La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel for oily skin
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Zinc Pca
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate cleansing for your oily skin, as Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine help remove impurities, while Zinc PCA and Citric Acid aid in seboregulation and pH balance.
- While beneficial for oily skin, the formula lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target and reduce oily shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
- Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
- You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
- Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 2.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly recommended for oily and acne-prone skin, effectively managing sebum and preventing breakouts without pore blockage. However, users with dry or sensitive skin frequently report it can be too stripping, potentially leading to tightness or dehydration if not followed by moisturizer.
Highlights
Controls excess oil Mostly Mentioned
- “keeps oil at bay”
- “cuts through grease”
- “skin stays matte longer”
- “perfect for summer oiliness”
Deep clean feeling Mostly Mentioned
- “squeaky clean feel”
- “pores feel breathable”
- “removes all impurities”
- “refreshing after a long day”
Clears acne and blemishes Often Mentioned
- “cleared my cystic acne”
- “stopped hormonal breakouts”
- “reduced pimple size”
- “skin looks much clearer”
Drying and stripping Often Mentioned
- “left my face tight”
- “stripped my natural oils”
- “too drying for winter”
- “caused flaky patches”
Efficient lather Sometimes Noted
- “a little goes a long way”
- “foams up beautifully”
- “rich lather”
- “bottle lasts for months”
Not for dry skin Sometimes Noted
- “made my dry skin worse”
- “avoid if you are dry”
- “sucked all moisture out”
- “clings to dry patches”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “smells like cheap soap”
- “fragrance is too strong”
- “perfumey scent lingers”
- “scent gave me a headache”
Irritation on sensitive areas Rarely Noted
- “burned my eyes”
- “stung my sensitive cheeks”
- “caused redness”
- “irritated my skin barrier”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, boots.com, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, target.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel work for oily skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for your oily skin, helping remove impurities and balance oil and pH, though it is missing specialized ingredients to reduce oily shine. To truly fit oily skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like Niacinamide, Ceramides, or Salicylic Acid to manage shine and support skin health.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine make this cleanser a good fit because they help wash away impurities, while Zinc PCA and Citric Acid aid in balancing oil and skin pH. A cleanser for this skin needs ingredients like Niacinamide, Ceramides, Glycerin, or salicylic acid to better manage shine and support skin health without causing dryness.
What does Sodium Laureth Sulfate do for oily skin?
Sodium laureth sulfate is a cleanser that removes excess oil, but it may dry out the skin and weaken its barrier. Because it is harsh, oily skin usually needs gentler cleansers containing mild surfactants and hydrating ingredients to stay calm and smooth.
What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for oily skin?
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a cleansing ingredient that helps wash away excess oil and dirt from oily skin. While it is generally safe for use in wash-off products, it is unlikely to change oil production and may cause mild skin irritation in some people.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning routine as the first step and in your evening routine right after removing makeup. It is safe for oily skin, but to better handle oily shine, this skin type needs a cleanser with specialized oil-controlling ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol as part of your routine, typically applying the cleanser first and following with your retinol treatment. This product helps remove impurities and balance skin pH while remaining safe for your skin, though an oily skin routine also needs specialized ingredients to effectively target and reduce oily shine.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It is unlikely to irritate oily skin, though this type of skin needs specialized ingredients to effectively target and reduce oily shine.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it gently washes away impurities and balances oil without harsh ingredients. However, because it lacks specialized ingredients to reduce oily shine, a product for this skin needs balancing ingredients like zinc PCA and gentle acids to help keep pores clear.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the thin skin around the eyes. The skin around the eyes is much thinner than body skin and needs gentler care to prevent irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment decreases lipid membrane chain conformational order and stiffness leading to increased water sorption and diffusivity, whereas sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) treatment increases lipid membrane conformational order and stiffness with increased water sorption capacity driven by its hygroscopic nature.
Langmuir, 2014The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003Zinc PCA inhibits UVA-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 production through suppressed AP-1 activation and enhances type I collagen synthesis by increasing SVCT2 mRNA expression in cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012
Why other cleansers fit oily skin better
A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.
International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Zinc Pca, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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How does it fit your skin?
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