Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum — Reddit Reviews
Updated September 25, 2026
1.5% salicylic acid plus glycolic acid for clogged pores; stings some faces.
What the community says
A leave-on acne serum with 1.5% salicylic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide, and fragrance. Redditors use it for blackheads, clogged pores, and surface texture; studies back the acne angle, but dry, stingy skin gets punished.
What this means for you
Backed by 6 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction and 1 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
- 1.5% salicylic acid for blackheads and clogged pores
- Glycolic acid adds extra surface exfoliation
- Leave-on format fits spot-treating little bumps
Watch out for
Product details
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Acne
Some evidence
Salicylic Acid: 16 studies tested it on its own. See all 34 studies
On Reddit: Spot treatment power targets small bumps on face and body, improving texture and clearing pores over time. 9 mentions
Both ingredients for acne
Salicylic Acid Some evidence
- Most studies found salicylic acid helped acne
- It often improved pimples, blackheads and whiteheads
- It usually worked about as well as other common acne treatments
- Some studies found it helped more when used together with other acne treatments
- Side effects were unclear in the findings provided
Glycolic Acid Some evidence
13 studies tested it on its own. See all 22 studies
- Most studies found glycolic acid helped acne
- It often reduced pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes skin redness
- Some studies found it cleared acne better than a placebo
- It often worked about as well as other acne treatments or peels
- The most common side effects were early irritation and peeling
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Glycolic Acid: 15 studies tested it on its own. See all 26 studies
What the studies found
- Most studies found glycolic acid helped fade dark patches
- It often worked better when used with other treatments than those treatments alone
- On its own, it also faded dark patches in some studies
- It often worked about as well as some other peels or retinol, but not better than all options
- The most common side effects were redness, irritation, and peeling
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 20 mentions across 6 threads
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum on Reddit, in one place — 6 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction and 1 more, summarized.
“My friend recommend La Roche-Posay Effaclar serum and, so far, it’s been a game changer.”
Positive
“I’ve been using it on my face for a couple of months now and my skin hasn’t been this consistently clear since taking the birth control.”
Positive
“I’ve started applying it to my chest and arms and they’re looking great now too.”
Positive
“The salicylic acid I use is from La Roche Posay (the effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment serum).”
Mentioned
“the particular serum I just mentioned is not only salicylic acid but also glycolic acid.”
Mentioned
“This combo by itself can be good for surface level discoloration as well as active acne but not actual, ‘3D’ acne scars.”
Mentioned
“PM: hadalabo lotion, la roche posay effaclar serum or tret 0.05% (2x a week), purito moisturiser”
Positive
“Current routine:”
Positive
“Type: oily-combo skin, acne-prone”
Positive
“I went and I bought the La Roche Posay Effaclar serum.”
Cautionary
“So far I’ve used it twice in three days and it STINGS everytime.”
Cautionary
“This stinging sounds like your skin is adjusting to the active ingredient. Try using it just once a week to start”
Cautionary
“i bought the Effaclar serum to try and fight that a bit (I use it 2x a week)”
Positive
“I have a bit of black heads on my nose and around it with visible pores so i bought the Effaclar serum”
Positive
“but not when i use Effaclar”
Positive
“Additionally: La Roche-Posay Effaclar 1.5% Salicylic Acid Serum AND La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid”
Positive
“Serum - I got these because I saw someone saying it reduced their pore size in 2 months.”
Positive
“But nothing seems to be working for my pores specifically.”
Positive
