La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment Versus Glossier Zit Stick
Updated on July 20, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain benzoyl peroxide, exfoliants and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens 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
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment 13 ingredients
Glossier Zit Stick 32 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment 13 ingredients
Glossier Zit Stick 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 5.5%
Water
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSilica
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 ConditioningBenzoyl Peroxide 5%
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%, Water, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Isohexadecane, Saccharide Isomerate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, PEG-40 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Tocopherol
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 GlycerinSilica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment 13 ingredients
Glossier Zit Stick 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment 13 ingredients
I don't really have a lot of cystic acne or large noticeable skin issues so honestly, I didn't see very obvious results or large differences. But, however, I have noticed my skin feeling smoother, the skin tone feeling more even, and a lack of newly developed acne after using this every day for 3 weeks. This product is a good preventative measure and overall well formulated however you have to Show more
My holy grail for pimples, any red pustules gets flatten down, reduce and disappear with this.
