Curology Acne Cleanser Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser
Updated on March 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain benzoyl peroxide and hyaluronic acid
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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or 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
Curology Acne Cleanser 14 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Curology Acne Cleanser 14 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C12-14 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoyl Peroxide 4%
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Propanediol
SolventDiethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzoyl Peroxide 4%, Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Propanediol, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Carbomer, Benzoic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoyl Peroxide is famous for fighting acne. This is because it does a variety of tasks on the skin: it helps reduce excess oil, kill bacteria, and clear out dead skin cells. In other words, it is effective at unclogging pores.
These properties make it great at fighting different types of acne, including cystic and inflammatory types of acne.
When targeting the bacteria in your pores, Benzoyl Peroxide has been shown to kill the bacteria without causing sensitivity. It also helps keep your skin's natural bacteria and biome balanced. Having a healthy biome protects your skin from external harmful factors.
Once Benzoyl Peroxide is absorbed into the skin, our bodies turn it into benzoic acid and quickly exits in urine.
When using Benzoyl Peroxide, it may be irritating for some people due to a variety of reasons, such as a broken skin barrier or just an allergic reaction. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Benzoyl PeroxideWater. 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 GlycerinPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Curology Acne Cleanser 14 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Curology Acne Cleanser 14 ingredients
I’ve only used it for about a week and my breaks out have cleared up so much, has smoothed out my texture, and it’s gotten rid of most of my closed comedones.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser 23 ingredients
Swapped out the Differin 10% Benzoyl Peroxide wash for this and am loving it so far. The Differin cleanser caused all my skincare to foam up no matter how much I rinsed, but I’ve had no issues with this cleanser. Noticeable reduction in breakouts within 1-3 days + the formulation doesn’t feel like it strips my skin after using it. Highly recommend to combine adapalene gel with this if your skin Show more
