La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Versus Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel
Updated on August 14, 2023
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, dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, 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
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser 16 ingredients
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 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
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingPropanediol
SolventPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
MaskingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Copper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Parfum
Masking
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Coco-Betaine, Propanediol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Dipropylene Glycol, Zinc Gluconate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Copper Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterChances 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 ChlorideCoco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.
Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
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 HydroxideZinc gluconate has antibacterial and wound healing properties. It is particularly effective against fighting inflammatory acne.
This ingredient is the zinc salt of the PHA gluconic acid. PHAs are gentle cousins to AHAs.
Ingredient 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
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser 16 ingredients
om the stronger side but works well for my oily acne probe skin. feels like it's really clearing out my sebum. would make sure to pair it with a Hydrating routine
Drying. Made my skin produce more oil to make up for the dryness, and made more breakouts.
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients
I've tried a numerous amount of cleansers for my acne prone skin, but I always come back to this one! If you have acne prone skin that reacts well to salicylic acid - you should definitely give Vichy a try!
Amazing
I love this product. Make skin feel fresh after using this cleanser. I apply it with bit of water and massage into my skin . I wait a minute to wash it of..it keeps my acne away.
