Versus

Proactiv Mineral Acne Cleanser Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
French Brand France

Updated on December 31, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

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

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Buffering

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

When to use

4 Routines
25% use in am
75% use in pm
75% use every day
536 Routines
42% use in am
58% use in pm
88% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Proactiv Mineral Acne Cleanser 21 ingredients

Mineral Acne Cleanser hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser 16 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 4 ratings
Irritating (2) Broke Me Out (2) Great Value (1)
sacante's avatar

sacante

16 days ago
Review

om the stronger side but works well for my oily acne probe skin. feels like it's really clearing out my sebum. would make sure to pair it with a Hydrating routine

#great value
#works well
madisondorman's avatar

Madison Dorman

6 months ago
Review

Drying. Made my skin produce more oil to make up for the dryness, and made more breakouts.

#drying
#broke me out
#light
#light scent