Versus

Vichy Normaderm Phytosolution Intensive Purifying Gel Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
French Brand France
French Brand France

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 5 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, 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

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
Cleansing, Skin Conditioning

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.

Masking

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
Skin Conditioning

Zinc gluconate has antibacterial and wound healing properties. It is particularly effective against fighting inflammatory acne.

This ingredient is the zinc salt of the PHA gluconic acid. PHAs are gentle cousins to AHAs.

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

When to use

197 Routines
47% use in am
53% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
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

Vichy Normaderm Phytosolution Intensive Purifying Gel 17 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Drying (1) Great Value (1) Irritating (1)
ainym's avatar

Ainy M

9 months ago
Review

7/10

#great value
#drying
#irritating
#works well

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