The Inkey List
Salicylic Acid CleanserA face wash built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.
A face cleanser built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 69.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 15.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Fragrance-free and Pore-clogger-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Inositol, Trehalose, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Betaine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Coconut Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Tocopherol
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-150 Distearate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
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
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (in both products)
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Humectant
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (in both products)
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
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Antistatic, Cleansing, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cocamidopropyl Betaine isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl Betaine →Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →Betaine
Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Humectant
Betaine is the zwitterion (inner salt) that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Betaine →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 →Sodium Benzoate
Anticorrosive, Fragrance, Preservative
Sodium Benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Sodium Benzoate →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison
Murad
Clarifying Cleanser Value Size
Murad
AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
- View the comparison
The Inkey List
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Minimalist
Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Cleanser
- View the comparison
Murad
Clarifying Cleanser Value Size
PanOxyl
Acne Gel Wash
- View the comparison
The Inkey List
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Minimalist
Alpha Lipoic + Glycolic 7% Cleanser