Anyone with oily and acne-prone skin knows: excessive shine, blackheads and pimples can be quite boring, right? Therefore, this type of skin needs attention. And care goes far beyond simply washing your face with any soap. It is necessary to have a routine of steps that involves from cleaning to hydration with specific products.
But then: how do you know which are the best products? This type of skin is most often very sensitive, so research is needed to choose the right product. Another very important point before buying is to talk to dermatologists.
As Brazil is a tropical country and thus has a huge population of people with oily and acne-prone skin, it is not difficult to find soap alternatives on the shelves. I always suffer to choose and, amid so many options, I decided to try 4 soaps and cleaning gels! Shall we meet them?
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Concentrated Facial Cleansing Gel
- Good for: those who want to invest a little more in a good deep cleaning product;
- Packages of: 60g, 150g and 300g;
- Average price: R $ 65.70 (300g), R $ 53.00 (150g) and R $ 33.35 (60g) *.
The Cleansing Gel Effaclar concentrate , from La Roche-Posay, is a great alternative for those people who suffer greatly from the oiliness throughout the day. Depending on the soap I use in the morning, my skin becomes very oily after a few hours, especially if I have makeup on.
After a month of using this gel from La Roche, I felt that the shiny aspect decreased a lot, besides having noticed an improvement in acne (along with the treatment prescribed by my dermatologist).
The composition of the product has super legal assets for those who suffer from pimples. Salicylic acid and Zinc gluconate are two of them that, together, have seborregulatory power. It even has La Roche thermal water, which I thought was great, because I love thermal water.
The only problem with it is that, because it is concentrated, if used in excess it can give the dreaded rebound effect, that is, it can cause even more oiliness and acne. I wash my face with it only twice a day: in the morning and at night. I don’t recommend more than that!
Strengths
- It has several active and beneficial components for the skin;
- Although the value is higher, it is worth buying a larger package, as it lasts a long time. Too little product is enough for the entire face;
- Of the products tested, it was the one that worked best in my fight against acne;
- Does not contain alcohol, dyes and parabens;
- It doesn’t smell.
Negative points
- The value is a little higher;
- Because it is concentrated, it leaves the skin “tightening” right after use. It is impossible to use this product and not use a moisturizer together, see?
Darrow Actine Acne Skin Soap
- Good for: cleaning acne skin with a softer product;
- Packages of: 60mL, 140mL and 400mL;
- Average price: R $ 28.90 (60mL), R $ 39.90 (140mL), R $ 69.90 (400mL) *.
The Actine Soap , the Darrow, was the first alternative cleaning I used when I started straight take care of my skin. It has helped me for a long time and it is certainly a good product for acne sufferers.
It does not clean as deeply as Effaclar, but even so, it helps to minimize the symptoms of acne and still soothes the skin after use. The product leaves a very refreshing and delicious feeling on the face!
In addition to the traditional salicylic acid, it also contains aloe vera extract, which moisturizes and helps in the treatment of acne. It is good to remember that Actine soap has two versions: the one for acneic skin (with orange packaging) and the one for oily skin (with yellow packaging).
If you suffer from blackheads and pimples, the best alternative is to buy the acne skin version, as the oily skin version is softer and may not meet expectations.
Strengths
- It has a more affordable value than Effaclar;
- It is softer in cleaning, however, it remains efficient;
- It has moisturizing actives in the composition, in addition to the sebum-regulators;
- It doesn’t smell.
Negative points
- I couldn’t find any negative points about the product! It just doesn’t have as deep cleansing as Effaclar.
Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel
- Good for: cleaning acne skin and controlling oiliness;
- Packages: 60g, 150g and 400mL;
- Average price: R $ 32.80 (60g), R $ 46.35 (150g), R $ 70.00 (400mL) *.
The Normaderm Cleansing Gel , from Vichy, is a very good product, it only has one detail in it that bothered me from the first moment. The brand claims that it is hypoallergenic and, in fact, never gave me any problems. However, it has a very strong fragrance.
For me, skin care products, especially sensitive skin, should not smell. That’s because fragrances often irritate and cause allergies. Apart from that factor, I really liked it.
