The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser vs Neutrogena Evenly Clear Acne Cleanser with Salicylic Acid

The Inkey List

Neutrogena

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

A face wash built around PHA and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.

Face cleanser

Face wash

26 ingredients

16 ingredients

Brand price

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

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

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Brand from United States

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At a Glance

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

PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
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
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
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

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Panthenol
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Glycerin, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

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 (in both products)
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate (in both products)
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
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating

Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (in both products)
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
- PHA
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate
Cleansing
0-1 / —
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate (in both products)
Emulsifying
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation

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 →
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate →
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate →
Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →