1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Hydration
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser
face gel cleanser
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser
face gel cleanser
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
Dry
55%
Combination (dry)
55%
Balanced
85%
Combination (oily)
85%
Oily
85%
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16
Ingredients
1
Benefits
1
Actives
A facial wash for oily skin that gently cleanses impurities and excess sebum, leaving skin looking clean and fresh. The high-performance facial wash is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, and helps to reduce unwanted shine while conditioning and hydrating the skin.
Key Insights
Benefits
1
Hydration
Active Ingredients
1
AHA
Risks
3
Paraben
Sulfate
Synthetic polymer
Full Ingredients
16 total
About Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser
Overview
Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser is a lightweight gel cleanser from La Roche-Posay, a brand based in France. The ingredient list runs to 16 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
Texture and finish
By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order.
What the formula does
Hydration: Moderate. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Water and Zinc PCA.
Who it suits
On richness alone it suits Balanced, Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Several ingredients carry irritation flags. If your skin is reactive, this is one to patch test carefully or approach slowly.
What it does not target
The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection, brightening and tone and soothing. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
What is not in it
Reading the full list, the formula is essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, silicone-free, microplastic-free, dye-free and oil-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging. It does contain fragrance, worth knowing if your skin reacts to any of them.
Where it fits in a routine
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes first step. Use on damp skin and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a toner or essence while skin is still slightly damp.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Pros and cons
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Pros
- No essential oils
- No drying alcohol
- Silicone-free
- No microplastics
Things to know
- Contains fragrance or declared fragrance allergens
- 3 ingredients could feed malassezia (fungal acne)
- Several ingredients carry irritation flags
Which skin types it suits
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
Suitable for
- Balanced skin
- Combination (oily) skin
- Oily skin
Less suitable for
- Dry skin
- Combination (dry) skin
Sensitive skin
Several ingredients here carry irritation flags. If your skin is reactive or you have rosacea, introduce this slowly, or ask a dermatologist first.
Skin concerns
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Helps with
-
Hydration 2 ingredients
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Does not target
Anti-Acne
Anti-Aging
Blackhead Reducing
Dark Spot Fading
Evens Skin Tone
Oil Control
Pore Minimizer
Smooths Bumpy Skin
Soothing
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
Key ingredients
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Proline, 5-oxo-, zinc salt
Hydration
Citric Acid
AHA
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
Formula analysis
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Hydration
Moderate
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Barrier support
None
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Antioxidant support
None
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Oil control
Low
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Brightening
None
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Soothing
None
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Cell renewal
None
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Firmness signalling
None
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
Active and supporting ingredients
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Active ingredients (1)
- Citric Acid · under 1%
Supporting ingredients (15)
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Water
Decyl Glucoside
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Polyglyceryl-3 Hydroxylauryl Ether
Peg-4 Dilaurate
Peg-4 Laurate
Zinc PCA
Disodium Edta
Polyquaternium-7
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Peg-4
Methylparaben
Propylparaben
Parfum
What is and is not in it
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Free from
- Essential-oil-free
- No drying alcohol
- Silicone-free
- Microplastic-free
- Dye-free
- Oil-free
- No animal-derived ingredients
Contains
-
Fragrance
Parfum
-
Parabens
Methylparaben, Propylparaben
-
Sulfates
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
What to layer it with
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Compatible with
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
- Retinoids (retinol, retinal)
- AHAs (glycolic, lactic)
- BHA (salicylic acid)
- PHAs (gluconolactone)
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Azelaic acid
- Copper peptides
- Bakuchiol
- Niacinamide
- Hyaluronic acid
- Ceramides
- Signal peptides
- Panthenol
- Sunscreen
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
Where it fits in a routine
Morning
Evening
- Cleanse
- Toning
- Treat
- Moisturise
- Protect
This product is the "Cleanse" step.
- Use on damp skin and rinse thoroughly.
- Follow with a toner or essence while skin is still slightly damp.
