COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser vs CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

COSRX

CeraVe

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

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

Face cleanser

24 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

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

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from South Korea

Brand from United States

At a Glance

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

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

Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
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

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid

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
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

Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
- PHA
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- 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 →
Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →