Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Cleansing
- Exfoliation
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-blemish
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Key actives
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Salicylic acid face wash is formulated with 2% salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid to remove impurities without harsh scrub particles that may irritate skin.
Source: Target
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.
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
Cleansing
What does the product description say?
Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin
Source: Ulta
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.
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
Helps oil and water mix together
Helps dissolve other ingredients
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser is an oil-free foaming wash that clears breakouts and smooths texture.
Source: Ulta
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.
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Cleansing | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 62/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
User reviews (1)
Averages from community submissions.
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin | Current | $15.99 | |
Garnier Pure Active Intensive Anti-Blackhead Charcoal Gel Wash | 72% | - | |
the Torriden Store Balanceful Cica Cleansing Gel | 55% | $17.36 | |
 Vichy Normaderm Daily Deep Cleansing Gel Face Wash with Salicylic Acid | 54% | $18.00 | |
 Leaders Calming Biotics Gel Cleanser | 50% | $22.00 | |
 I'm from Rice Whip Facial Cleanser | 50% | ≈ $14.31 |
Key Actives
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
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
Helps oil and water mix together
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
Helps dissolve other ingredients
Potential irritants
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
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
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
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
Ingredient list view
Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Decyl glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium chloride, Coco-betaine, Sodium hydroxide, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Citric acid, Hexylene glycol, Peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, Zinc gluconate, Tetrasodium edta, Polyquaternium-47, Menthol, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Sodium benzoate
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