Versus

La Roche-Posay EFFACLAR K+ Versus Neutrogena Clear and Defend + Gel Moisturiser with Niacinamide and Panthenol

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
French Brand France
American Brand United States

Updated on December 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain 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

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
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
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
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

When to use

277 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
20 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
95% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay EFFACLAR K+ 24 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 3 ratings
KaterinaLaskaraki_411's avatar

KaterinaLaskaraki_411

2 years ago
Review

i dont see a change on my skin. it is still oily with black spots. I use this product since a year ago but Im dissapointed.

Neutrogena Clear and Defend + Gel Moisturiser with Niacinamide and Panthenol 18 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Great Value (2) Hydrating (2) No Scent (2)
binxroth's avatar

cloud

9 months ago
Review

I've had this for two weeks now and I can say It definitely keeps my skin hydrated but it does absolutely zero for oil production I swear it probably makes me more oily. I end up having to powder my face with pressed powder to get the feeling of oiliness off my face.

I also use this at night time and when I wake up I can literally feel oil all over my face, especially my t-zone and forehead. I Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#oily
#no scent
supremeshah's avatar

süpremşah

1 month ago
Review

I’ve been using this twice a day for a week now and my notes are:
-oil control is excellent for my combination skin
-good makeup base
-cleared my painful (not severe) acne almost immediately??
-no effects on texture
(edit: t-zone gradually became more oily so 3/5)
(edit2: I thought that niacinamide was too much for me but recently found that this specific formulation causes sensitivity NOT Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#irritating
#no scent