La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum is a serum with 26 ingredients. It is rated "use caution" in pregnancy because it contains Salicylic Acid, CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID. Common allergens: fragrance, alcohol denat., niacinamide.
Sensitive skin: fragrance, alcohol denat., niacinamide Why?
- fragrance: Fragrance or parfum, and scent ingredients listed by name, such as linalool and limonene. The most common cause of skincare allergies; worth avoiding if you have eczema, rosacea, or very sensitive skin.
- alcohol denat.: Denatured alcohol, which helps products feel light and dry fast but can dry out or sting dry and sensitive skin. Fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol are different and aren't flagged.
- niacinamide: A popular, well-tolerated ingredient that can cause redness or flushing for a few people, especially at high strengths.
These flags don't affect the pregnancy rating. They point out the ingredients most likely to make skincare sting, itch, or cause a rash. If your skin is sensitive, or one of them has bothered you before, you may want to skip the product or patch-test it first. Most people use them without a problem.
How we flag ingredientsWhat does it do?
A serum is a concentrated treatment used before moisturizer.
Based on its ingredients, it's made to:
Helps with pimples and clogged pores
Ingredients used to clear breakouts and keep pores from clogging.
From Salicylic Acid (no. 9), CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID (no. 16)
Exfoliates
Loosens dead skin cells so skin looks smoother and brighter. Use it a few times a week, not every day, if your skin is sensitive.
From Salicylic Acid (no. 9), GLYCOLIC ACID (no. 10), CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID (no. 16), Lactic Acid (no. 18)
Evens out skin tone
Used to fade dark spots and marks and even out skin tone over time.
From GLYCOLIC ACID (no. 10), Niacinamide (no. 13)
Hydrates
Draws water into the skin, so it feels plumper and less tight.
From Glycerin (no. 8)
Worked out from the ingredient list. Labels don't show amounts, so how well it works depends on the formula and your skin.
Is La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum safe to use during pregnancy?
Jouaxia rates La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum "Use caution" for pregnancy because it contains Salicylic Acid, CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID. Salicylic acid / BHA: ACOG says over-the-counter salicylic acid products may be used if needed, but absorption rises with frequent use or large areas; avoid high-strength peels (MotherToBaby/ACOG, Bozzo et al. 2011). This is general information, not medical advice. Check with your OB-GYN or dermatologist.
Does La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum contain fragrance or other common allergens?
Yes. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum contains fragrance, alcohol denat., niacinamide, which can bother sensitive skin. This doesn't affect its pregnancy rating, and most people use these ingredients without a problem; if your skin is sensitive or you've reacted to one before, patch-test it first or look for an alternative.
Is it OK for kids and teens?
Kids (ages 3–11)
Use with care
- Acne treatment (Salicylic Acid, CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID): Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and adapalene treat acne well, but for children under 12 it's best to check with a doctor first, and to start gently.
- Exfoliating acid (AHA) (GLYCOLIC ACID, Lactic Acid): Glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids can irritate young skin, and children rarely need them. We can't see the strength, so low amounts are flagged too.
- Fragrance or essential oils (PARFUM / FRAGRANCE): Children's skin reacts to fragrance and essential oils more easily; fragrance-free products are the usual advice for kids, especially with eczema or sensitive skin.
Teens (ages 12–17)
Use with care
- Exfoliating acid (AHA) (GLYCOLIC ACID, Lactic Acid): Glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids can irritate, especially alongside acne treatments. Fine for some teens, used a few times a week.
Helps with acne: Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID.
General guidance from the ingredient list, not medical advice. For babies under 3, or skin problems that don't get better, ask a doctor. How we rate for kids and teens · Skincare for teens
What are the ingredients in La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum?
26 ingredients. The ones we flag come first, with their place on the label. Select an ingredient to see what it does.
Salicylic Acid no. 9 on the label
Use caution in pregnancy: Salicylic acid / BHA. ACOG says over-the-counter salicylic acid products may be used if needed, but absorption rises with frequent use or large areas; avoid high-strength peels (MotherToBaby/ACOG, Bozzo et al. 2011).
CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID no. 16 on the label
Use caution in pregnancy: Salicylic acid / BHA. ACOG says over-the-counter salicylic acid products may be used if needed, but absorption rises with frequent use or large areas; avoid high-strength peels (MotherToBaby/ACOG, Bozzo et al. 2011).
Alcohol Denat no. 5 on the label
Sensitive skin: alcohol denat..
Niacinamide no. 13 on the label
Sensitive skin: niacinamide.
PARFUM / FRAGRANCE no. 19 on the label
Sensitive skin: fragrance.
21 other ingredients: nothing flaggedShow
- 1.Water
- 2.SODIUM HYDROXIDE
- 3.PEG-30 GLYCERYL COCOATE
- 4.POLYQUATERNIUM-10
- 6.DIMETHYL ISOSORBIDE
- 7.BIOSACCHARIDE GUM-1
- 8.Glycerin
- 10.GLYCOLIC ACID
- 11.Propanediol
- 12.PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
- 14.AQUA
- 15.CITRIC ACID
- 17.MALTODEXTRIN
- 18.Lactic Acid
- 20.PENTYLENE GLYCOL
- 21.HYDROXYETHYLPIPERAZINE ETHANE SULFONIC ACID
- 22.Hydroxyacetophenone
- 23.EAU
- 24.PHYTIC ACID
- 25.Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethanesulfonic Acid
- 26.Hydroxypropyl Guar Gum
Ingredient list from YesStyle. Formulas change, so check the packaging of the product you buy.