MediCube Red Succinic Acid Serum Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum
Updated on February 10, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
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
MediCube Red Succinic Acid Serum 51 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum 19 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
MediCube Red Succinic Acid Serum 51 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum 19 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Succinic Acid
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Polyisobutene
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Tromethamine
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Monascus Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Geranium Maculatum Oil
Masking
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Ether, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Succinic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Betaine, Propanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Polyisobutene, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Squalane, Allantoin, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Tromethamine, Adenosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Monascus Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Dextrin, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic 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
Skin Conditioning
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
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 WaterNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
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 PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
MediCube Red Succinic Acid Serum 51 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum 19 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
MediCube Red Succinic Acid Serum 51 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum 19 ingredients
This product was horrible for me! First I got it recommended by a pharmacist for my face, but back then it was too tingly and I stopped using it. Now because I’ve gotten a bit bacne I would use it there. Apparently I might be allergic, and now I have to throw it out for good! I don’t know who’s face can tolerate this concentrated serum :/
Worth the try for ACNE skin
I used it for about 2 years and I was more than satisfied. Upon returning on my Erasmus trip, it broke me out and made my skin dry. I don't know if anything happened during the trip but right now I don't use it. It's really good if you have taken acne treatment pills and you need smt to keep the acne away (from my experience at least).
