La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment Versus Caudalie Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid
This acne treatment is formulated around Benzoyl Peroxide and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
This oil-control moisturizer is formulated around Silica to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 5.5%
Water
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Tapioca Starch
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingVitis Vinifera Juice
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Water, Silica, Squalane, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Glyceryl Stearate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Alcohol Denat., Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Mentha Piperita Oil, Citral, Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citronellol, Maltodextrin, Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Oleanolic Acid, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
