Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser For Oily Skin
Updated on November 01, 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 fighting acne and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash 14 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser For Oily Skin 14 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash 14 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser For Oily Skin 14 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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 WaterSodium 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 HydroxideChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash 14 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser For Oily Skin 14 ingredients


Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Clear & Defend + Facial Wash 14 ingredients
Broke me out and dried my skin. Skincare companies stop putting acne triggering ingredients in acne washes please.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser For Oily Skin 14 ingredients
Too much work
My skin is a combination type so I struggle with a lot of oil production BUT dehydration-prone type. So, I was actually skeptical about this product. However, it did the job for me just fine at the end? It actually reduced all the redness around my T-Zone. Also it is really effective against new appearing pimples. Like, give it two days and it will heal just because of this cleanser. Show more