SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser vs Clinique Acne Solutions™ Cleansing Gel

SkinMedica

Clinique

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

A face cleanser built around Hyaluronic acid, for hydration and pollution defence.

Face cleanser

27 ingredients

20 ingredients

Brand price

USD 48.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 29.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

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

Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Titanium Dioxide
Sunscreen1
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Titanium Dioxide
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Bisabolol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Bisabolol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin, Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Sucrose
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Sucrose

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Peg/Ppg-8/3 Diisostearate
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
May Worsen Eczema2
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Dryness1
Can strip moisture and worsen dryness.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Show highlights for:

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Peg/Ppg-8/3 Diisostearate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Emollient
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acrylates Copolymer
Film Forming
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Occlusive

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Sulfate surfactants (SLS/SLES)
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Chloride
Fragrance
0-1 / —
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Sucrose
Humectant
0-1 / —
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin Protecting
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
- Under-Eye Care

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 →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →