Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser Versus La Roche-Posay +M Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel - UK
Updated on November 01, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, oily skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser 32 ingredients
La Roche-Posay +M Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 20 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
Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser 32 ingredients
La Roche-Posay +M Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Formic Acid
Preservative
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Propanediol, Laureth-4, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Formic Acid, Maltodextrin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
PEG-8
HumectantCoco-Betaine
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
Masking
Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
Humectant
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-8, Coco-Betaine, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Zinc PCA, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, 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 WaterChances 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 AcidSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinSodium 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 HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser 32 ingredients
La Roche-Posay +M Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Ultraceuticals Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser 32 ingredients
La Roche-Posay +M Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 20 ingredients
i have an incredibly oily skin. other cleansers always required me to wash my skin at least twice to get all the oil off even when i wipe with micellar water beforehand. this thing leaves my skin super clean after the first wash and cleared out my skin in 2 days. might be harsh and drying if your skin is not that oily.
So I am about 2 months on Tretinoin, to help fix my post acne scars, and was looking for a cleanser that would cleanse my skin but not overstrip it - and I found my fit!
I used to use an exfoliating cleanser with Salicylic acid which obviously mix really bad with Tretinoin; it harmed my skin barrier and made it red and itchy. So for a while I used only very gentle cleanser for irritated skin, Show more
