CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser - EU Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Cleansing Cream
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Cleansing Cream 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Cleansing Cream 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Acrylates Copolymer
Citric Acid
Buffering
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Glycine, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide NP, Phenoxyethanol, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
Coco-Betaine
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMannose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolyquaternium-11
Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Coco-Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Niacinamide, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocamide Mea, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Mannose, Disodium EDTA, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Maltodextrin, Polyquaternium-11, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinCoco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.
Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideAcrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSodium 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.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Cleansing Cream 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
Probably good for most people. It helped for my acne at first but i found out that i dont tolerate hyaluronic acid very well and so the cleanser started irritating my skin after a while
this cleanser irritated my skin so badðŸ˜. So, it technically cleansed my skin but after rinsing it off, my skin started to itch and stretch and also got a bit red. I did some research and I’ve found out that there is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, which can be aggressive for sensitive skin. Anyway, it didn’t work for me and so won’t be repurchasing
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Cleansing Cream 23 ingredients
I really love this cleanser!
It doesn’t feel stripping nor it dry out the skin wish is really important when it comes to any cleanser.
It does take off makeup easily even waterproof eyeliner or lipstick and makes my skin super soft afterwards!
Feels clean and hydrating
