La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment with Benzoyl Peroxide
Works for
ExfoliationCapryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
“Formulated with 5.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide and micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, this acne spot treatment provides fast and visible results in less than 3 days.”
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.
Anti-blemishBenzoyl peroxide, Capryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
“Our best spot treatment for acne reduces the number and severity of acne blemishes, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: benzoyl peroxide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: capryloyl salicylic acid
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Tocopheryl acetateMay help
This product contains antioxidants (epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Isostearyl alcohol, Glycerin + 1 moreWorks
“It helps hydrate skin by absorbing water from the surrounding environment.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": 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).
Evens skin toneSide benefit the brand mentions · Capryloyl salicylic acidMay help
“Also known as LHA, it's a derivative of salicylic acid, and has exfoliating and skin surface renewing properties.”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Benzoyl peroxideMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
2 of 2 community members would buy it again.
One of the only BHA products I’ve tried that isn’t super irritating!
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Benzoyl peroxide5.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A potent anti-bacterial ingredient that is effective against acne. Often leads to skin dryness and can be irritating
More about Benzoyl peroxideWater~40–60%
Isostearyl alcohol~7.2–10.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Isostearyl alcoholGlycerin~4.9–7.4%
- 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol~3.8–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSilica~2.6–3.9%
Carbomer~1.7–2.5%
- 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~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Potassium hydroxide~0.85–1.25%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.45–1.05%
- 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~0.4–0.95%
- 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~0.1–0.45%
Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain antioxidants
More about Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractIngredient list view
Benzoyl peroxide, 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
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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 Duo Dual Acne Treatment with Benzoyl PeroxideYOUR PRODUCT | ParnellCicamanu Cotton Clear Pad | KnoursPore Control Resurfacing Exfoliation Pad | OpenfaceTriple Treat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 45% | 45% | 43% |
| Price | — | $15.00 | $24.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Panthenol | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Face Reality Skincare Professional 2.5% Advanced Acne MedPevonia Botanica SpaTeen Blemish-B-Gone
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 2 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
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