ZULA Team Tries: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Serum
Growing up, I assumed that acne was reserved for teenagers. Turns out, that was just wishful thinking on my part. Besides hormonal changes during puberty, acne can be caused by many other factors. Singapore’s humid weather, for one, clogs pores and leads to breakouts. Add masks into the mix, and the result is maskne, blemishes, plus uneven and bumpy skin. When they said adulting is hard, I didn’t think acne was going to be one of the challenges life throws at us.
Enter: The new Effaclar Serum from La Roche-Posay, designed for individuals with acne-prone skin. According to the brand, its latest offering is a tri-acid concentrate featuring salicylic acid, LHA and glycolic acid that “corrects pimples and comedonal acne, as well as reduces pigmentation marks, with visible efficacy from 7 days”. Apart from the peeling active ingredients, it also contains niacinamide, which helps to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.
Smooth, clear and even skin after a month? Sign me up. To truly put its claims to the test, I asked 4 other colleagues, each with different skin types and concerns, to join me in using La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Serum every day over 28 days. Read on to find out if the serum managed to target our skin woes, from comedonal acne (aka facial bumps), to pigmentation marks, textured skin and more.
1. Shash
Current skin condition and concerns
“I have combination skin that leans towards the drier side. My biggest skin concern is that I always get tiny bumps on my T-zone and cheeks, which I don’t know how to get rid of. I also have visible pores and blackheads on my nose.
Hopefully, using La Roche-Posay’s serum means I will have fewer small bumps and smoother skin. I would love it if my pores would become smaller too.”
Day 1: First impressions
“I really like the bottle as it is so cute. When I first applied the serum on my face, the solution immediately absorbed into my skin, which was great.”
Day 7: 1 week check-in
“After using the serum for a week and comparing my skin to how it looked on day 1, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the bumps on my cheeks had reduced and my skin was smoother in general.”
Day 28: Final thoughts
Before (left) vs after (right) with smoother and radiant skin
“My skin has been smooth and clear since day 7 and I’m very happy with the way it looks now. One problem I’ve always had with my skin is unevenness, when it comes to texture and colour. Using the serum helped even my skin out in both those aspects.
It also calmed down inflamed pimples and got rid of them. Plus, I haven’t had any breakouts since I started using the serum.
It was very convenient to incorporate the serum into my daily skincare routine, as I just had to apply it after washing my face before sleeping. It felt like a small self-care ritual for myself every day.”
2. Ariel
Current skin condition and concerns
“I have combination skin with an oily T-zone. I’m prone to getting pimples on my T-zone, especially during my period, as well as comedonal acne. Even after going for facials, blackheads still persist around my nose.
I’ve heard good things about La Roche-Posay’s acne products and sunscreen, but have never tried them before. I’m looking forward to the serum helping to reduce my comedonal acne and pimples, as well as getting rid of my acne scars.”
Day 1: First impressions
“I like the green colour of the bottle, and that it is not bulky. The product was gentle on my skin and I felt no discomfort while applying it, despite the formula containing several acids. It has a pleasant scent that almost reminds me of going to a spa.”
Day 7: 1 week check-in
“One of the marks on my chin seemed to be a bit lighter. My skin felt softer, especially right after putting on the serum. My new pimples also healed very quickly, and the redness around my nose and on my forehead has reduced as well.”
Day 28: Final thoughts
Before (left) vs after (right) with lesser pimples and scarring
“My skin looks more radiant now, which is also something people have been telling me. Most of my acne marks have disappeared, and I haven’t had a new pimple since day 7. While the bumps still come and go, as much of it depends on my diet, hormonal and sleep cycle, I’ve also been experiencing less comedonal acne in general.
Initially, I wasn’t sure if using La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Serum would make much of a difference, since I’ve used products with some of these ingredients before (like acids). After seeing the results, the serum exceeded my expectations. My skin looks better and it solved some of my comedonal acne issues. With continued use, I think it will benefit my skin even more.”
3. Nicole
Current skin condition and concerns
“As my skin is oily, I tend to get more pimples when the weather is humid. I also have a bad habit of picking and squeezing at my pimples, leaving my face with dark and reddish marks.
My goal by the end of this trial is to be able to get rid of the darker marks on my cheeks and have lesser bumps overall, especially near my jawline and chin.”
Day 1: First impressions
“My first thought was that this 30ml serum seems like it can be used for a long time, making it a value-for-money purchase. The dropper made the application process easy, convenient and sanitary. It also helped to ensure that I wouldn’t use too much of the product at once.
The product felt light and was easy to spread on my face. It absorbed easily into my skin too. However, I did feel a slight tingling sensation on my cheeks after applying it, though it wasn’t unbearable.”
