La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel - UK Versus Skinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser
Updated on November 14, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain sulfates
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 Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel 18 ingredients
Skinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser 24 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel 18 ingredients
Skinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser 24 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
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Tetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Menthol
Masking
Polyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Betaine, Salicylic Acid, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Menthol, Polyquaternium-47, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarrageenan
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glucose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentParfum
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Vinegar
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Rubus Idaeus Extract
Skin ProtectingAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Lactic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carrageenan, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Glucose, Phenoxyethanol, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Parfum, Arginine, Vinegar, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Rubus Idaeus Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
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 WaterDecyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideGlycerin 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 GlycerinSodium 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 HydroxideCitric 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 AcidSodium 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 BenzoateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel 18 ingredients
Skinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel 18 ingredients
Completely destroyed my skin barrier! I have combination but mostly oily/acne-prone skin, so I normally don't mind products being a little bit on the strong side in order to get rid of all the oil my skin can produce during the day. But this was way too much. It has mint on it, which can be refreshing for the oily areas, but in the normal/sensitive areas is way too harsh, in fact it caused an Show more
This is my staple basic cleanser - big bottle for a few bucks, lasts for ~7 months (the 400ml bottle). Tiny drop is enough to clean the whole face, nice and foamy. Neutral smell. Gentle and effective ingredients. Probably won't clear your acne alone, but it's definitely a nice addition to the routine if you're looking for something simple.
