La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Soothing Cleansing Cream for oily skin
Niacinamide
Glycerin
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
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 coco-betaine help remove impurities, while niacinamide and bixa orellana seed extract provide seboregulation.
- The formula offers general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, which are supportive but not directly targeted at your oily shine concerns.
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
★3.9Overall rating based on 900+ reviewsUsers with oily, acne-prone skin undergoing drying treatments find this cleanser hydrating and non-stripping, effectively cleansing without causing tightness. Many appreciate its soothing properties for sensitive and reactive skin. Some long-time users note that a recent reformulation is more drying and has a stronger fragrance than the original version.
Highlights
Hydrating and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “leaves my skin feeling clean but not dry”
- “doesn't make my skin feel tight after washing”
- “instantly hydrated smooth and soft to touch”
Effective cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “washed off any dirt and makeup”
- “cleanses my skin very well without stripping”
- “takes off makeup easily even waterproof eyeliner”
Soothing for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “soothes skin feeling weakened by acne treatments”
- “great for reactive complexions sensitive to breakouts”
- “literally saved my face from being extremely tight”
Reformulation issues Sometimes Noted
- “reformulated version to be more drying”
- “wish I'd known this one existed [compared to old one]”
- “ruined my skin barrier and got breakouts”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “heavily fragranced compared to the original”
- “scent is too strong for sensitive skin”
- “irritating due to the perfume”
Packaging problems Rarely Noted
- “does not come with a dispenser as depicted”
- “where is the pump dispenser”
- “hard to get product out near the end”
Sources: lovi.care, cocooncenter.co.uk, lookfantastic.com, laroche-posay.co.uk, boots.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome Soothing Cleansing Cream work for oily skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for oily skin by washing away impurities and helping balance oil, though other products fit this skin type better. To provide an ideal fit for oily skin, a cleanser needs ingredients like salicylic acid and ceramides to manage shine and support skin health without causing irritation.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2022
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Niacinamide and bixa orellana seed extract make this cleanser a fit for your oily skin by helping control excess shine. To get a better fit for this skin type, a cleanser needs ingredients like ceramides, salicylic acid, or probiotics that manage oil and target breakouts without causing irritation.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2022
What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021
What does Glycerin do for oily skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser fits in both your morning and evening routine, washing away impurities while keeping your skin calm and hydrated. Because your skin is oily, an ideal product of this type also needs stronger oil-control ingredients and targeted shine-reducing benefits.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first to remove impurities and calm your skin before your retinol step. Using a gentle cleanser alongside treatments like retinol is generally well tolerated, though an oily skin type works best with cleansers that feature stronger oil-control ingredients.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. This helps wash away impurities while providing helpful hydration and soothing benefits for your skin.
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 provides moderate cleansing that washes away impurities without heavy oils. However, because it is only an average fit for oily skin, a cleanser for this skin type needs ingredients that balance oil and keep pores clear, such as salicylic acid.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, though it is formulated for facial use, and cleansers of this type are generally safe for the thin skin around the eyes if used carefully. It offers moderate cleansing and general hydration and soothing benefits, but oily skin often needs a cleanser that focuses more directly on controlling oil and shine.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Squamometry successfully detected subclinical skin surface alterations and discriminated between the irritating effects of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate on human skin using an open assay model.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2001A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017A dermocosmetic formulation containing Vichy volcanic mineralizing water, Vitreoscilla filiformis extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E accelerated skin renewal, improved antioxidant defenses, enhanced skin barrier recovery after acute stress, and improved microbiome recovery compared to untreated skin.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2022Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025The combination of Vitreoscilla filiformis extract and Vichy volcanic mineralizing water strengthens the skin barrier by stimulating skin differentiation and tight junctions, enhances biochemical defenses via antimicrobial peptides, and supports cellular immune defenses by increasing the IL-10/IL-12 ratio and protecting Langerhans cells from ultraviolet radiation compared to controls.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2022Topical bixin application suppresses acute UV-induced photodamage and PUVA-induced hair graying in Nrf2+/+ mice compared to Nrf2-/- mice via NRF2 activation.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Coco-Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Niacinamide, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Shea Butter, Cocamide Mea, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Mannose, Disodium Edta, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Maltodextrin, Polyquaternium-11, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
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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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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