La Roche-Posay Physiological Superfine Scrub

La Roche-Posay Physiological Superfine Scrub

Efficacy50/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Exfoliation
Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Physiological Superfine Scrub”
From product name

This product might help exfoliate the skin with hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, but This ingredient is not the most effective.

Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acidEffect: MediumUsed 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~2.8–4.1%
Moisturizing
Side benefit · Glycerin, Butylene glycol + 1 more
Works

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene glycol.

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).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.7–5.5%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~6–9%
Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.9–1.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 5 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.01–0.1%est.
Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acidUsed 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 productsMedium~2.8–4.1%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.9–1.3%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.5–1.15%est.
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateUsed to improve stability of the formulationMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Butylene glycol~6–9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Glycerin~3.7–5.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid~2.8–4.1%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Exfoliation

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 acid
Perlite~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A type of volcanic glass. Absorbs moisture and can temporarily mattify the skin

More about Perlite
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate
Poloxamer 184~1.3–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Poloxamer 184
Pumice~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Milled volcanic rock. Used as an abrasive for physical exfoliation

More about Pumice
Caprylyl glycol~0.9–1.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Citric acid~0.5–1.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to improve stability of the formulation

More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate
Xanthan gum~0.3–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Polyquaternium-47~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Myrtrimonium bromide~0.05–0.1%
Formula
Parfum~0.01–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, Perlite, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Poloxamer 184, Pumice, Caprylyl glycol, Citric acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Xanthan gum, Polyquaternium-47, Sodium benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Myrtrimonium bromide, 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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
La Roche-PosayPhysiological Superfine ScrubYOUR PRODUCTSkinCeuticalsRetexturing ActivatorL'Oréal ParisL’Oreal Paris 5% Glycolic Acid Peeling TonerDanne Montague-KingDMK Micro Peel
Match—36%35%35%
Price—$90.00$11.89$56.60
Shared key ingredients—2 of 22 of 21 of 2
Key difference—Hydroxyethyl UreaSalicylic AcidGlycolic Acid
Irritancy Medium Low Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"La Roche-Posay - Physiological Superfine Scrub" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • Humectants (glycerin 3.70% - 5.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

Price

The product retails from 12.93£ up to 26.48£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
La Roche-Posay Physiological Superfine Scrub
La Roche-PosayPhysiological Superfine Scrub

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