Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum versus Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser .
Published on December 08, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Face Cleanser
Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).
Price
Ingredient Info
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum 20 ingredients
Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser 15 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum 20 ingredients
Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser 15 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum 20 ingredients
Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser 15 ingredients
Water • Alcohol Denat. • Propanediol • Glycolic Acid • Niacinamide • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Pentylene Glycol • Sodium Hydroxide • Ppg-26-Buteth-26 • Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid • Citric Acid • Peg-30 Glyceryl Cocoate • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Capryloyl Salicylic Acid • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Maltodextrin • Phytic Acid • Polyquaternium-10 • Parfum
Water • Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate • Cocamidopropyl Betaine • Lauryl Glucoside • Decyl Glucoside • Propanediol • Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate • Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate • Salicylic Acid • Sodium Benzoate • Stearamidopropyl Betaine • Dimethyltolylamine • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Hydroxide • Citric Acid
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterLa Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.
It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolLa Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 HydroxideLa Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 14.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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.
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 look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidLa Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 15.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum 20 ingredients
Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser 15 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum 20 ingredients
Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser 15 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 16 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum.
See 16 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Gel Cleanser.
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