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La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment vs Thayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment

Buy the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo if you want an all-over daily cream for oily and combination skin with clogged pores and post-acne marks. Buy the Thayers Rapid Spot Treatment if you want to dab a strong sulfur and glycolic acid product on individual pimples, including on your back or chest. The Thayers is rated 4.5 out of 5 from 480 ratings; no price was given for either product here, so check current store prices on Deal.ai before deciding.

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La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment

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Choose the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo if you want one lightweight matte cream to use across your whole face every day for oily skin, enlarged pores and dark marks.

Pros
  • Daily full-face cream, not just a spot product
  • Salicylic acid clears clogged pores; niacinamide fades marks
  • Matte finish suits oily and combination skin
  • Non-comedogenic and available in travel size
Cons
  • Face only, not for back or chest
  • No rating shown here
  • Not a fast fix for a single large pimple
Thayers
Thayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment with Niacinamide and 10% Sulfur

Thayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment

Thayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment with Niacinamide and 10% Sulfur

4.5(480 ratings)
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Choose the Thayers Rapid Spot Treatment if you want a targeted 10% sulfur spot treatment for single blemishes on the face, back or chest.

Pros
  • 10% sulfur is a strong, proven acne medication
  • Works on face, back, chest and body
  • Fragrance-free, paraben-free and gluten-free
  • Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 480 ratings
Cons
  • Spot use only, not a full-face routine
  • Sulfur and glycolic acid can dry or sting skin
  • Not for babies or kids

What separates them

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne TreatmentThayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment
Main active ingredientSalicylic acid plus niacinamide10% sulfur plus 2.5% glycolic acid
How you use itThin layer over the whole face, day useDab on individual spots only
Best forOily and combination skin, enlarged pores, hyperpigmentationAcne-prone skin with active blemishes
Body useFace onlyFace, arm, back, chest, full body
Finish and scentMatte creamUnscented, fragrance-free serum in a tube
Extra ingredientsNiacinamide for marks and poresLicorice root, gluten-free and paraben-free
Drying riskMilder, built for daily full-face useSulfur and glycolic acid can dry and irritate skin
RatingsNo rating given here4.5 out of 5 from 480 ratings

Price history

  • La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment: lowest $18.79 on Nov 1 at Amazon.
  • Thayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment: lowest $11.51 on Nov 1 at Walmart.

Prices at every store

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment

  • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
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Thayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment

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Specs compared

SpecLa Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne TreatmentThayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment
Face Treatment TypeDaySerum
Skin TypeFor Oily Skin, For Combination SkinOily, Acne Prone Skin
FormCreamCream
IngredientNiacinamide, Salicylic Acid—
Travel SizeYes—
FinishMatte—
Non-ComedogenicYes—
Skin ProblemHyperpigmentation, Enlarged Pores—
Body Part—Face, Arm, Back, Chest, Full Body
Active Ingredients—10% Sulfur Acne Medication
Key Ingredient—Licorice Root
Skin Concerns—Acne
Show all 27 specsShow fewer specs
SpecLa Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne TreatmentThayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment
Acne Treatment Type—Blemishes
Contains—Licorice Root, 2.5% Glycolic Acid
Free Of—Gluten-Free, Paraben-Free
Type—Treatment
Container Type—Tube
For Babies—No
For Kids—No
For Men—No
Effect—Exfoliating
Scent—

What reviewers say

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment

Owners of oily and combination skin generally rate it well for smoothing texture and fading marks over several weeks. Some find it drying or irritating when they start, and a few say it did little for deeper breakouts.

What people mention
  • FinishPraisedUsers like the matte, non-greasy finish on oily skin.
  • BreakoutsMixedMany see fewer blemishes over weeks, but some say deeper spots do not improve.
  • IrritationCriticisedSome report dryness, stinging or peeling when they first start using it.
  • Dark marksMixedPost-acne marks fade for some users but slowly, and others see little change.

Thayers Rapid Acne Spot Treatment

  • 4.5 / 5480 ratings

Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 480 ratings, buyers generally find it effective on individual blemishes and like that it is fragrance-free. Some mention dryness or the sulfur scent.

What people mention
  • EffectivenessPraisedBuyers say it shrinks individual pimples within a day or two.
  • DrynessCriticisedSome users report flaking or tightness when applied too often.
  • ScentMixedThe sulfur smell is noticeable but fades, according to reviewers.

Questions and answers

Which is better for blackheads and large pores?
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo. Its salicylic acid and niacinamide target clogged pores and enlarged pores across the whole face, while Thayers is a spot treatment for individual blemishes.
Which works faster on a single pimple?
The Thayers spot treatment. A 10% sulfur product dabbed directly on a blemish is designed for fast, targeted action, while Effaclar Duo is a daily cream that works over weeks.
Can I use both together?
Yes, with care. Use Effaclar Duo on the full face and dab Thayers on individual spots, but sulfur plus salicylic and glycolic acids can dry skin, so start slowly and use moisturizer.
Which is better for back and chest acne?
The Thayers Rapid Spot Treatment. It is labeled for face, arm, back, chest and full body; Effaclar Duo is a face product.
Is the Thayers worth it over the La Roche-Posay?
They do different jobs, so it is not an either-or. Thayers is the better pick for spot-treating blemishes; Effaclar Duo is the better pick for a daily full-face routine. Compare current prices on Deal.ai.
Which suits sensitive skin better?
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo is the gentler daily option. Thayers' 10% sulfur and 2.5% glycolic acid can sting or dry sensitive skin, so patch test first.

More comparisons

  • La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment vs Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
  • La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment vs Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment for Face with Maximum OTC Strength 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Medication – Reduces Severity & Size of Breakouts – 28g
Unscented, Fragrance-free
Size—Regular
Night / Day Use—Day
Tattoo Care—No
Application Method—Spot treatment, Spot-treating
Color—one-color
Fragrance-freePraised
Sensitive-skin users appreciate that no fragrance is added.