La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+] Unifiant Versus The INKEY List C-50 Blemish Night Treatment

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+] Unifiant Versus The INKEY List C-50 Blemish Night Treatment

This acne moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.

This acne treatment is formulated around Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Glycerin

Dimethicone

Isocetyl Stearate

Niacinamide

Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer

T-Butyl Alcohol

Sodium Hydroxide

Oleic Acid

Salicylic Acid

Silica Silylate

Poloxamer 338

Nylon-12

Polysorbate 80

Zinc PCA

Linoleic Acid

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Isohexadecane

2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol

Octanediol

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid

Caprylyl Glycol

Piroctone Olamine

Myristyl Myristate

Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer

Parfum

Sorbitan Oleate

Disodium EDTA

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

BHT

Glyceryl Stearate Se

CI 77891

CI 77491

CI 77492

CI 77499

Mica

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isocetyl Stearate, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Oleic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Silica Silylate, Poloxamer 338, Nylon-12, Polysorbate 80, Zinc PCA, Linoleic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Isohexadecane, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Octanediol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Piroctone Olamine, Myristyl Myristate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Parfum, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, BHT, Glyceryl Stearate Se, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica

Propanediol

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Phenoxyethanol

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside

Xanthan Gum

Madecassoside

Ethylhexylglycerin

Hydroxyacetophenone

Sodium Gluconate

Sodium Metabisulfite

Lecithin

Ascorbyl Palmitate

Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract

Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract

Tocopherol

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Water, Propanediol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Madecassoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

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.

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.

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.

Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.

Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

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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