Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser vs COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser

Alpha-H

COSRX

A face cleanser built around Vitamin E and AHA, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A face cleanser built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Face cleanser

14 ingredients

24 ingredients

Brand price

AUD 56.95 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 15.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from Australia

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on EU-allergen-free; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetyl Alcohol
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Centella asiatica (Cica)3
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, PEG-32, Stearic Acid
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Stearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum

May Trigger Acne6
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Arachidic Acid, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis11
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Arachidic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauramide DEA, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cocoate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris6
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Arachidic Acid, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Limonene, Linalool

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
4 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
0 / 1
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Lauryl Glucoside
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
0 / —
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
0-1 / —

Water
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
2-3 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
3 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-32
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
Buffering
0-1 / —
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
2 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
4 / 1
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-100 Stearate
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →