Head to Head

Effaclar Duo+M vs CeraVe: the oily-skin face-off

Two pharmacy heavyweights, different jobs — and why most routines should run both.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
Editor Score 8.8 8.6
Best For Oily, congested, breakout-prone skin Normal-to-oily skin; skincare beginners

The two pharmacy heavyweights for oil-prone skin solve different problems: CeraVe wins the cleansing step on price and gentleness; Effaclar wins treatment, with actives that actually move congestion. The correct answer for most men is not either — it is both, in sequence.