La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Mattifying Moisturizer for Oily Skin
Works for
3 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Exfoliation2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
“Formulated with micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, this oil-free face moisturizer hydrates skin while leaving it looking and feeling matte.”
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 tone2 ingredients credited for this claimModerate evidence
“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.
Moisturizing8 ingredients credited for this claimGood evidence
“Effaclar Mat Mattifying Moisturizer for Oily 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, 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, isocetyl stearate.
Anti-blemish2 ingredients credited for this claimLimited evidence
“• Helps to limit the appearance of pores and shine by reducing excess sebum.”
This product contains ingredients (capryloyl salicylic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.1–6.1%
- 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~3.5–5.3%
- 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~2.6–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Isocetyl stearateAlcohol denat.~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Silica~1.8–2.6%
Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerAcrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps water and oil mix together and create gel-like textures
More about Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymerMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerButylene glycol~0.55–1.3%
- 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 glycolPeg-100 stearate~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCocamide mea~0.35–0.8%
Sarcosine~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to enhance the penetration of other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about SarcosineGlyceryl stearate~0.15–0.7%
- 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 stearateTriethanolamine~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineIsohexadecane~0.2–0.7%
- 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 IsohexadecanePerlite~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of volcanic glass. Absorbs moisture and can temporarily mattify the skin
More about PerliteCapryloyl salicylic acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tetrasodium edta~0.1–0.3%
Pentylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolysorbate 80~0.05–0.25%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.05–0.2%
- 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 crosspolymerSalicylic acid~0.05–0.15%
- 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~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isocetyl stearate, Alcohol denat., Silica, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Butylene glycol, Peg-100 stearate, Cocamide mea, Sarcosine, Glyceryl stearate, Triethanolamine, Isohexadecane, Perlite, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Tetrasodium edta, Pentylene glycol, Polysorbate 80, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, 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 Mat Mattifying Moisturizer for Oily SkinYOUR PRODUCT | VichyIdélia Day Cream For Normal To Combination Skin | L'Oréal ParisAge Perfect Golden Age Night Cream Moisturiser | LancômeClarifique Watery Emulsion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 57% | 57% | 56% |
| Price | $19.20 | $37.02+$17.82 | $13.22−$5.98 | $205.54+$186.34 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Adenosine | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 6A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
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