La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cream Cleanser for Oily Skin vs CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

La Roche-Posay

CeraVe

A face cleanser built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.

A face cleanser built around Benzoyl peroxide and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.

Face cleanser

12 ingredients

28 ingredients

Brand price

USD 24.99 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from France

Brand from United States

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
Benzoyl peroxide1
An antibacterial acne treatment that kills C. acnes.
Benzoyl Peroxide
AHA2
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid1
The smallest AHA, and so the most penetrating.
Glycolic Acid

Hydrating2
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, Stearic Acid
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid
Smoothing2
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Palmitic Acid, Salicylic Acid
Acne Fighting1
Helps clear breakouts and keep pores clear.
Salicylic Acid

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine, Propylene Glycol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Anti-Aging1
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Glycolic Acid

May Trigger Acne5
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glyceryl Stearate Se, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris5
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glyceryl Stearate Se, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Glyceryl Stearate Se, Parfum

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
3 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Potassium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0-1 / —
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
3 / 2
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
2-3 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
4 / 1
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
2 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Tetrasodium EDTA (in both products)
Chelating
0 / —

Benzoyl Peroxide
Oxidising
0 / —
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Acne Fighting
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
0 / 0
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
Cleansing
0-1 / —
Potassium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0-1 / —
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Potassium Hydroxide
Buffering
Potassium Hydroxide is the inorganic base
Learn more about Potassium Hydroxide →
Tetrasodium EDTA
Chelating
Tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Tetrasodium EDTA →