La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash vs The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

La Roche-Posay

The Inkey List

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

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

Face wash

Face cleanser

19 ingredients

26 ingredients

Brand price

USD 19.99 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 15.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from France

Brand country not recorded

At a Glance

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

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)1
Zinc salts, used for sebum control and soothing.
Zinc PCA
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide NP, 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

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Glycerin, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Zinc PCA
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Coconut Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Zinc PCA
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide NP, Coco-Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Tocopherol

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Coconut Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Benzyl Alcohol, Tocopherol

Show highlights for:

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

Water
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol (in both products)
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
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
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate (in both products)
Emulsifying
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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 →
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Sodium Chloride
Bulking, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium chloride
Learn more about Sodium Chloride →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chelating
L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, trisodium salt
Learn more about Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate →
Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →