La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment Versus Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment With 5% Benzoyl Peroxide
Updated on January 27, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain benzoyl peroxide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne and dry 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment 13 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment With 5% Benzoyl Peroxide 14 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
Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment With 5% Benzoyl Peroxide 14 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
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 Conditioning
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 WaterAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
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 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
Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment With 5% Benzoyl Peroxide 14 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.
Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment With 5% Benzoyl Peroxide 14 ingredients
I use this with the Paula's Choice CLEAR pore normalizing cleanser 🫧 Using both together has been a game changer for my skin. I finally don't struggle with horrible breakouts. This is drying and can cause irritation if used wrong. Make sure you are using a good moisturizer after applying. I either spot treat when needed or once a week I will apply a small amount allover face before bed.
I’ve tried this product multiple times and every time it broke me out. I only put it on my problem areas as prevention + treatment and more of them appeared.
