Versus

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 - UK Versus COSRX Centella Blemish Cream

Day Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
French Brand France
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on January 30, 2025

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain SPF

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and silicones

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.

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 Dimethicone
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Zinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.

It can help reduce redness, regulate sebum, and promote the general healing process of the skin.

Zinc PCA tends to be especially useful for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It's certainly an ingredient worth trying out!

Learn more about Zinc PCA
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

When to use

220 Routines
78% use in am
22% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
336 Routines
21% use in am
79% use in pm
82% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30 34 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 4 ratings
Drying (1) Works Well (1)
Anti's avatar

Anti

4 years ago
Review

Great product but not great moisturizer
I used this product for a month. It has done great job for my acne prone skin and caused no break outs. However, it is not a great moisturizer itself. I mostly used it before my actuall moisturizer. Plus, it has spf.

COSRX Centella Blemish Cream 20 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 12 ratings
Works Well (4) No Scent (3) Great Value (3)
AnaRitaSantos's avatar

AnaRitaSantos

2 years ago
Review

Very mixed feelings about this one
Pros: very effective balm against irritation and redness, great brightening power. Cons: very strong white cast and it pills off awfully. Best used at night as spot treatment in small areas, keep the routine very basic to minimize pilling.

clementhyme's avatar

clementhyme

2 years ago
Review

loooove this, 100% night time product
definitely leaves a white cast you look like a little ghost, but soo soothing and refreshing for irritated, sensitive skin, has been helping my acne scars aswell as redness from acne/ just acne in general :)