Versus

Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Gel Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser For Oily Skin

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
French Brand France

Updated on November 01, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain sulfates

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.

SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Masking

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 Chloride

Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate is used to improve texture and stability of a product. It is sugar based and helps thicken a product.

Once applied, it also creates a thin film to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

This ingredient is the polyethylene glycol ether of the diester of oleic acid and methylglucose. The 120 represents an average of 120 moles of ethylene oxide.

There is limited research on this ingredient, although it is considered safe to use in skincare products.

Learn more about PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Buffering

Sodium 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 Hydroxide
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

When to use

23 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
91% use every day
2,094 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Gel 21 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
allywally's avatar

ally <3

5 months ago
Review

This cleanser is the only one that i’ve found that didn’t dry out my skin,, despite it containing SLS, it’s gentle on my skin and cleanses effectively. I would really recommend if you have sensitive or dry skin and even though it is on the pricier side,, one bottle lasts me about 3 months ―୨୧⋆ ˚

#no scent
#works well

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser For Oily Skin 14 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 28 ratings
Drying (10) Irritating (9) Expensive (5)
wonyonnieoilygirl's avatar

wonyonnieoilygirl

2 years ago
Review

Too much work
My skin is a combination type so I struggle with a lot of oil production BUT dehydration-prone type. So, I was actually skeptical about this product. However, it did the job for me just fine at the end? It actually reduced all the redness around my T-Zone. Also it is really effective against new appearing pimples. Like, give it two days and it will heal just because of this cleanser. Show more

ksjsj's avatar

ksjsj

1 year ago
Review

Tried this before I realised my skin was dry, when I thought having acne = oily skin. Despite that, I don't think any cleanser should be this drying and irritating.

#expensive
#drying
#broke me out
#irritating