Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser vs COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser

Cetaphil

COSRX

A face cleanser built around Panthenol and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and hydration.

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

Face cleanser

10 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 Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid
Niacinamide1
Vitamin B3 — supports the barrier and evens tone.
Niacinamide

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, Panthenol, Pantolactone
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

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.
Cetearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol

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:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Pantolactone
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
Cleansing
0-1 / —
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Benzoate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
0 / —
- AHA
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing

Water (in both products)
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
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.

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 →