La Roche-Posay EFFACLAR DUO Global acne treatment
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 9 moreStrong evidence
“Effaclar Duo (+) is a global action acne treatment and 24-hour hydrating face lotion that acts immediately on acne without drying the skin.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, zinc pca.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, isocetyl stearate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 2 moreStrong evidence
“Thanks to its unique anti-recurrence action, it not only clears acne but also prevents recurring breakouts.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients 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, zinc pca
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Zinc pcaStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Capryloyl salicylic acid, Salicylic acidStrong evidence
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, salicylic acid.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 1 moreStrong evidence
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide, salicylic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: capryloyl 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid0.5%
- 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 acidWater~45–55%
Glycerin~6.8–8.4%
- 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 GlycerinDimethicone~5.9–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeIsocetyl stearate~3.8–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Isocetyl stearateNiacinamide~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideIsopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinateSilica~2–2.4%
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerSodium hydroxide~1.1–1.4%
Poloxamer 338~0.9–1.1%
Polysorbate 80~0.7–1%
Mannose~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumZinc pca~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaIsohexadecane~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Isohexadecane2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and slow down the water loss over time
More about 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediolCapryloyl salicylic acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Caprylyl glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPiroctone olamine~0.3–0.6%
Myristyl myristate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
More about Myristyl myristateAcrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps water and oil mix together and create gel-like textures
More about Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymerSorbitan oleate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateDisodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateVitreoscilla ferment~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateGlyceryl stearate se~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isocetyl stearate, Niacinamide, Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, Silica, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Sodium hydroxide, Poloxamer 338, Polysorbate 80, Mannose, Xanthan gum, Zinc pca, Isohexadecane, 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Piroctone olamine, Myristyl myristate, Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, Sorbitan oleate, Disodium edta, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Vitreoscilla ferment, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl stearate se, Parfum
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
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 Global acne treatmentYOUR PRODUCT | Paula's choiceInvisible Finish Moisture Gel | Face factsCeramide Blemish Gel Moisturiser | Kiehl'sExpertly Clear Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin with Salicylic Acid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 81% | 79% | 76% |
| Price | — | $38.81 | $2.67 | $29.25 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 10 | 3 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Oatmeal Extract | Mineral Oil | Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.