Medik8 Clarifying Foam™ vs Plum 1% Salicylic Acid Clearly Gentle Gel Face Wash For Acne-Prone Skin

Medik8

Plum

A face wash built around Niacinamide and AHA, for fighting acne and barrier repair.

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

Face wash

13 ingredients

25 ingredients

Brand price

GBP 25.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

INR 293.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

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

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Mandelic Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Lactic acid1
An AHA that also acts as a humectant.
Sodium Lactate
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

Hydrating1
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Tocopherol
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Niacinamide, Tocopherol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Smoothing3
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Mandelic Acid, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid

Hydrating9
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Betaine, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Xylitol
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Betaine, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Xylitol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol
Smoothing2
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Salicylic Acid, Sodium Lactate

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Polysorbate 20
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation4
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopherol

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Fragrance
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Fragrance
May Worsen Rosacea1
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Fragrance

Show highlights for:

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
Cleansing
0-1 / —
- Silicones
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
0 / —
- AHA
- Mandelic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Benzyl Alcohol
Preservative
- EU labelled fragrance allergen
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
- Fragrant essential oil (sensitizer)
- Acne Fighting
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Ethylhexylglycerin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
- 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

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 →
Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →