Friday 28 February 2014

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+] Before & After - My Acne Success Story


At last, a chance to review my favourite product OF ALL TIME. See the results for yourself down below!
La Roche-Posay was a brand I hadn't really heard of until the end of last year, when every blogger seemed to be singing their praises, with the main star of the show being Effaclar Duo. I tried this product, and was fascinated by what a huge effect it had on my skin.
Then they made it even better. 
Meet Effaclar Duo[+], now designed to also fight marks.

I've been putting off writing this post for a while, as my skin has been improving so so much, I thought I'd wait and see just how good it could get.

How I use it
I apply this product every morning and evening, over my whole face, straight after cleansing. I then wait at least 10-20 mins before applying anything else on top. I've also been using Effaclar AI on individual breakouts, but haven't had to use it in about a month, because the breakouts simply haven't been there --- amazing, and unheard of!! I used the original Effaclar Duo formula for roughly 2-4 months before trying the [+] version.

Now for the pictures that prove it all.

BEFORE 
I honestly can't believe I am putting these pictures online. After months and months of desperately trying to hide this, I'm now putting these out there for the world to see! Whilst I did suffer with these breakouts over my whole face, the chin area was definitely the worst. The rest of my face cleared up quite quickly, but my chin took a little bit longer. They were so bad, some nights I found it difficult to sleep from the pain they caused. 

AFTER 
Roughly 4-5 months of daily use, although results were still seen quite early on. (Excuse the chapped lips!) These photos were taken this morning as soon as I woke up.





Honestly, I couldn't believe it. Every day when I woke up, my skin would just be better and better. Is it weird to say that it's kinda changed my life?! I still have a couple of very faint marks left behind, but that can be expected. They're fading more and more everyday thanks to the new anti-mark formula and daily SPF application, so I have no doubt that soon enough my skin will be completely clear. (Fingers crossed!)

I've actually cancelled my first dermatologist appointment, because I no longer need any help with my skin. And to think I was considering Accutane.... ha!

If you are suffering from breakouts like myself, seriously try this product out. It's available at most Boots stores, or online here! The pictures speak for themselves - this stuff really does work. La Roche-Posay, I simply cannot thank you enough! 

Thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear what you think down below! :) If you have any questions at all - send me a tweet @amyalaska! 
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I was lucky enough to win myself a tube of Effaclar Duo [+] in amodelrecommends giveaway, but had already purchased a tube before the winners were announced. I also have 2 tubes of the old formula on the go, all bought with my own money. 

44 comments:

  1. It worked really well on you! I'm so pissed that it doesn't really work on my skin!

    xx
    Georgina
    http://georginaedith.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. What a shame! It's strange how different skin reacts to it. I'm so thankful it worked for me - have you tried anything else in the range? x

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    2. I'm trying the Effaclar AI at the moment. I'm hoping it's just the Effaclar Duo that doesn't work on me but I may give it another go!

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    3. AI is lovely, I'm halfway through writing a post about it! :) I hope Duo does work on you eventually! x

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  2. A great post, I love the honesty and bravery. Having spots sucks and like you I would do anything not to have them glad yours have cleared up Lucy

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    Replies
    1. I really did have to think twice about sharing it!
      Thank you Lucy :) x

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  3. What an improvement that has been :) I'm so glad it has worked for you, it's also worked for me and I haven't had any spots since it's remarkable!

    Amy x | A Little Boat Sailing

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    Replies
    1. That's so good to hear, I'm so impressed by this product! :) x

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  4. Wow - your results have been simply amazing! I absolutely love the Effaclar Duo and it has helped clear up my skin so much too, definitely a holy grail. Hopefully I can try out the + version soon as scarring is now what I have the most issues with.

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    Replies
    1. I noticed that my scars faded dramatically within the first week of trying out the new formula, it's been a godsend! x

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  5. Wow this is such an incredible difference! x

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! :) I know, I can hardly believe it was so bad before! x

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  6. Your skin is flawless Amy! I am so pleased you found something that works :)

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  7. Wow! I actually went out and bought this product the other day as part of a 3 for 2 offer! Im so glad i've brought it now after seeing your results! This is the motivation I need to carry on using it every day! Your skin looks so great!

    http://sophiebright.blogspot.co.uk

    Sophie x

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    Replies
    1. Well you certainly won't regret it, I hope it helps you too, it's honestly the best thing I've ever bought! :)
      Thank you Sophie! :) x

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  8. I've never tried any of the LaRoche products before, but I have a colleague who swears by them! :D
    My skin is ok-ish right now but I should definitely look into buying something from their range! :)
    www.amiciarai.com

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    Replies
    1. I'm tempted to try more of their products myself now, I hope you get on well with them! :) x

