La Roche-Posay Medicated Gel Acne Face Wash with Salicylic Acid
Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Face Wash with Salicylic Acid helps target excess oil, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads for clear skin.”
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
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Exclusive micro-exfoliating Lipo Hydroxy Acid helps target oily areas on the skin surface to provide precise cell-by-cell removal of debris and dirt.”
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.
CleansingSodium laureth sulfate, Decyl glucoside + 4 moreCan be harsh
“Medicated Gel Acne Face Wash with Salicylic Acid”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.
It contains the following cleansing agents that tend to be harsh on the skin: sodium laureth sulfate.
The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people coco-betaine, decyl glucoside.
Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: MentholMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
2 of 2 community members would buy it again.
I use this when my face starts to break out especially around 'that time' of the month. When I use this, I make sure it stays on my face for at least a minute. Its great at managing my acne, but it can be drying so I usually moisturize a little more or use a hydrating toner when using it.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid2%
- 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%
Sodium laureth sulfate~11–13%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfateDecyl glucoside~6–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideGlycerin~3.3–4%
- 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 GlycerinSodium chloride~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideCoco-betaine~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
More about Coco-betainePeg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearateHexylene glycol~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolSodium hydroxide~0.9–1.1%
Peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps dissolve other ingredients
More about Peg-6 caprylic/capric glyceridesZinc gluconate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Typically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Zinc gluconateTetrasodium edta~0.3–0.55%
Polyquaternium-47~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Menthol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Capryloyl salicylic acid~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citric acid~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Decyl glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium chloride, Coco-betaine, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Hexylene glycol, Sodium hydroxide, Peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, Zinc gluconate, Tetrasodium edta, Polyquaternium-47, Menthol, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Citric acid
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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-PosayMedicated Gel Acne Face Wash with Salicylic AcidYOUR PRODUCT | GarnierPure Active Intensive Anti-Blackhead Charcoal Gel Wash | VichyNormaderm Daily Deep Cleansing Gel Face Wash with Salicylic Acid | MixaAnti-Imperfection Comfort Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 88% | 88% |
| Price | $18.99 | — | $18.00−$0.99 | $7.21−$11.78 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 6 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Pca | Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleansing GelSkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 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
- 5Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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