La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Cleanser for oily skin
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Low
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for oily skin; the cleansers alongside 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 due to sodium laureth sulfate and zinc PCA, which help cleanse pores and regulate oil production. However, it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively manage oily shine, potentially not sufficiently addressing your primary concern.
- The formula is highly suitable for oily skin due to the presence of Zinc PCA, which offers seboregulation and helps to control excess oil production.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 3.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly recommended for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, effectively reducing excess oil and clearing breakouts without significant irritation. A considerable number of users report clearer skin and fewer blemishes. However, some users find the formula to be too drying, especially with frequent use or in dry conditions.
Highlights
Clears acne Mostly Mentioned
- “significant reduction in pimples”
- “cleared my cystic acne”
- “stops breakouts before they start”
- “skin is finally blemish-free”
Deep clean feeling Often Mentioned
- “skin feels squeaky clean”
- “removes all traces of makeup”
- “pores look smaller and cleaner”
- “refreshing after a long day”
Effective oil control Often Mentioned
- “cuts through grease immediately”
- “keeps my face matte longer”
- “removes all excess sebum”
- “great for my oily t-zone”
Drying or stripping Often Mentioned
- “left my skin feeling tight”
- “caused dry flaky patches”
- “too harsh for twice daily”
- “stripped my moisture barrier”
High efficiency/value Sometimes Noted
- “a little goes a long way”
- “one bottle lasts for months”
- “tiny drop foams up huge”
- “worth the price for longevity”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like chemicals”
- “strong floral fragrance”
- “scent is too overpowering”
- “smells soapy and cheap”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “cap broke easily”
- “leaks when traveling”
- “hard to squeeze out”
Purging phase Rarely Noted
- “broke me out at first”
- “caused initial purging period”
- “worsened acne before fixing it”
- “got tiny bumps after first use”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, dermstore.com, target.com, amazon.com, laroche-posay.us, and more
Questions and answers
Why is La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Cleanser a weak match for oily skin?
This cleanser is a weak match for oily skin because it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively manage oily shine and sufficiently address your primary concern. A cleanser for this skin needs ingredients like Niacinamide, Ceramides, Glycerin, or Salicylic acid to control excess oil and maintain moisture without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for oily skin?
This cleanser is a weak match for your oily skin because it lacks specialized ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or salicylic acid to effectively manage oily shine and control excess oil. A cleanser for this skin type needs ingredients that regulate oil and support skin health without causing irritation or leaving skin dry.
What does Water do for oily skin?
Water helps keep oily skin hydrated without adding grease or clogging pores. Keeping oily skin properly hydrated may also help balance oil production and reduce unwanted shine.
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.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step before your toner and moisturizer. Because this formula only offers moderate cleansing for oily skin and lacks specialized ingredients to fully manage oily shine, this skin type needs a cleanser with ingredients like zinc PCA and strong oil-controlling agents to better manage excess shine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, but because it is a weak match for oily skin, it lacks specialized ingredients to control excess oil and shine. To properly care for oily skin, a product of this type needs balancing ingredients like zinc PCA or clarifying agents to help regulate oil production.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. However, because it is a weak match for oily skin, a cleanser of this type for your skin needs specialized ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to effectively manage oily shine.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, but reviewers frequently complain about it leaving oily skin feeling dry and stripped. A cleanser for this skin needs balancing ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help control shine without over-drying.
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 sensitive skin around the eyes because cleansers can easily dry out that very thin area. This product type needs a very gentle, hydrating formula for the eye area.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Sodium 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, 2003
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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