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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment versus Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment .

Last updated on July 20, 2023. Published on November 22, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain 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, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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 French Brand France
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

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

Facial Treatment

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

Price

Shop

Buy Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment

Starts at $22.99
Shop

Buy Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment

Starts at $21.00

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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Benzoyl Peroxide

Benefits

Hydrating
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
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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: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 2.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
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

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 4.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.

3
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 10.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 18.

4
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium 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 EDTA

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 12.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 20.

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

31% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
54% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
8% 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

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment 13 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 12 reviews
Mirq's Avatar'
May 14, 2023

Great spot treatment but expensive
I used it as a spot treatment and it worked beautifully for me. I have sensitive combo skin and every time I’ve got some whitehead i used it on it and in it disappeared. Definitely wouldn’t use it...

Great spot treatment but expensive
I used it as a spot treatment and it worked beautifully for me. I have sensitive combo skin and every time I’ve got some whitehead i used it on it and in it disappeared. Definitely wouldn’t use it every day or as a moisturiser. The only reason why i don't like it is, because it's really expensive.

betterskinpls's Avatar'
Aug 31, 2023

This calmed down my sudden acne

This calmed down my sudden acne

ab666's Avatar'
Sep 25, 2023

This shit is miraculous.

This shit is miraculous.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment 26 ingredients

Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 33 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 15 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment.

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