Day 7: 1 week check-in
“While some of my darker, stubborn acne marks remained as they’ve been around for longer, my skin looked less reddish and felt less oily as well. My cheeks also appeared a bit brighter than before.”
Day 28: Final thoughts
Before (left) vs after (right) with lesser acne marks and bumps
“My skin has continued to improve since day 7, and most of my darker acne marks and scars have faded. The small bumps that I used to get along my jawline have reduced significantly as well.
I was very excited to use the serum every night as I’ve been wanting to improve my skincare routine. The trial process was enjoyable. Hopefully, my acne scars will fully disappear as I continue to use the serum.”
4. Jia Yi
Current skin condition and concerns
“I have combination skin, with a slightly oily T-zone and dry cheeks. I sometimes experience comedonal acne on my forehead and cheeks.
I’ve heard positive reviews about La Roche-Posay’s products from my friends, so I’m hoping that the serum can help to keep my skin clear from comedonal acne and random breakouts.”
Day 1: First impressions
“When applying the serum, it felt light and absorbed into my skin almost instantly. There was a slight tingling feeling when I applied it on my forehead, the area where I experience comedonal acne, but it went away quickly.”
Day 7: 1 week check-in
“My skin feels more moisturised and less irritated. While my skin has not cleared up yet and I’m still experiencing comedonal acne, I’m hoping to see better results in the coming weeks.”
Day 28: Final thoughts
Before (left) vs after (right) with brighter skin
“To be honest, I was quite skeptical about using the serum at first, as I have read reviews about other serums having varying results on different skin conditions. However, I was impressed after using La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Serum over a month, as it helped to control my comedonal acne and pimples.
Overall, I do see an improvement. My skin appears brighter, and the serum prevented new acne and pimples from forming.”
5. Annabelle
Current skin condition and concerns
“My skin is oily and I’m prone to pimples, usually on my forehead as well as my cheeks. With the arrival of maskne, pimples and blackheads have been popping up even more frequently. Once these pimples go away, they leave acne marks and dark spots on my skin that can remain for weeks or even months.
I’m looking forward to using the Effaclar Serum from La Roche-Posay over the next month, and seeing if it will indeed give me smooth, clear and even skin.”
Day 1: First impressions
“There was a slight clinical scent when I applied the serum on my face. But true to what is stated on the product packaging, the fragrance disappeared almost immediately. The same goes for the liquid itself, which was also swiftly absorbed into my skin.”
Day 7: 1 week check-in
“The small red marks on the left side of my face became more faint. I also noticed that I had less bumps on my forehead than usual.”
Day 28: Final thoughts
Before (left) vs after (right) with reduced redness
“Previously, it would take a few weeks or more for my acne scars and spots to diminish in redness and size. But once I started using the serum, I could see that the process was accelerated, with the redness disappearing much faster. I also experienced less comedonal acne, with the bumps on my forehead only appearing during the week of my period.
Lastly, I like the fact that it shaved some time off my night-time skincare routine. Compared to other serums with thicker formulas, I didn’t have to sit around waiting for it to absorb into my skin.”
We Tried The New Effaclar Serum From La Roche-Posay To Get Smooth, Radiant & Even Skin
Adulting is hard enough in and of itself, without having to worry about comedonal acne, pimples, marks and scars. As the 5 reviewers’ trials proved, La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Serum was effective in addressing a range of skin types and concerns.
Whether you’re a skincare junkie or not, you’ll be able to appreciate the powerful yet gentle combination of active ingredients in its formula. Think of each ingredient as a superhero, with them assembling like the Avengers to work magic on your skin.
LHA works to exfoliate the skin surface and remove dead cells. Salicylic acid goes deeper into the skin to unclog pores and prevent sebum build-up. Glycolic acid, on the other hand, encourages skin renewal to boost radiance and clarity.
Then there’s niacinamide, aka vitamin B3, which reduces pore size and brightens dark spots while soothing skin inflammation. Last but not least, La Roche-Posay thermal water calms the skin and lessens any discomfort.
If you’re looking to level up your night-time routine with a simple step, there’s no easier way to start than with this serum. Simply use the dropper to dispense the serum onto your hand and apply it on cleansed skin, and you’ll be on your way to smooth, clear and even skin.
Don’t miss the chance to try it out for yourself, as La Roche-Posay is having a promotion of up to 25% off the new Effaclar Serum. It is now available nationwide at all Guardian and Watsons stores offline and online, with a retail price at $54.90 for 30ml. Jio your besties along, so you can all experience a glow-up together.
Sign up for your free Effaclar Serum samples here!
This post was brought to you by La Roche-Posay.
Photography by Natalie Ng.
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