La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Versus Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
Updated on August 01, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, fragrances, parabens or 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
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser 16 ingredients
Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser 23 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
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser 16 ingredients
Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Coco-Betaine
CleansingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningMenthol
Masking
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingGlycereth-26
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Pantolactone
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Gluconolactone, Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Glycereth-26, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Pantolactone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser 16 ingredients
Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
