Skin science article
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Global Acne Treatment Versus Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Global Acne Treatment Versus Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide This acne treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to clear breakouts and balance excess oil. This
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Global Acne Treatment Versus Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide
This acne treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
This acne treatment is formulated around Benzoyl Peroxide and Bisabolol to clear breakouts and calm redness.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Glycerin
Dimethicone
Isocetyl Stearate
Niacinamide
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Silica
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
Poloxamer 338
Polysorbate 80
Mannose
Xanthan Gum
Zinc PCA
Isohexadecane
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Caprylyl Glycol
Piroctone Olamine
Myristyl Myristate
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Sorbitan Oleate
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Parfum
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isocetyl Stearate, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Silica, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Poloxamer 338, Polysorbate 80, Mannose, Xanthan Gum, Zinc PCA, Isohexadecane, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Piroctone Olamine, Myristyl Myristate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Parfum
Propylene Glycol
Benzoyl Peroxide
Bisabolol
Allantoin
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Sodium Citrate
Laureth-4
Hexylene Glycol
Phenoxyethanol
Water, Propylene Glycol, Benzoyl Peroxide, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Laureth-4, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!