Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar vs COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser

Cetaphil

COSRX

A face cleanser, for hydration and barrier repair.

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

Face cleanser

20 ingredients

24 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

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

No retailer listed yet

Brand from United States

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on EU-allergen-free, Oil-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Titanium Dioxide
Sunscreen1
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Titanium Dioxide

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

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, PEG-20, Petrolatum, Stearic Acid
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin, Petrolatum, Stearic Acid
Smoothing1
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Petrolatum
Antioxidant1
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Propyl Gallate

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 Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Stearic Acid
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Butyl Avocadate, Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Tallowate, Stearic Acid, Sucrose Cocoate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Stearic Acid
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Petrolatum

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:

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Stearic Acid (in both products)
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
Sodium Tallowate
Cleansing
- Animal-derived
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoate
Cleansing
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Stearate
Cleansing
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Chloride (in both products)
Fragrance
0-1 / —
PEG-20
Humectant
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Stearic Acid (in both products)
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
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.

Stearic Acid
Cleansing, Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Refatting, Cleansing, Emulsifying
Stearic Acid may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Stearic Acid →
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
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 →
Sodium Chloride
Bulking, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium chloride
Learn more about Sodium Chloride →