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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 .

Published on January 17, 2023

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment South Korean Brand South Korea
Day Moisturizer French Brand France

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

Price

Shop

Buy AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream

Starts at $13.39
Shop

Buy Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30

Starts at $36.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
30

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
BHA
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (6)
Eczema (6)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

COSRX AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

COSRX AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 8.

3
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

COSRX AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 29.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

46% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
4% have no rating yet
27% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
45% are disliked or very disliked
27% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream 24 ingredients

AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 33 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Anti's avatar

Anti

3 years ago · Dry Skin
Review

Great product but not great moisturizer
I used this product for a month. It has done great job for my acne prone skin and caused no break outs....

Great product but not great moisturizer
I used this product for a month. It has done great job for my acne prone skin and caused no break outs. However, it is not a great moisturizer itself. I mostly used it before my actuall moisturizer. Plus, it has spf.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 30 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30.

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