La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, Niacinamide + 2 moreWorks well
“This synergy of dermatological actives works to visibly reduce pores and marks left by acne, refine skin texture and reduce fine lines.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-agingGlycolic acid, NiacinamideWorks well
“Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum is a gentle daily peeling serum that targets adult acne-prone skin and early signs of aging.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid, niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“This lightweight salicylic acid acne treatment serum clears acne blemishes and helps prevent new breakouts, while also visibly reducing pores, fine lines, and post-acne marks.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients 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, glycolic acid
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum is a gentle daily peeling serum that targets adult acne-prone skin and early signs of aging.”
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, glycolic acid, salicylic acid.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Biosaccharide gum-1 + 1 moreWorks well
“The fresh, rich and fast-absorbing water-gel texture leaves skin soft and hydrated to the touch.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": biosaccharide gum-1.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
5 of 5 community members would buy it again.
This product is useful for acne-prone skin, definitely. It helps to keep pores unclogged fue to its high concentration of salicylic acid and glycolic acid, and slowly but surely gives a better texture to the skin thanks to the niacinamide of the formula. Still, it isn't a serum to be used for too much time. After the first bottle, most of the people will find themselves in no need of this product any longer, since their issues will be gone by then. Continuous use of this serum can bring back acne breakouts if not paired with excellent (and I mean excellent) hydration and moisturizing. Such a high concentration of acids for a prolonged period of time seems to damage the skin barrier in some cases, so care is to be taken.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid1.5%
- 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%
Alcohol denat.~11–14%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Propanediol~5.2–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycolic acid~3.5–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidNiacinamide~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideDimethyl isosorbide~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbidePentylene glycol~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium hydroxide~1.4–1.7%
Ppg-26-buteth-26~1.3–1.6%
Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to regulate product's pH, but can be also used as an exfoliator when included in higher concentrations. There is a controversy about whether it can generate free radicals and induce skin cell damage when used in topical products
More about Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acidCitric acid~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPeg-30 glyceryl cocoate~0.7–1.05%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPeg-60 hydrogenated castor oil~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilCapryloyl salicylic acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Biosaccharide gum-1~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Maltodextrin~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinPhytic acid~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidPolyquaternium-10~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish
More about Polyquaternium-10Parfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Alcohol denat., Propanediol, Glycolic acid, Niacinamide, Dimethyl isosorbide, Pentylene glycol, Sodium hydroxide, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, Citric acid, Peg-30 glyceryl cocoate, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Biosaccharide gum-1, Maltodextrin, Phytic acid, Polyquaternium-10, 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 Ultra Concentrated SerumYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeAcne Control Gel | FacileClear Serum | GlossierSolution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 82% | 81% |
| Price | $42.09 | $14.70−$27.39 | $38.00−$4.09 | $30.00−$12.09 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Lactic Acid | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Allies of Skin Multi Acids & Retinoid Brightening Sleeping FacialSkinfix Resurface+ AHA/BHA Enzyme Exfoliating Pads for Face and Targeted Body
Product summary
"La Roche-Posay - Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish, Exfoliation and Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.10% - 3.10%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 2.80% - 4.20%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Salicylic acid (0.60% - 1.35%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (biosaccharide gum-1 0.10% - 0.45%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 39.99A$ up to 59.95A$ in Australia, for 57.50CA$ in Canada, from 27.20£ up to 39.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 64.59$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 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
- 5
- 6Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.