Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Morus Bombycis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Trametes Versicolor Extract
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Nigra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
Astringent
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Prunus Domestica
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-6
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isohexadecane
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientArginine
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Pentylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Morus Nigra Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Salicylic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Sorbitol, Cholesterol, Phospholipids, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Squalane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-6, Glycerin, Sucrose, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isohexadecane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Arginine, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Sodium Rna, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 80, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientPEG-20
HumectantPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Oleamide
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Silica, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, PEG-20, PEG-8 Laurate, Zinc PCA, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Oleamide, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Carnosine, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose Cocoate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, BHT, Salicylic Acid, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
