La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 Versus Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Moisturizer for Normal to Oily Skin

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 Versus Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Moisturizer for Normal to Oily Skin

This acne day moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.

This calming moisturizer is formulated around Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract and Allantoin to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Octocrylene

Glycerin

Homosalate

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Alcohol Denat.

Niacinamide

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Dimethicone

Sorbitan Stearate

Silica

Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer

Propylene Glycol

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

Diisopropyl Sebacate

PEG-20

PEG-8 Laurate

Zinc PCA

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol

Inulin Lauryl Carbamate

Carnosine

Poloxamer 338

Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

Disodium EDTA

Sucrose Cocoate

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid

Xanthan Gum

T-Butyl Alcohol

BHT

Salicylic Acid

Parfum

Water, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Silica, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, PEG-20, PEG-8 Laurate, Zinc PCA, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Carnosine, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose Cocoate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, BHT, Salicylic Acid, Parfum

Cyclopentasiloxane

Butylene Glycol

Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Allantoin

Beta-Glucan

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Phenyl Trimethicone

Sodium Hyaluronate

Arctium Majus Root Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Laminaria Saccharina Extract

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Panthenol

Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Isohexadecane

Sodium Carbomer

Polysorbate 80

Ethylhexylglycerin

Phenoxyethanol

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Phenylpropyl Dimethicone, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Isohexadecane, Sodium Carbomer, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

This ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.

Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.

Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

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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