Versus

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Face Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin Versus Murad Clarifying Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
French Brand France
American Brand United States

Updated on August 20, 2024

Overview

What they are

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

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens

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

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Clarifying Cleanser

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

Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.

Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.

Masking, Refreshing

Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.

Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.

Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Menthol
Buffering, Masking

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 Acid

When to use

154 Routines
42% use in am
58% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
127 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
91% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Face Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin 17 ingredients

Effaclar Medicated Gel Face Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Murad Clarifying Cleanser 31 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Broke Me Out (1) Drying (1) Expensive (1)
ameliatayler's avatar

Amelia 🩷

9 months ago
Review

Pretty good for teen acne and fa prone skin, can be quite drying from the salicylic acid though so use hydrating products

#expensive
#no scent
#works well
fatimadrammeh's avatar

Fatima Drammeh

5 months ago
Review

I am disappointed because I had high hopes in this product. I have oily Sensitive skin and I was hoping using this product will help my clear my skin. When I used this, it only clogged my pores and caused my skin to be very dry and cause texture all over my forehead

#drying
#broke me out
#irritating