Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum — Reddit Reviews
Updated November 10, 2026
Studies support salicylic acid for acne; Redditors report clearer pores, with irritation.
What the community says
This leave-on 1.5% salicylic acid serum also contains glycolic acid, targeting breakouts, blackheads, and rough texture. Studies found these acids can help acne, and Redditors report clearer skin; alcohol denat and fragrance make stinging and dryness real concerns.
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 leave-on treatment for acne and clogged pores
- Redditors report consistently clearer skin
- Glycolic acid adds surface-level exfoliation for texture
Watch out for
Product details
Concerns
Use caution
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says
Salicylic acid has some evidence for clearing acne, as most studies found it reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads 1. It often worked about as well as other common acne treatments, though its side effects compared with benzoyl peroxide were uncertain, so that evidence is thin 1.
- Salicylic Acid for acne Some evidence · 34 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
How we grade researchFull ingredient list · 21
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum ingredients
Salicylic Acid, Water, Alcohol Denat, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Citric Acid, PEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Maltodextrin, Phytic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Fragrance
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
Real Reddit threads — 21 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
“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
“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 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
