaria baicalensis-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics