La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum Versus Mario Badescu Clarifying Serum with Azelaic Acid
This acne serum is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
This acne serum is formulated around Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate and Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate to clear breakouts and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phytic Acid
Polyquaternium-10
Parfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Citric Acid, PEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Maltodextrin, Phytic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
PCA
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Orthosiphon Stamineus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Azelaic Acid, Inulin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Chlorphenesin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Sulfite, PCA, Lactic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Sodium Benzoate, Alanine, Sodium Chloride, Glycine, Polyglycerin-6, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Potassium Sorbate, Orthosiphon Stamineus Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Proline, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid
Reviews
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 alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