Safety and suitability
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
- Fungal acne (malassezia)
- 3 ingredients could feed malassezia: Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Peg-4 Dilaurate, Peg-4 Laurate. That is about the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that you will break out.
- Sensitive and reactive skin
- Several ingredients here carry irritation flags. If your skin is reactive or you have rosacea, introduce this slowly, or ask a dermatologist first.
- Recorded ingredient risks
- Paraben, Sulfate, Synthetic polymer
Ingredients by function
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 16 ingredients on the label.
6
Surfactant
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
3
Preservative
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
2
Humectant
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
2
Chelator
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
2
Solvent
Dissolves and carries everything else
2
Texture agent
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
1
Active
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
1
Fragrance / colour
Changes how the product smells or looks
1
Occlusive
Forms a film that slows water loss
1
pH adjuster
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Ingredient breakdown
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
- Estimated level
- 30–80%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Solvent
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Hydration
3 scientific references
- Skin Research and Technology, May 2015, pages 131-136
- Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, November-December 1999, pages 344-351
- Journal of Cosmetic Science, September-October 1993, pages 249-262
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Surfactant, Texture agent
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
D-Glucoside, Decyl
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Surfactant
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
sodium 2-(2-dodecyloxyethoxy)ethyl sulphate
Sulfate
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Surfactant
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, ether with methyl d-glucopyranoside 2,6-bis[(Z)-9-octadecenoate] (2:1) (120 mol EO average molar ratio)
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Surfactant
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1,2,3-Propanetriol, homopolymer, 2-hydroxydodecyl ethers (1:1) (3 mol glycerol average molar ratio)
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Surfactant
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(1-oxododecyl)-.omega.-[(1-oxododecyl)oxy]- (4 mol EO average molar ratio)
- Estimated level
- 1–5%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Surfactant
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(1-oxododecyl)-.omega.-hydroxy- (4 mol EO average molar ratio)
- Estimated level
- 1–5%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Humectant
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Proline, 5-oxo-, zinc salt
Hydration
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Texture agent, Chelator
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Active, Chelator, pH adjuster
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Occlusive
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Polyquaternium-7 is the polymeric quaternary ammonium salt of acrylamide and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride
Synthetic polymer
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Preservative
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3-Iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Humectant, Solvent
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy- (4 mol EO average molar ratio)
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Preservative
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
Paraben
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Preservative
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
Paraben
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Fragrance / colour
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Parfum is a term for ingredient labelling used to identify that a product contains a material or a combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular odour. According to Article 19 of the Cosmetics Regulation, 'Perfume and aromatic compositions and their raw materials shall be referred to by the terms ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’. '
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Frequently asked questions
What ingredients are in Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser?
WATER, DECYL GLUCOSIDE, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE, POLYGLYCERYL-3 HYDROXYLAURYL ETHER, PEG-4 DILAURATE, PEG-4 LAURATE, ZINC PCA, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, POLYQUATERNIUM-7, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE, PEG-4, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, PARFUM.
What are the active ingredients in Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser?
CITRIC ACID.
How do I use Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser?
Lather the gel between wet hands and apply to the face by massaging the skin gently. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with Effaclar Duo+M Anti-Blemish Corrective Gel Moisturiser.
What skin types is Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser good for?
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced, Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
Is Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser good for sensitive skin?
Some ingredients here carry irritation flags, so sensitive skin should patch test on the jawline for a few days before applying it to the whole face.
Is Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser fungal acne safe?
3 ingredients could feed malassezia: Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Peg-4 Dilaurate, Peg-4 Laurate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that they will cause a breakout.
Can I use Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser while pregnant?
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Is Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser fragrance free?
No — it contains Parfum.
Does Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser contain alcohol?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Is Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser silicone free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
Does Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser contain essential oils?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Is Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser paraben free?
No — it contains Methylparaben, Propylparaben.
What can I layer with Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser?
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
When should I apply Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser?
Use it morning and evening, first step.
How many ingredients does Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser have?
It lists 16 ingredients, of which 1 are recorded as actives.
Who makes Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser?
La Roche-Posay, a brand based in France.