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La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum
A serum built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for smoothing and brightening.
Brand price
USD 44.99 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · on the brand's site
From the brand
What the brand says about this product. Our ingredient analysis follows below.
The brand recommends it for
- Combination skin
- Normal skin
- Acne & blemishes
- Dark spots & pigmentation
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Large pores
- Uneven texture
How to use
Shake well for even application. After cleansing face, apply affected area with a thin layer. Do not rinse off. Start with one application daily, then gradually increase to 2 or 3 times daily if needed.
Caution
Do not use on peeling or compromised skin. Avoid eye contour and contact with eyes. *This product contains an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.
What's inside
Ingredients List
5 trigger at least one check · 15 trigger none
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
PEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Alcohol Denat.
Antifoaming, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Alcohol Denat. is a drying alcohol.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat. →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Glycolic Acid →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Dimethyl Isosorbide
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
1,4:3,6-Dianhydro-2,5-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol
Learn more about Dimethyl Isosorbide →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →PPG-26-BUTETH-26
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Oxirane, methyl-, polymer with oxirane, monobutyl ether
Learn more about PPG-26-BUTETH-26 →Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
Buffering
4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid
Learn more about Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid →
Dupes
- SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum68% match
- The Derma Co Sali-Cinamide Anti-Acne Serum with 2% Salicylic Acid & 5% Niacinamide61% match