Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser is a cleanser. Our analysis of its 23 ingredients (22 low-risk) rates it Excellent (98/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser is a cleanser. Our analysis of its 23 ingredients (22 low-risk) rates it Excellent (98/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Benzoyl Peroxide
(Antiacne Agent, Oxidising Agent) |
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Water
(Solvent) |
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Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
(Cleansing, Foaming, Surfactant) |
Sulfate
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Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Potassium Hydroxide
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Sodium Chloride
(Bulking Agent, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Sodium Citrate
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Chelating, Masking) |
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Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing) |
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Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
(Cleansing, Emulsifying, Hydrotrope, Surfactant) |
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Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Benzoic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Preservative, Bulking Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Pentylene Glycol
(Skin Conditioning, Solvent) |
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Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Tetrasodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent) |
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Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
(Chelating Agent) |
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Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
Often considered acceptable for limited spot use, but many clinicians prefer you check first.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.
Niacinamide
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.
Glycolic Acid
Lower strengths (2.5–5%) work about as well as 10% for many people, with less dryness and irritation.
Benzoyl Peroxide
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
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