La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M Versus Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M Versus Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 Detailed comparison of La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M versus Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30. This acne moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to clear breakouts and balance excess oil. This brightening moisturizer is formulated around Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract and Tetrapeptide-30 to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. 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 C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Zinc Oxide Titanium Dioxide Isononyl Isononanoate Butylene Glycol Cetearyl Alcohol Glyceryl Stearate Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Tetrapeptide-30 Linoleic Acid Resveratrol Ascorbyl Glucoside Tocopheryl Acetate Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Bisabolol Tocopherol Phospholipids Lecithin Glycine Soja Sterols Xanthophylls Pullulan Sodium Gluconate Sclerotium Gum Alumina Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Triethoxycaprylylsilane C13-14 Isoparaffin Acrylates Copolymer Polyhydroxystearic Acid Polyacrylamide Ceteareth-20 Aluminum Stearate Laureth-7 Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tetrapeptide-30, Linoleic Acid, Resveratrol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Phospholipids, Lecithin, Glycine Soja Sterols, Xanthophylls, Pullulan, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Alumina, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Ceteareth-20, Aluminum Stearate, Laureth-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol 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). Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. 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. 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 seba