La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin

Review

Does La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin work?

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin 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
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Function:
Origin:
PEG-8
Function:
Origin:
Coco-Betaine
Function:
Origin:
Hexylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Function:
Origin:
Zinc PCA
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
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Fragrance
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.
PEG-8
Est. %4
Function
Origin
PEG-8A synthetic liquid that serves as a humectant. It also works as a solvent because of its ability to dissolve a wide range of ingredients.
Coco-Betaine
Est. %3
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.
Hexylene Glycol
Est. %2
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 Chloride
Est. %1.5
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.

PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose DioleateA synthetic thickener often used in cleansing formulations. It can create very thick cleansing products while maintaining foaming ability.
Zinc PCA
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Zinc PCAA two-part ingredient: Zinc helps to control sebum and bacteria in acne-prone skin, while skin-identical PCA is a moisturizing humectant. Zinc PCA may even boost collagen production and so is researched as a potential anti-wrinkle ingredient.
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.

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.
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.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Fragrance
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
FragranceUnder trade secret law, manufacturers have the right not to disclose what exactly went into the fragrance and use the unspecific word Fragrance or Parfum instead. Many fragrances are highly allergenic.