Today I have a skincare product I have been using for the past month/2 months. It is the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo. I had pretty high hopes for this product from all the rave reviews around the beauty blogosphere - claiming it works miracles! Keep reading to see if it lived up to my expectations!
Right off the bat I just want to mention that there are two versions of this product, the one sold in Europe and here in Australia are able to be used all over the face as a moisturiser and the one sold in America is more of a spot treatment with higher levels of benzoyl peroxide. Just check which version you have before using it willy nilly! I have the European version.
It is marketed towards skin with severe imperfections and claims to reduce the appearance of imperfections and unclog sebum-blocked pores. It contains Niacinamide and Piroctone Olamine to help purify the skin and protect against breakouts developing. It also contains LHA/Linoleic Acid to help unclog pores by eliminating dead cells clogging the pores. These ingredients are combined with thermal spring water to soothe the skin.
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During my first month of use, I used the product twice daily (morning and evening). I've since switched to using it only at night as I noticed such good results from using it twice daily. It did break me out a little bit in the first few days, but they cleared up quite quickly. I'm not sure if my skin was adjusting to it or if it was one of those 'it has to get worse before it gets better' situations. Regardless, it wasn't a major downer for me. It claims to be a mattifying and moisturising creme-gel. I would say that's a pretty good description. I don't find the moisture is adequate for night, so I use a heavier moisturiser over the top. For day wear it serves as a great base for make up.
On to the results it gave my skin; overall I am pretty happy with the product and do feel that it lives up to its claims. Throughout the testing period I did have quite a bit of stress due to exams and assignments, late nights, and junk food binges (as well as hormonal breakouts) which left my skin looking a bit worse for wear. I feel this only really helps with breakouts caused by bacteria (I mean, can hormonal/stress related pimples really be prevented?). I found it helps clear up acne faster and overall gives the skin a clearer look and texture. It helped clear up some of the small bumps around my forehead and nose area which have been there for a long time, and nothing else seemed to work! I don't find, however, that it helps with acne scarring or in my case preventing the spot leaving a scar. I have noticed less breakouts since using it and there was a time (right before exams) where I was very happy with the state of my skin, and I believe it can all be attributed to this product. I will of course keep using it but I do feel this produces really beneficial results and will be good in the long term.
Overall, this has definitely become a staple in my skincare routine, and one that I will continue to use and repurchase for a long time. It's not hugely expensive at AUD$25.95 for 40mL of product at Terry White Chemists. You can find your nearest La Roche-Posay stockist here. I think it's worth every cent and hopefully with continued use I will be on the road to clearer skin!
Have you tried the Effaclar Duo? Did it work wonders for you?
I've heard some good things about this product, and I think I'm actually going to go test it out! I'm just unclear about something, do you use this as a spot treatment or do you personally use it in place of your moisturiser?
ReplyDeleteAs I have the European version it's gentle enough to be used all over which is how I use it - almost like a serum before my heavier night cream. The American one is designed to be a spot treatment so check which version you buy - if you get it from Terry White it should be the European one.
DeleteOoh it sounds good!
ReplyDeleteI've been stressing and breaking out too :(
It is pretty good and I recommend giving it a go!
DeleteI heard good reviews about this product. :) I know how it feels when you're stress due to exams and assignments, late nights and junk foods! >.< Honestly, I can't avoid those junk foods! Haha. :D
ReplyDeleteThe temptation is too much haha! Whenever I have a sugar binge I dread the arrival of those damn pimples!
DeleteI think I need this lol! But I have combination skin; I heard this is suited for those with oily skin? Correct me if I'm wrong!
ReplyDeleteIt is suited for oily skin but I feel most skin types could use it, but really it's only effective on acne-prone skin. It's mattifying but you can apply a heavier moisturiser over the top as I do, I have combo skin also.
DeleteI'm about to post about this! Great product- I thought I could do without it but it's nearing HG status.
ReplyDeleteI can spare you some of my Origins Drink Up if you want! The tube is massive and I'm still working through the sample heehee. I'll send it along when you see Daphne.
Yerp it's very near to HG status for me too! I hope the results continue on this good trend!
DeleteAw, thanks, I already have a sample which I've been rationing 'like a bag of crack' to quote Essiebutton haha. Such a sweetie :)
I bought this but I don't really get it ... I used it underneath my moisturiser kind of as a serum but then gave up on that because I didn't really see the point. I sometimes use this as a spot treatment for blemishes and it works okay in that regard. I just don't know how to use it and I don't use it consistently to see any benefits :p But I'm glad that you had a positive experience and hopefully that will continue the more you use it :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I have pretty acne prone skin so if you don't have or get many blemishes it wouldn't really make a difference. Maybe use it only in the areas more prone to spots, so it prevents them and helps get rid of them?
DeleteI have the same product and I love it,it's very good for the skin.;)
ReplyDeleteI like your blog. Maybe follow each other on bloglovin?
Let me know follow you then back.
Lovely greets Nessa