La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser
Works for
CleansingSodium laureth sulfate, Coco-betaine + 2 moreCan be harsh
“Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser”
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.
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.
Anti-blemishZinc pcaNot delivered
“Clinically proven to reduce the visibility of blemishes and blackheads.”
This product contains ingredients (zinc pca) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
9 of 12 community members would buy it again.
The fragrance is HORRIBLE. Smells like mosquito spray. It was so overwhelming that I used it once then returned the same day. Basically choking me.
Solid 8
AVOID EYES this is a very drying cleanser. I just started using my cleanser “properly” by massaging it into my skin for a minute and then rinsing. Fully damaged my skin barrier and irritated my skin heavily
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Sodium laureth sulfate~11–13%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfatePeg-8~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a nice product consistency
More about Peg-8Water~2.7–3.3%
Sodium laureth sulfate~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfatePeg-8~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a nice product consistency
More about Peg-8Coco-betaine~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic
More about Coco-betaineHexylene glycol~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolSodium chloride~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePunica granatum pericarp extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Zinc pca~0.55–0.85%
- 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 pcaPeg-120 methyl glucose dioleate~0.45–0.65%
Sodium citrate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSodium hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
Caprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCitric acid~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateMaltodextrin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinPentylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolTocopherol~0.2–0.4%
- 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 TocopherolSodium benzoate~0.2–0.35%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBetaine~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineHexylene glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolSodium chloride~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePeg-120 methyl glucose dioleate~0.15–0.25%
Zinc pca~0.1–0.15%
- 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 pcaSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.1%
Citric acid~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium benzoate~0.01–0.05%
Phenoxyethanol~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolParfum~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Peg-8, Unknown, Water, Sodium laureth sulfate, Peg-8, Coco-betaine, Hexylene glycol, Sodium chloride, Punica granatum pericarp extract, Zinc pca, Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, Sodium citrate, Sodium hydroxide, Caprylyl glycol, Citric acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Maltodextrin, Pentylene glycol, Tocopherol, Sodium benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Betaine, Hexylene glycol, Sodium chloride, Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, Zinc pca, Sodium hydroxide, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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 Purifying Gel CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | MixaAnti-Imperfection Gentle Purifying Gel | L'Oréal ParisMen Expert Sensitive Skin Face Wash Facial Cleanser | CliniqueLiquid Facial Soap Mild Dry Combination Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 42% | 42% | 38% |
| Price | $18.99 | $6.07−$12.92 | $8.01−$10.98 | $26.70+$7.71 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Glycerin | Salicylic Acid | Sucrose |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Bioderma Sensibio DS+ Cleansing GelGarnier Micellar Gel Face Wash Sensitive Skin
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review hindawi.com
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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