Urban Skin Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment
Updated on June 01, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain benzoyl peroxide and exfoliants
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 common allergens, fragrances, parabens or 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
Urban Skin Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment 48 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment 13 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Urban Skin Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment 48 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment 13 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Oligopeptide-68
Bleaching
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tall Oil Sterol
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Arnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Echinacea Purpurea Adventitious Root
EmollientOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lecithin
EmollientSodium Phytate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Oleate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDiheptyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%, Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Oligopeptide-68, Alpha-Arbutin, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Tall Oil Sterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Arnica Montana Extract, Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Zinc Oxide, Echinacea Purpurea Adventitious Root, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Silica, Sodium Citrate, Diheptyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Sorbitan Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Benzoic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil
Benzoyl Peroxide 5.5%
Water
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningIngredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoyl Peroxide is famous for fighting acne. This is because it does a variety of tasks on the skin: it helps reduce excess oil, kill bacteria, and clear out dead skin cells. In other words, it is effective at unclogging pores.
These properties make it great at fighting different types of acne, including cystic and inflammatory types of acne.
When targeting the bacteria in your pores, Benzoyl Peroxide has been shown to kill the bacteria without causing sensitivity. It also helps keep your skin's natural bacteria and biome balanced. Having a healthy biome protects your skin from external harmful factors.
Once Benzoyl Peroxide is absorbed into the skin, our bodies turn it into benzoic acid and quickly exits in urine.
When using Benzoyl Peroxide, it may be irritating for some people due to a variety of reasons, such as a broken skin barrier or just an allergic reaction. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Benzoyl PeroxideWater. 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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTACarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Urban Skin Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment 48 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment 13 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Urban Skin Clear Complexion Acne Serum + Spot Treatment 48 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Dual Action Acne Treatment 13 ingredients
I don't really have a lot of cystic acne or large noticeable skin issues so honestly, I didn't see very obvious results or large differences. But, however, I have noticed my skin feeling smoother, the skin tone feeling more even, and a lack of newly developed acne after using this every day for 3 weeks. This product is a good preventative measure and overall well formulated however you have to Show more
My holy grail for pimples, any red pustules gets flatten down, reduce and disappear with this.
