Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash — Reddit Reviews
Updated October 21, 2026
Studies found 2% salicylic acid helps acne; Redditors report acne improvement, frequent stripping.
What the community says
A 2% salicylic acid gel cleanser for oily, acne-prone skin, with glycerin and zinc gluconate in the formula. Redditors report clearer breakouts, and studies found salicylic acid helps acne; sensitive or dry skin often finds daily use stripping.
What this means for you
What people love
- 2% salicylic acid cleanser; non-prescription acne active
- Redditors report breakouts getting under control
- Gel texture; familiar acne-wash format
Watch out for
- Stripping and tight-feeling for some users
- Menthol bothers sensitive skin and can leave tenderness
- Daily use irritates skin alongside tretinoin or other actives
Product details
Concerns
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
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: Bacne stays at bay for one user who says it was much worse a few years ago. 8 mentions
What the studies found
- Most studies found salicylic acid helped clear acne
- It often reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads
- It usually worked about as well as other common acne treatments
- Used with other acne treatments, it sometimes cleared acne better than those treatments alone
- Side effect results were very uncertain in one large review
Studied at 0.5–30%this product: 2%
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 39 mentions across 19 threads
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash on Reddit, in one place — 19 threads from r/AsianBeauty, r/koreanskincare and 5 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
“Las Roche Posay effaclar medicated gel cleanser”
Positive
“I use the same routine for both AM and PM.”
Positive
“-Las Roche Posay effaclar medicated gel cleanser”
Positive
“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
“La Roche-Posay 4% benzoyl peroxide wash”
Mentioned
“Is the 4% benzoyl peroxide wash overly drying, especially with tretinoin and azelaic acid?”
Mentioned
“Exfoliating after every tret night could be irritating as could benzoyl peroxide.”
Mentioned
“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
