La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ SPF 30
Works for
6 of 6 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
ExfoliationCapryloyl salicylic acid, Salicylic acidStrong evidence
“Enriched with LHA to micro-exfoliate the skin, unclog blocked pores and reduce the appearance of scarring.”
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.
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 1 moreStrong evidence
“A dual action daily gel moisturiser that reduces the appearance of spots and blackheads, controls shine and helps to reduce inflammation in order to prevent red and brown coloured marks that are often left by spots.”
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 2 moreStrong evidence
“Visibly reduces spots, controls shine and helps to reduce the appearance of marks”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. 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, zinc pca
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Carnosine + 1 moreStrong evidence
“It works to reduce the appearance of blemishes and blackheads and visibly blurs fine lines and redness for a mattified and velvet finish.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: carnosine.
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.
This product can also help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Carnosine + 7 moreStrong evidence
“A spot treatment that corrects and hydrates skin for clearer skin in 4 weeks.”
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:
carnosine, glycerin.
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, diisopropyl sebacate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Carnosine, Zinc pcaStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (carnosine) 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
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Octocrylene~5.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneGlycerin~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 GlycerinHomosalate~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateAlcohol denat.~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Niacinamide~1.7–2%
- 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 NiacinamideButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone~1.3–1.6%
- 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 DimethiconeSorbitan stearate~1–1.2%
Silica~1.1–1.4%
Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinateStyrene/acrylates copolymer~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerPropylene glycol~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateDiisopropyl sebacate~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin without creatng a greasy finish
More about Diisopropyl sebacatePeg-20~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg-8 laurate~0.45–0.7%
Zinc pca~0.45–0.65%
- 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 pcaDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol~0.3–0.6%
- 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-octadecanediolInulin lauryl carbamate~0.3–0.55%
Carnosine~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage
More about CarnosinePoloxamer 338~0.3–0.55%
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateDisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Sucrose cocoate~0.2–0.4%
Capryloyl salicylic acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumT-butyl alcohol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholBht~0.1–0.15%
Salicylic acid~0.1–0.2%
- 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 acidParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Alcohol denat., Niacinamide, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Sorbitan stearate, Silica, Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Propylene glycol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Diisopropyl sebacate, Peg-20, Peg-8 laurate, Zinc pca, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Carnosine, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Disodium edta, Sucrose cocoate, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Xanthan gum, T-butyl alcohol, Bht, Salicylic acid, Parfum
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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+ SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | MartidermPigment Zero DSP-Cream SPF 50+ | GarnierGreen Labs Canna-B Pore Perfecting Serum Cream, Fragrance Free, with SPF 30 and Niacinamide Vitamin B3 + Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil | SVRSEBIACLEAR Crème SPF50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 72% | 70% | 70% |
| Price | $23.98 | $63.74+$39.76 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 11 | 7 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Ferulic Acid | Vitamin E | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We assess that "La Roche-Posay - Effaclar Duo+ SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.00% - 2.50%, octisalate 3.20% - 3.90%, homosalate 3.60% - 4.40% and octocrylene 5.70% - 7.00%.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
What our users say
Based on 4 reviews 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, two out of two reviewers say that the product does not clog pores.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the majority of the reviewers (1 %) find that it pills under makeup.
- As for the white cast, the majority of the reviewers (0.75 %) find that it does not leave a white cast.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, the vast majority of the reviewers (100%) find that it stings eyes.
Price
The product retails from 15.20£ up to 18.96£ 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 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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