The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser vs Cetaphil Nourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser

The Inkey List

Cetaphil

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

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

Face cleanser

26 ingredients

23 ingredients

Brand price

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

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from United States

At a Glance

They come out differently on EU-allergen-free, Oil-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

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

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Saccharide Isomerate
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

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:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
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 (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
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate (in both products)
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (in both products)
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Lauryl Glucoside
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Chloride (in both products)
Fragrance
0-1 / —

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
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 →
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 →
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Sodium Chloride
Bulking, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium chloride
Learn more about Sodium Chloride →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →