La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash vs Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Cleanser

La Roche-Posay

Minimalist

A face wash built around Zinc salt, for soothing irritation and hydration.

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

Face wash

Face cleanser

16 ingredients

33 ingredients

Brand price

USD 18.99 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

INR 269.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from France

Brand from India

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Sulfate-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)1
Zinc salts, used for sebum control and soothing.
Zinc Gluconate
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)1
Zinc salts, used for sebum control and soothing.
Zinc PCA
Colloidal oatmeal1
Finely milled oat — an FDA-recognised skin protectant.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
AHA2
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid, Lactic Acid

Hydrating1
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin
Barrier Repair1
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Menthol, Zinc Gluconate
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Menthol

Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Anhydroxylitol, Betaine, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Zinc PCA
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Betaine, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Panthenol, Xylitol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Panthenol, Zinc PCA
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Hexylene Glycol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Coco-Betaine, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Menthol

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Sulfate surfactants (SLS/SLES)
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Decyl Glucoside (in both products)
Cleansing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Chloride
Fragrance
0-1 / —
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate (in both products)
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hexylene Glycol
Cleansing
0-2 / 1
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
Sodium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides (in both products)
Emulsifying

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Decyl Glucoside (in both products)
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate (in both products)
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- 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 →
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing, Emulsion Stabilising, Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside is the product obtained from the condensation of decyl alcohol with glucose
Learn more about Decyl Glucoside →
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 →
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Emulsifying
Mono-, di- and triglycerides, C8-10, ethoxylated (6 mol EO average molar ratio)
Learn more about PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides →
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic acid, 2-octanoyloxy-
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic Acid →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →