La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Facial Gel Cleanser With Melasyl™ + Niacinamide vs The Derma Co 2% Salicylic Acid Gel Face Wash with Salicylic Acid & Witch Hazel

La Roche-Posay

The Derma Co

A face wash built around AHA and PHA, for hydration and barrier repair.

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

Face wash

26 ingredients

34 ingredients

Brand price

USD 26.99 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

INR 329.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from France

Brand from India

At a Glance

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

Ceramide1
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide NP
Vitamin E2
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate
PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Astringent (witch hazel / tannin)1
Tannin-bearing astringents such as witch hazel.
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide NP, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tocopherol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Smoothing3
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Niacinamide

Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Anhydroxylitol, Betaine, Glucose, Glycerin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Panthenol, PEG-8, Propylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Xylitol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide NP, Coco-Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Parfum, Tocopherol

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Show highlights for:

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —
Sodium Chloride
Fragrance
0-1 / —
Citric Acid (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —
- AHA
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acrylates Copolymer (in both products)
Film Forming
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Aqua
Solvent
Water
Learn more about Aqua →
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 Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Acrylates Copolymer
Antistatic, Binding, Film Forming
2-propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with ethyl 2-propenoate and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate
Learn more about Acrylates Copolymer →