Versus

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Facial Wash For Oily Skin - France Versus CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser - Australia

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
French Brand France
American Brand United States

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.

Masking, Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

When to use

144 Routines
42% use in am
58% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
954 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Facial Wash For Oily Skin 20 ingredients

4.8 /5
from 5 ratings
Works Well (4) Drying (3) Light Scent (2)
maryammohamed1's avatar

Maryam

1 month ago
Review

i use it every day
it's safe for FA
a bit drying if you didn't apply moisturizer after
i only use it at night, cleansing my pores so well tho

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
MiroslavaBedrozova_812's avatar
Review

The skin feels clean but tight.

#drying
#light scent
#works well

CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser 27 ingredients

2.9 /5
from 14 ratings
Works Well (6) Irritating (4) Great Value (4)
BrianO_698's avatar

BrianO_698

1 year ago
Review

I use micellar water then follow-up with this cleanser. I witnessed a reduction in almost all new acne spots. Should be used as a deep-clean solution. I used the Vichy Normaderm Phytocleanser before this Cerave cleanser and I notice a considerably deeper clean than the latter.

#great value
#light
#works well