Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash — Reddit Reviews
Updated September 9, 2026
2% salicylic acid cleanser clears acne but can cause irritation and dryness.
What the community says
A gel cleanser with 2% salicylic acid that targets acne and texture. Redditors find it effective but often irritating or stripping, especially when used twice daily with other actives. Not ideal for very dry or sensitive skin due to potential redness and barrier issues.
What this means for you
What people love
- 2% salicylic acid effectively clears acne and unclogs pores
- Gel texture preferred by those who want a deep clean
- Works well with tretinoin users when not overused
Watch out for
- Daily use can overly strip and irritate skin
- May worsen redness and damage barrier, especially on dry skin
- Too harsh when layered with benzoyl peroxide or daily actives
Product details
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
What the science says
Salicylic Acid
Strong evidence for acne- It usually helped clear acne, though results were sometimes mixed and a few studies only showed it matched other treatments
- 30 studies back this, including large reviews
- It often worked about as well as tretinoin, adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, mandelic acid, Jessner's solution, and some light treatments
- Some studies found it worked better when used with other treatments than when those treatments were used alone
- Side effects were usually milder than with some comparison treatments, with less dryness and fewer side effects overall
Studied at 0.5–30%this product: 2%
See 32 studiesWhat Reddit says
The why
Gel cleanser with 2% salicylic acid targets deep pore clearing for oily or breakout-prone skin.
“I use the la roche posay peroxide wash and it works great.”
7 mentions for acne
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 32 mentions across 14 threads
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash on Reddit, in one place — 14 threads from r/AsianBeauty, r/tretinoin and 4 more, summarized.
“Non AB La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Cleanser - This irritated my skin & cause some barrier damage”
Cautionary
“contains menthol? Some form of mint which my skin is very sensitive to”
Cautionary
“it still makes my skin feel a little tender to touch”
Cautionary
“I wash my face with La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser (the 2% salicylic acid one)”
Cautionary
“I hate that LRP cleanser though and do think you should switch it out. It seems to cause issues with a lot of people”
Cautionary
“Also, just noticed you’re using that salicylic cleanser in the AM and PM. Probably too much while acclimating to azelaic acid and tretinoin.”
Cautionary
“PM: Same as am, but LRP Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser instead of Happy Cappy and no sunscreen.”
Positive
“mine went from really bad to completely cleared up on this regimin”
Positive
“Wait that’s so funny I have the HC wash both the medicated and reg which ones do you use?”
Positive
“I use the dr.Athena 345 cream, la roche posay effaclar wash, and the aestra atobarrier cream...”
Positive
“...in addition to the la roche posay cicaplast on rest days and in the morning.”
Positive
“Is there something I could incorporate/remove from my routine to prevent the constant breakouts”
Positive
“my La Roche-Posay salicylic acid cleanser feels too stripping now”
Cautionary
“La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser (salicylic acid)”
Cautionary
“a gentler second cleanser”
Cautionary
“La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser, 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
Positive
“here's my current routine”
Positive
“[AM] - La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser, 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
Positive
