Benzoyl Peroxide
Skin Conditioning
Benzoyl Peroxide is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Acne Face Wash with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Acne Face Wash with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide is a cleanser designed to address acne-prone skin. It combines benzoyl peroxide with hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients such as glycerin, niacinamide, and sodium hyaluronate. The formula also includes exfoliating acids like glycolic and citric acid, contributing to skin texture improvement while requiring careful use due to potential irritation.
Dupes for
Facial cleansers with benzoyl peroxide focus on acne treatment but can vary in hydration and soothing properties. The inclusion of niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate supports skin barrier repair and hydration, which can help reduce irritation often linked to acne-fighting ingredients. Some formulas also include exfoliating acids like glycolic and citric acid, which influence skin texture and brightness but may increase sensitivity.
Hydrating agents such as glycerin and propylene glycol contribute to moisture retention and cushioning skin feel. The presence of multiple actives like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid targets skin texture and anti-aging benefits alongside acne control. However, the combination of exfoliating acids and potential irritants requires attention to skin tolerance and routine layering to balance efficacy and comfort.
What's inside
Ingredients List
Benefit signalWatch noteFunctional base
Benzoyl Peroxide
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin Conditioning
HydratingGlycerin
Humectant
0 / 0HydratingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
0 / 0HydratingIrritation riskCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Skin Conditioning
+18 more ingredients
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Barrier supportBrighteningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
0 / 0HydratingBarrier supportCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
HydratingDiethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Irritation riskTetrasodium Edta
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Skin Conditioning
Irritation risk
Key ingredients
Benefits
+1 more signals
Concerns
Ingredients Explained
Water
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Water is the base of many cosmetic formulas. It usually appears near the top of an ingredient list because it helps dissolve other ingredients and gives the formula its fluid texture.
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On skin, water is not the active treatment by itself; its main job is to carry humectants, antioxidants, and supporting ingredients so the product can spread evenly.
Glycerin
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, helping to maintain hydration levels. It supports the skin’s natural barrier function by preventing dryness and promoting softness.
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In this formula, glycerin contributes to the hydrating and barrier repair benefits, balancing the potential drying effects of acne-fighting ingredients.
Propylene Glycol
Humectant, Solvent
Propylene Glycol is a supporting ingredient that works as both a humectant and a solvent. It helps pull water toward the skin surface while also helping other ingredients dissolve cleanly in the formula.
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In a serum, it can improve slip and help the product feel less patchy as it spreads. Very reactive skin may still want to patch test, especially when it appears in an already active formula.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Xanthan Gum
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Potassium Hydroxide
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Sodium Chloride
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Sodium Citrate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Niacinamide
Barrier Support, Brightening
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 known for its ability to improve skin texture and reduce irritation. It supports the skin barrier and can help brighten the complexion over time.
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Its inclusion in this cleanser aims to soothe the skin and enhance overall skin tone while complementing the acne-targeting ingredients.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium hyaluronate is a salt form of hyaluronic acid that penetrates the skin to provide hydration and plumping effects. It supports anti-aging benefits by maintaining skin moisture and elasticity.
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Within this product, it helps counterbalance potential dryness from active ingredients, contributing to skin comfort and resilience.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Propanediol
Solvent, Humectant
Propanediol is a solvent and humectant that helps a formula feel smoother and more hydrated. It can support ingredient delivery while keeping the texture lightweight.
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It is often used as a gentler-feeling functional base ingredient. In this product, read it as part of the formula's comfort and spreadability system rather than as the main treatment claim.
Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Carbomer
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Benzoic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Sodium Hydroxide
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Glycolic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin by loosening dead skin cells, promoting smoother texture and brighter appearance.
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While beneficial for skin renewal, glycolic acid can increase sensitivity and irritation, especially in combination with other active ingredients, so its use should be monitored.
Tetrasodium Edta
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium Edta is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.
Citric Acid
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid is included as a skin conditioning ingredient in this formula. Its practical effect depends on concentration, formula context, and how your skin tolerates the finished product.