La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel

Review

Does La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel work?

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel is a type of skincare product designed to be rinsed off, peeled off, or otherwise removed from the skin. Research confirming the moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, and soothing effects of such products is very limited. Therefore, we do not provide efficacy ratings for these types of skincare products.

However, you can explore the roles of specific ingredients in the Ingredients Explained section below.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Function:
Origin:
Decyl Glucoside
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
Coco-Betaine
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Function:
Origin:
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Function:
Origin:
Zinc Gluconate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Tetrasodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Menthol
Function:
Origin:
Polyquaternium-47
Function:
Origin:
Hexylene Glycol
Function:
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Sodium Benzoate
Function:
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Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Sodium Laureth SulfateSLES, not to be confused with SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), is a synthetic soap-like ingredient used in cleansing products. It foams well and removes oil and dirt. SLES may cause skin dryness and irritation, although it is considered less irritating than SLS.
Decyl Glucoside
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Decyl GlucosideA surfactant that can function as both a cleansing agent and emulsifier. As a cleansing agent, it is very mild on the skin. As an emulsifier, decyl glucoside will produce oil-in-water emulsions. It is naturally derived from vegetable oils and starch.
Glycerin
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Sodium Chloride
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Sodium Chloride

You’re definitely familiar with sodium chloride, even if you don’t think you are. It’s table salt! Salt works well with some cleansing ingredients (surfactants) to thicken them into gels. It also acts as a stabilizer for water-in-oil emulsions.

Coco-Betaine
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Coco-BetaineA naturally-derived cleansing agent often paired with other surfactants. It can help make other cleansing agents less harsh on the skin, and it also provides high amounts of fine foam.
Salicylic Acid
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Salicylic AcidThis effective peeling and anti-inflammatory BHA is used as an anti-acne agent and works by breaking down the junctions between dead skin cells. This results in the peeling of dead skin and the unclogging of pores.
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric GlyceridesA synthetic ingredient that softens the appearance of skin and combines water with oil.
Zinc Gluconate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Zinc GluconateOne of the most commonly used ingredients in anti-acne products. It is an organic salt of zinc that helps to combat microbial infections, soothes and heals inflamed pimples, and regulates hormones in the skin.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Capryloyl Salicylic AcidA derivative of salicylic acid, with bigger and more lipid-soluble molecules. This makes it more powerful and safer than salicylic acid. It is used as an exfoliating and peeling agent.
Tetrasodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tetrasodium EDTAOne of the most common synthetic chelators. It can reduce the 'hardness' of water and so is often used in rinse-off products.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Menthol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MentholA volatile compound isolated from peppermint oil. It causes a cooling sensation on the skin that can be very soothing. Menthol can also act as a topical painkiller. In more sensitive individuals, however, it may cause skin irritation or an allergy.
Polyquaternium-47
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polyquaternium-47
Hexylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hexylene GlycolA multifunctional ingredient that is best known for its use as a solvent. It can dissolve both water-based ingredients and oils. For this reason, it can also function as an emulsifier, allowing oil and water ingredients to mix and remain stable.
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BenzoateA preservative that usually works in combination with other preservatives. It has to be at low pH (<5.5) to be effective.