La Roche-Posay Effaclar K Moisturiser for Oily Skin
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
ExfoliationCapryloyl salicylic acidStrong evidence
“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.
MoisturizingCarnosine, Sarcosine + 6 moreGood evidence
“Effaclar K Moisturiser for Oily Skin”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": carnosine, sarcosine.
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).
Anti-blemishZinc pca, Capryloyl salicylic acidLimited evidence
“Regulates combination to oily skin, helps reduce visibility of blackheads and improve skin texture and shine.”
This product contains ingredients (capryloyl salicylic acid, zinc pca) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Carnosine, Zinc pca + 1 moreStrong 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).
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Capryloyl salicylic acidModerate evidence
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-agingNot advertised by the brand · Carnosine, Zinc pca + 1 moreModerate evidence
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~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolPeg-100 stearate~3.1–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateZinc pca~1.9–2.8%
- 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 pcaSarcosine~1.4–2.1%
- 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~1.2–1.9%
Silica~1.2–1.9%
Silica silylate~0.85–1.25%
Perlite~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of volcanic glass. Absorbs moisture and can temporarily mattify the skin
More about PerliteCarnosine~0.35–0.85%
- 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~0.35–0.8%
Capryloyl salicylic acid~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPentylene glycol~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAcrylates copolymer~0.1–0.45%
- 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~0.1–0.45%
- 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~0.05–0.25%
- 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~0.05–0.2%
- 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~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDatem~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propylene glycol, Octyldodecanol, Unknown, Peg-100 stearate, 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, Datem
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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 K Moisturiser for Oily SkinYOUR PRODUCT | VichyIdéalia Energising Cream Dry Skin | BioBare®FLAWLESS CLARITY™ - Refining Brightening 10% Niacinamide + Zinc Gel Moisturizer | BIOTHERMBLUE THERAPY ANTI-AGING NIGHT CREAM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 53% | 51% | 51% |
| Price | $19.57 | $35.32+$15.75 | $59.00+$39.43 | $85.00+$65.43 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 1 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Niacinamide | Mineral Oil |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | 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 11 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
- 5
- 6Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review hindawi.com
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