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  9. this is amazing! Thank you for showing the before and after pics too- very brave of you and wow i can't believe the difference. I am so happy ED worked for you :) Becki from www.lifelooksperfect.com xx

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    1. Thank you, it's been a complete miracle! :) x

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  10. thank you so much for sharing this! it must be a miracle product. im really bothered by spots too, especially on the chin and forehead area and this might be the perfect fit! however am seeing on my doctor but i probably will end up getting this instead as ive been before and the stuff i was given didnt help.
    Lauren | OhHay Blogs!
    xxx

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    Replies
    1. Ah yes, I tried so many different things from the doctor, nothing worked as well as this - and the best thing? No side effects either! :) x

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  11. I was just browsing and came upon your blog - had to follow! Lovely blog with interesting posts:) Best Wishes x

    http://benishkhan.blogspot.com/

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  12. Wow, your skin looks beautiful! I've suffered from acne on and off for years, and while my pill keeps the worst of it at bay, I still have a few stubborn pimples around my jawline. I tried Effaclar Duo aaaages ago but I remember losing the tube so I never found out if it worked on my skin or not ... I'll have to try this new formula though! xx

    Under Blue Lights

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    1. Thank you! Ahh, I think the pill made mine worse in the end, but it certainly did help at the beginning. Definitely give this new one a go, it's still one of my favourite products! xx

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  13. This post is exactly what I needed! My breakouts have been getting so bad, with cysts all over my forehead and on my chin as well. I always considered trying the Effaclar Duo but the price always made me hesitate and my acne just got worse. Now you've really convinced me and I sincerely hope I get the same results as you! I would love to get my skin back to a clear state like yours and I wouldn't have to wear makeup anymore. Fingers crossed! x

    Sheri | Behind The Frames

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    1. Hey Sheri, only just seen this comment! I sympathise with you, breakouts really bring you down! I hope this cream works for you too!! xx

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  14. Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii !
    I'm struggling with acne too, I actually bought the LRP Effaclar Duo + but didn't got to use it yet lol & your review makes me want to go home and try it now! Hahhaha but did you break out more when you started using it? I saw in some reviews that they had a bad skin before it got better? Thank you! :)

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    1. Helloo! :) At first, ever so slightly. I'm sure you're already aware of this now, as I've just noticed the date on your comment! Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you, I hope it worked well for you! x

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  15. hello Amy
    I am currently trying effaclar duo and it is breaking me out terribly, I was wondering if you also experienced the "initial" breakout period due to it purging action before the enhancement or not?
    thank you very much

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    Replies
    1. Hello! I did experience some slight breaking out when I began using it the second time around, but after a few days of continued twice daily use, these breakouts subsided and clear skin finally revealed itself! Perseverance is key! ;) x

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  16. im trying effaclar duo since yesterday, i have a hormonal acne and i hope this works for me so i was wondering what if you stop ussing?, the acne will return? im afraid of it

    xx from Mexico!

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    1. Hello! :) I continued having clear skin for many months after stopping the use, but if I ever did experience a little breakout, I'd just start using it again until it cleared up. I mainly use it now to speed up the disappearance of dark marks (which it does tremendously!), and is the one skincare product I always like to have around! x

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  17. Hey - a lot of people said the new formula wasn't as good. What do you think? You skin looks AMAZE

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  18. Hey
    I'm breaking out sooo badly and i wont to give a chance to effaclar duo plus
    But i was wondring if it help to fade scars caus i have lots of scars on my face i'm sooo depressed and i cryy when i see my self on the mirror :(

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  19. Hi Amy!
    First of all, thank you SO MUCH for this post. Acne was taking a big emotional toll on me already. I'm also usually very impatient with products, but your before and after pictures kept me going with the duo and my skin is actually almost completely clear now!! YAY! I do have a question, how long after your skin became clear did you stop using effaclar duo? I am scared of the acne coming back if I stop using it, but at the same time, it doesn't feel right to be putting it on my face if it's almost free of active acne. Would you recommend switching to the A.I. corrector? or completely stopping it all? Thank you!

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  20. Hello Amy,
    Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Your skin looks so beautiful. After i've read your post, i decided to buy this product. And today, i just bought LRP duo and gel. I want to go home for trying my new babies but i have to work! Can I ask another question to you? Should i also buy effaclar clarifying lotion and that AI thing? To be honest, i don't want to use so many products because my skin is really-realy sensitive. Do you have any suggestion for me? Do you think these two products will be enough just for now? Thank you so much.
    Kisses from Turkey.

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  22. hi, your skin looks amazing! can i ask if it cause hyperpigmentation after the acne is gone?? i have been using it for 3 weeks, and it seems like my skin has gone from acne to slight acne + hyperpigmentation :( . just wondering whats your process like? really hope to get to your results!!

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Thank you for all of your wonderful comments, I try to reply to each one individually!