Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin .
Last updated on October 24, 2023. Published on January 11, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 9 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 fragrances
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
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
Ingredient Info
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin 14 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin 14 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin 14 ingredients
Salicylic Acid 0.5% • Water • Coco-Betaine • Propanediol • Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate • Sodium Chloride • Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate • Dipropylene Glycol • Zinc Gluconate • Bifida Ferment Lysate • Sodium Hydroxide • Sodium Benzoate • Phenoxyethanol • Copper Gluconate • Caprylyl Glycol • Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate • Parfum
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterVichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin contains this as ingredient number 1.
Coco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.
Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 3.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin contains this as ingredient number 4.
Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate is used to improve texture and stability of a product. It is sugar based and helps thicken a product.
Once applied, it also creates a thin film to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
This ingredient is the polyethylene glycol ether of the diester of oleic acid and methylglucose. The 120 represents an average of 120 moles of ethylene oxide.
There is limited research on this ingredient, although it is considered safe to use in skincare products.
Learn more about Peg-120 Methyl Glucose DioleateVichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 5.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin contains this as ingredient number 7.
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 ChlorideVichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 HydroxideVichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 11.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin contains this as ingredient number 9.
Sodium 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.
Sodium Benzoate 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 BenzoateVichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 12.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin contains this as ingredient number 11.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 13.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin contains this as ingredient number 12.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolVichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 15.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin contains this as ingredient number 13.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumVichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 17.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin contains this as ingredient number 14.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin 14 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin 14 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients
I've tried a numerous amount of cleansers for my acne prone skin, but I always come back to this one! If you have acne prone skin that reacts well to salicylic acid - you should definitely give Vichy a try!
I've tried a numerous amount of cleansers for my acne prone skin, but I always come back to this one! If you have acne prone skin that reacts well to salicylic acid - you should definitely give Vichy a try!
Amazing
I love this product. Make skin feel fresh after using this cleanser. I apply it with bit of water and massage into my skin . I wait a minute to wash it of..it keeps my acne away.
Amazing
I love this product. Make skin feel fresh after using this cleanser. I apply it with bit of water and massage into my skin . I wait a minute to wash it of..it keeps my acne away.
This cleanser is magic
If you have oily acne prone skin, it’s your best friend ... cleaning pores and make it really smooth over 1~2 weeks it reduce acne scares as well
This cleanser is magic
If you have oily acne prone skin, it’s your best friend ... cleaning pores and make it really smooth over 1~2 weeks it reduce acne scares as well
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin 14 ingredients
Got by accident, didnt like
Swapped from cerave salicylic acid cleanser to this one, I meant to buy the effaclar with salicylic acid in it, got a lot more breakouts after using and skin was quite red, wouldnt recommend for acne prone...
Got by accident, didnt like
Swapped from cerave salicylic acid cleanser to this one, I meant to buy the effaclar with salicylic acid in it, got a lot more breakouts after using and skin was quite red, wouldnt recommend for acne prone skin, just get effaclar with salicylic acid in it.
Tried this before I realised my skin was dry, when I thought having acne = oily skin. Despite that, I don't think any cleanser should be this drying and irritating.
Tried this before I realised my skin was dry, when I thought having acne = oily skin. Despite that, I don't think any cleanser should be this drying and irritating.
Broke me out and damaged my skin barrier
I have acne-prone / oily skin and this cleanser broke me out so bad, and after using it for 6 months I realised that it was not a part of a “healing” process for my skin. Also, I never ever...
Broke me out and damaged my skin barrier
I have acne-prone / oily skin and this cleanser broke me out so bad, and after using it for 6 months I realised that it was not a part of a “healing” process for my skin. Also, I never ever struggled with large pores and closed comedones but after using this product it became a problem. Needless to say that it not only broke me out a lot but also ruined my skin barrier. That was only my experience but I highly suggest buying something else as your cleanser.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Cleanser for Oily Skin.
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