Kiehl's Expertly Clear Acne-Treating & Preventing Lotion Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Daily Face Moisturizer For Oily Skin
This acne treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
This oil-control moisturizer is formulated around Sarcosine and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingZinc PCA
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Menthol
Masking
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Salicylic Acid 1.2%
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Laureth-4, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Propylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethiconol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Zinc PCA, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Silica Silylate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Menthol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Salicylic Acid 1.2%
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Acrylamide
Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Va Copolymer
Methyl Methacrylate
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingIsohexadecane
EmollientPerlite
Absorbent
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Tetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isocetyl Stearate, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylamide, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Vp/Va Copolymer, Methyl Methacrylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cocamide Mea, Sarcosine, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Isohexadecane, Perlite, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 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.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Salicylic 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
