The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser vs Humane Acne Wash 5

The Inkey List

Humane

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

A face cleanser built around Benzoyl peroxide and PHA, for hydration and fighting acne.

Face cleanser

26 ingredients

7 ingredients

Brand price

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

Brand price

Not recorded

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on EU-allergen-free and Pore-clogger-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

PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
Benzoyl peroxide1
An antibacterial acne treatment that kills C. acnes.
Benzoyl Peroxide

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 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

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Glycerin
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
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating

Benzoyl Peroxide
Oxidising
0 / —
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Acne Fighting
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Gel Forming
1 / 0
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (in both products)
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
- PHA
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Sodium Benzoate (in both products)
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —

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 →
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 →
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 →