Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Zinc pca + 1 moreWorks well
“Regulates combination to oily skin, helps reduce visibility of blackheads and improve skin texture and shine.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. 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
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Capryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
“Exfoliates and nourishes to progressively transform the skin's surface, leaving the skin feeling smoother and fresher.”
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.
MoisturizingDimethicone, Zinc pca + 9 moreWorks
“The ultra-fresh and non-oily aqua gel texture is quickly absorbed and offers all-day moisturisation and comfort.”
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, sarcosine.
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, cetyl alcohol.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Carnosine, Zinc pca + 1 moreWorks well
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).
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Capryloyl salicylic acid, Salicylic acidMay help
This product might be able to help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains salicylic acid. The effect, if any, is likely to be small. 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.
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-agingSide benefit · Carnosine, Zinc pca + 1 moreMay help
This product contains carnosine. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propylene glycol~4.6–6.9%
- 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 glycolOctyldodecanol~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolDimethicone~2.8–4.1%
- 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 DimethiconePeg-100 stearate~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateSalicylic acid~1.1–1.6%
- 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 acidAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateZinc pca~1–1.5%
- 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 pcaSarcosine~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about SarcosineSodium hydroxide~0.5–1.2%
Silica~0.85–1.25%
Silica silylate~0.45–1.05%
Perlite~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of volcanic glass. Absorbs moisture and can temporarily mattify the skin
More about PerliteCarnosine~0.3–0.7%
- 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 CarnosineDisodium edta~0.15–0.65%
Capryloyl salicylic acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPentylene glycol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAcrylates copolymer~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulation, help create an even product layer over skin (for example, in sunscreen) and create a thicker product consistency
More about Acrylates copolymerCetyl alcohol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholButylene glycol~0.05–0.2%
- 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 glycolTocopherol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolParfum~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Propylene glycol, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Salicylic acid, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Zinc pca, Sarcosine, Sodium hydroxide, Silica, Silica silylate, Perlite, Carnosine, Disodium edta, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Xanthan gum, Pentylene glycol, Acrylates copolymer, Cetyl alcohol, Butylene glycol, Tocopherol, 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 KYOUR PRODUCT | Kiehl'sBreakout Control Acne Treatment Facial Lotion | GarnierPure Active Intensive Blackhead Exfoliating Face Scrub | Peter Thomas RothPRO Strength 10% PHA Exfoliating Clarifying Liquid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 79% | 76% | 74% |
| Price | — | $45.51 | $5.33 | $58.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Copper Pca | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Abib Green LHA Pore Pad Clear TouchSome By Mi Miracle AC Clear Spot Treatment
Product summary
"La Roche-Posay - Effaclar K" is effective for: Anti-blemish and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Salicylic acid (1.10% - 1.60%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (carnosine 0.30% - 0.70%, sarcosine 0.85% - 1.25% and zinc pca 1.00% - 1.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 30.49A$ in Australia and from 13.79£ up to 20.00£ 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 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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