La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M Versus Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M Versus Paula's Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide

This acne moisturizer 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

Oryza Sativa Starch

Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

Sorbitan Oleate

Zinc PCA

Glyceryl Stearate Se

Isohexadecane

Sodium Hydroxide

Myristyl Myristate

2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol

Mannose

Poloxamer 338

Propanediol

Hydroxyethoxyphenyl Butanone

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid

Caprylyl Glycol

Vitreoscilla Ferment

Citric Acid

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Maltodextrin

Xanthan Gum

Pentylene Glycol

Polysorbate 80

Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer

Salicylic Acid

Piroctone Olamine

Parfum

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isocetyl Stearate, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Silica, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Oryza Sativa Starch, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sorbitan Oleate, Zinc PCA, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hydroxide, Myristyl Myristate, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Mannose, Poloxamer 338, Propanediol, Hydroxyethoxyphenyl Butanone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Piroctone Olamine, Parfum

Propylene Glycol

Benzoyl Peroxide

Bisabolol

Allantoin

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Sodium Citrate

Laureth-4

Disodium EDTA

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).

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!

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