The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo FAQ
All this week at Escentual we’re shining a spotlight on a cult skincare hit: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, the perfect all-in-one treatment for those who suffer with imperfections. Loved by beauty editors, bloggers and skincare fans alike, it’s quickly risen to prominence this year as a bit of a wonder product.
So, you’ve heard the hype – but what does the formula do, exactly? In this post we myth-bust the popular treatment and tell you everything you need to know. Need a some recommendations or some further help? Leave a comment below!
Now, what is Effaclar Duo exactly?
It’s been simultaneously referred to as a spot treatment, a moisturiser and a pore refiner, but what exactly is this Effaclar Duo business everyone is talking about?
Well, La Roche-Posay states that it’s all of the above, and more. Effaclar Duo is a complete skincare solution that acts on blackheads and spots, the two main signs of imperfection-prone skin. It has a wonderfully refreshing and non-greasy gel-cream texture, and can be used both day and night the same way as you would a conventional moisturiser.
Who is Effaclar Duo for?
According to La Roche-Posay, 1 in every 3 teenagers visit a dermatologist for acne. It makes sense, then, that this product was originally developed to suit the needs of young people with imperfections – however, very many adults use Duo for treating their adult acne.
If you find that you skin regularly becomes clogged, or it is prone to blackheads and whiteheads, then this is the product for you no matter your age. It’s a wonderful single skincare solution for the many imperfections the skin can face throughout its life cycle.
What does Effaclar Duo do?
For starters, it makes skin look clearer and smoother. Imperfection-prone skin is often the result of dead cells clogging up the skin surface, which obstruct the pores and cause a build up of bacteria. This may appear as small bumps, whiteheads, spots or blackheads.
To combat this, Effaclar Duo combines four active ingredients: Niacinamide and Piroctone Olamine work together to purify the source of imperfections, whilst micro-exfoliating LHA and Linoleic Acid help to clear the skin of dead cells. An infusion of the famous La Roche-Posay Thermal Spa Water reduces redness and inflammation.
In that sense, using Effaclar Duo is a bit like cleaning a wound – you’re removing all of the bacteria, dead cells and oil, and healing the area with moisture and soothing ingredients. Over time your skin begins to look clearer and smoother, and skin is calmed.
How do I use Effaclar Duo?
Many people with oiliness or spots don’t use moisturiser. The logic is understandable – why put more oil onto already oily skin? The problem is oily skin is often also dehydrated, and you need to put the moisture back in to allow the skin to heal itself.
Effaclar Duo is special in that it’s so lightweight it doesn’t feel like you’re putting on a moisturiser. It’s completely oil-free, has a refreshing gel-cream texture, and contains no alcohol. Smooth all over the face after cleansing, avoiding the eye area as the active ingredients are a touch too potent for this area. La Roche-Posay recommends that you should use it both morning and evening to keep skin clear and smooth.
An added bonus: I find Effaclar Duo to be the most perfect make-up base. Lightly moisturising and mattifying, it gives your foundation something to cling to while keeping shine at bay.