The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Edit
Ask around for skincare recommendations for your blemish-prone and oily complexion, and chances are the response you’ll get will be resoundingly in favour of La Roche-Posay’s beloved Effaclar range.
Created especially for those with imperfections, from persistent adult acne all the way through to the odd hormonal spot, Effaclar presents a complete collection of solutions for skin that doesn’t like to play ball. Each product is created with a winning combination of technologically advanced ingredients and a pleasurable cosmetic texture, which sets the range apart from the medicated skincare of old. It’s an elegant solution for the millions of women and men around the world who suffer from acne all the way into their 20s, 30s and beyond. And boy, does it work.
So, you’d like to delve into the range… but where do you start? There is a core collection of Effaclar treatments and moisturisers that are specifically tailored to different aspects of imperfection-prone skin – have a think about your most prevalent concerns, and we’ll match you up to your perfect product below…
The All-Round Hero: Effaclar Duo <+>
What is it?
Effaclar Duo <+> is the cult skincare phenomenon that kicked off the beauty blogging world’s love of all things Effaclar. Crafted as an all-round treatment to combat inflammatory acne, excess oil and clogged pores, this is the ideal starting point if you have a lot of different concerns relating to your oily and blemish-prone skin. It even helps to fade the marks left behind by acne scarring, helping you to achieve a much clearer complexion. This one is your complete solution, especially if you’re just dipping your toe into the world of anti-blemish skincare.
How and when do I use it?
Treat Effaclar Duo <+> as you would a serum. Use it all over the face (avoiding the eye area) both day and night after cleansing. If you have other skin concerns, such as dehydration or a lot of excess oil, use an appropriate moisturiser on top.
The Texture Transformer: Effaclar K <+>
What is it?
If you’re more concerned about a bumpy skin texture and excess oiliness than blemishes, Effaclar K <+> is your go-to guy. This supercharged treatment is all about reclaiming clarity and smoothness. It battles against blackheads by tackling the oxidisation of sebum, whilst your skin is refined as it prevents hyperkeratinisation with a mild exfoliating action. This newly reformulated treatment also contains L’Oreal’s super ingredient Aircilium™, which absorbs up to 3 times its own weight in oil for superior mattifying care (up to 8 hours of it, in fact).
How and when do I use it?
Use Effaclar K <+> as you would a moisturiser, applying it both morning and evening taking care to avoid the eye area. The inclusion of silica in the formula makes it an excellent base for your makeup!
Top Tip: Effaclar K <+> is the perfect next step for those looking to maintain the results of their Effaclar Duo <+> treatment course.
The Mattifiers: Effaclar Mat and Effaclar BB Blur
What are they?
Effaclar Mat is an absolute must if excess oil is a persistent problem. The versatile formula offers long-lasting care that keeps skin looking and feeling matte, fresh and ultra smooth for hours, featuring star ingredients Sebuluse and Perlite to mop up that midday shine. New from La Roche-Posay is Effaclar BB Blur, which furthers oil absorption with the addition of NASA-approved Aircilium™, and transforms the evenness of your complexion with mineral pigments. See swatches of the available shades here.
How and when do I use them?
Both of these formulas act as the final step in your skincare routine, and can be used as the perfect complement to Effaclar Duo <+> to top up its oil-absorbing properties. Use in the morning to stay fresh all day long.
The Hydration Replenisher: Effaclar H
What is it?
Effaclar H is the specialist product of the range, created especially for those whose oily skin has been made fragile by stripping skincare products or harsh acne treatments like Roaccutane. Where other Effaclar treatments work to remove the excess (oil, impurities), Effaclar H aims to put goodness back in. Importantly for those whose skin is fragile but still prone to blemishes and oiliness, Effaclar H doesn’t overload skin with oily moisturising ingredients. Its primary aim is to soothe, retain moisture and rebuild the hydrolipidic film, which brings your skin into better balance.
How and when do I use it?
Use this creamy moisturiser both morning and evening after cleansing with the specialist Effaclar H Derma-Soothing Hydrating Cleansing Cream. If you’re using Roaccutane, don’t forget your lips as they’re likely to be really dry – Cicaplast Lips is a brilliant nourisher.
The Blemish Buster: Effaclar AI
What is it?
If you have the odd blemish this SOS treatment is the one for you. Rather than working on widespread and persistent break-outs, like Effaclar Duo <+> does, the targeted Effaclar AI corrector is all about those pesky individual spots that pop up. Utilising a good concentration of clarifying LHAs and soothing Niacinimide, it’ll reduce inflammation whilst providing a light exfoliation effect, ensuring that imperfections and their residual marks are visibly reduced. This is definitely one to keep in your bag!
How and when do I use it?
Massage a small amount onto affected areas both morning and evening until they reduce and fade away. As it’s a targeted treatment, Effaclar AI is the perfect complement to any skin type, and can be used alongside your existing skincare regime.