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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser .

Published on June 12, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens and sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Face Cleanser American Brand United States
Face Cleanser French Brand France

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).

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

Shop

Buy Acne Clearing Wash

Starts at $39.00
Shop

Buy Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser

Starts at $18.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (5)
Eczema (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Acid

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash contains this as ingredient number 5.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 16.

2
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash contains this as ingredient number 16.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 7.

3
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

This ingredient is derived from caprylic and capric acids. It is an emulsifier with emollient properties.

According to the manufacturer, it is hydrophilic and soluble in aqueous solutions (water). They also state this ingredient is stable in a medium pH range (~5 - 8).

As an emulsifier, it helps make oils and oil-soluble ingredients more soluble in water.

Learn more about Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash contains this as ingredient number 18.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 10.

4
What it does: Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances 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 Chloride

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash contains this as ingredient number 25.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

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 Hydroxide

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash contains this as ingredient number 27.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 9.

6
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.

SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash contains this as ingredient number 28.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash contains this as ingredient number 30.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

17% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
70% are disliked or very disliked
3% have no rating yet
25% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
56% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser.

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