It also performs a thorough cleaning, but not as deep as Effaclar. Still, I felt a great difference in my skin after a month of use, mainly because, when I started using it, I was in a more critical phase of acne.
Like Effaclar, it also has thermal water in its composition, which is very positive. It has glycolic acid, salicylic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid which, combined, help to fight acne.
Strengths
- It has thermal water;
- It is hypoallergenic;
- Removes dead cells;
- It does not leave the skin pulling;
- It has beneficial assets for acne-prone skin.
Negative points
- Very strong smell;
- Higher price.
Protex Anti-Blackheads & Pimples Facial Soap
- Good for: cleaning acne skin and controlling oiliness;
- Packages: 60g, 150g and 400mL;
- Average price: R $ 32.80 (60g), R $ 46.35 (150g), R $ 70.00 (400mL) *.
The Normaderm Cleansing Gel , from Vichy, is a very good product, it only has one detail in it that bothered me from the first moment. The brand claims that it is hypoallergenic and, in fact, never gave me any problems. However, it has a very strong fragrance.
For me, skin care products, especially sensitive skin, should not smell. That’s because fragrances often irritate and cause allergies. Apart from that factor, I really liked it.
It also performs a thorough cleaning, but not as deep as Effaclar. Still, I felt a great difference in my skin after a month of use, mainly because, when I started using it, I was in a more critical phase of acne.
Like Effaclar, it also has thermal water in its composition, which is very positive. It has glycolic acid, salicylic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid which, combined, help to fight acne.
Strengths
- It has thermal water;
- It is hypoallergenic;
- Removes dead cells;
- It does not leave the skin pulling;
- It has beneficial assets for acne-prone skin.
Negative points
- Very strong smell;
- Higher price.
- Good for: cleaning acne skin and controlling oiliness;
- Packages: 60g, 150g and 400mL;
- Average price: R $ 32.80 (60g), R $ 46.35 (150g), R $ 70.00 (400mL) *.
The Normaderm Cleansing Gel , from Vichy, is a very good product, it only has one detail in it that bothered me from the first moment. The brand claims that it is hypoallergenic and, in fact, never gave me any problems. However, it has a very strong fragrance.
For me, skin care products, especially sensitive skin, should not smell. That’s because fragrances often irritate and cause allergies. Apart from that factor, I really liked it.
It also performs a thorough cleaning, but not as deep as Effaclar. Still, I felt a great difference in my skin after a month of use, mainly because, when I started using it, I was in a more critical phase of acne.
Like Effaclar, it also has thermal water in its composition, which is very positive. It has glycolic acid, salicylic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid which, combined, help to fight acne.
Strengths
- It has thermal water;
- It is hypoallergenic;
- Removes dead cells;
- It does not leave the skin pulling;
- It has beneficial assets for acne-prone skin.
Negative points
- Very strong smell;
- Higher price.
Protex Anti-Blackheads & Pimples Facial Soap
- Good for: those looking for an alternative soap and want to spend little;
- Packages of: 150mL (liquid) and 85g (bar);
- Average price: R $ 22.50 (150mL) and R $ 6.70 (85g) *.
The facial soap of Protex for acne prone skin is the “cousin cheapie” the other options I mentioned in this list. It is not as efficient as the more expensive alternatives, however, due to the value and what it offers, I think it is very cost-effective.
It has a strong smell that bothers a little, the same situation that occurs with Normaderm. The main proposal of the product is the exclusive ReduCNE technology, which protects the face from acne-causing bacteria. In addition, it is non-comedogenic, that is, it does not clog the pores.
I used this soap for about a month and, even though the results were not as noticeable as those of the other options on the list, I had no worsening of acne and did not even notice the appearance of new pimples and blackheads.
So, if you are a little tighter (a) financially, but still want to take care of the skin, this soap can help you!
Strengths
- Great cost-benefit;
- It has beneficial assets and an exclusive technology for acneic skin;
- It does not clog the pores.
Negative points
- Very strong fragrance;
- It doesn’t have that many size options;
- It did not have a very significant result in reducing acne.
After testing these 4 options, I confess that my favorite is Effaclar, by La Roche. All are very good, but he was the one I liked the most! It is important to remember: talk to a dermatologist before making a decision. After all, what’s good for me may not be good for you, right
