La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 50ml

The 50ml size of Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel is the travel version of the cleanser dermatologists reach for first for oily, acne-prone skin. It is soap-free and formulated at the skin's own slightly acidic pH, so it removes the excess sebum, sweat and grime that block pores without stripping the lipid barrier. Zinc PCA, a zinc salt bound to a skin-identical amino acid, helps temper sebum production and calm the skin, while La Roche-Posay's selenium-rich thermal spring water soothes redness. The gel lathers into a light foam, rinses clean and leaves no tight, squeaky feeling. It is fragrance-light, non-comedogenic and gentle enough to use twice a day for years, including alongside prescription acne treatments that make skin more reactive. This travel size fits a gym bag or weekend case and is the sensible way to test the gel before committing to the 200ml or 400ml bottle.

A cleanser you tolerate is the foundation of an acne routine, and the only way to know is to use it for a few weeks. This size lets you do that for a small outlay, and it keeps the routine going when you travel, which is exactly when skin tends to break out.