COSRX SALICYLIC ACID DAILY CLEANSER

COSRX SALICYLIC ACID DAILY CLEANSER

Efficacy33/100IrritancyHigh·75% recommend (4 reviews)

Works for

Cleansing
Myristic acid, Stearic acid + 6 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“SALICYLIC ACID DAILY CLEANSER”
Source: Face the Future

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, glycol distearate, lauric acid, myristic acid, peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, polysorbate 80, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, stearic acid) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Myristic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic~3.8–5.6%
Stearic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~2.5–3.7%
Lauric acidEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes~1.7–2.5%
Glycol distearateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~1.2–1.9%
Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~1–1.5%
Polysorbate 80Effect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~1–1.45%
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent~1–1.5%
Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.35–0.85%
Exfoliation
Salicylic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Prevent formation of blackheads and whiteheads by exfoliation.”
Source: Supderdrug

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Salicylic acidUnder-dosedUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.4–0.95%
Anti-blemish
Lauric acid, Salicylic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“The COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser gently removes impurities and excess sebum while fighting acnes and blemishes, leaving skin soft and smooth without the stripping feeling.”
Source: Face the Future

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Lauric acidEffect: LowHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes~1.7–2.5%
Salicylic acidUnder-dosedUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.4–0.95%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Parfum, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 19 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~1–1.5%est.
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.4–0.95%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~1–1.5%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.2–0.8%est.
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.2–0.7%est.
Cryptomeria japonica leaf extractA plant extract that might have antioxidant effect in skinHigh~0.1–0.45%est.
Ulmus davidiana root extractA plant root extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might have an anti-inflammatory effect and could help neturalize free radicals in skinHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Oenothera biennis flower extractUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.1–0.3%est.
Ethyl hexanediolUsed to dissolve other ingredients. Might be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Myristic acidHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenicMedium~3.8–5.6%est.
Potassium hydroxideUsed to adjust the pH level of productsMedium~2–3%est.
Lauric acidHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishesMedium~1.7–2.5%est.
Glycol distearateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~1.2–1.9%est.
Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.2–0.8%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.01–0.05%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.01–0.05%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Myristic acidHelps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic3/5~3.8–5.6%est.
Lauric acidHelps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes3/5~1.7–2.5%est.

User reviews

Would you recommend?
75%·yes

3 of 4 community members would buy it again.

75% would25% wouldn't
  • RenC· Jun 2025Recommends

    Not too stripping, truly gentle enough for once a day use.

  • Nor· Mar 2025Doesn't recommend

    It is make my skin very bad..I hate it😢

  • ShortlySun· May 2024Recommends

    This cleansed my skin well and I used it for a long time without problem, but it can be quite stripping. I'm okay with this but I'm going to try gentler cleanser now :)

What reviewers noticed
Marker shows the average response

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~4.1–6.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Myristic acid~3.8–5.6%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic

More about Myristic acid
Stearic acid~2.5–3.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Potassium hydroxide~2–3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to adjust the pH level of products

More about Potassium hydroxide
Lauric acid~1.7–2.5%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
CleansingAnti-blemishAntibacterial

Helps water and oil mix together. Has anti-bacterial properties that might be helpful in preventing blemishes

More about Lauric acid
Butylene glycol~1.4–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol
Glycol distearate~1.2–1.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glycol distearate
Polysorbate 80~1–1.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Polysorbate 80
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~1–1.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent

More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
Salicylic acid~0.4–0.95%
Under-dosedIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Cocamidopropyl betaine~1–1.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil
Parfum~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Sodium chloride~0.3–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.2–0.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Salix alba bark water~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Saccharomyces ferment~0.15–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A product of yeast fermentation. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Saccharomyces ferment
Cryptomeria japonica leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have antioxidant effect in skin

More about Cryptomeria japonica leaf extract
Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Pinus palustris leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Ulmus davidiana root extract~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A plant root extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might have an anti-inflammatory effect and could help neturalize free radicals in skin

More about Ulmus davidiana root extract
Oenothera biennis flower extract~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Oenothera biennis flower extract
Pueraria lobata root extract~0.05–0.25%
Formula
1,2-hexanediol~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol
Ethyl hexanediol~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used to dissolve other ingredients. Might be irritating

More about Ethyl hexanediol
Citric acid~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Disodium edta~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Myristic acid, Stearic acid, Potassium hydroxide, Lauric acid, Butylene glycol, Glycol distearate, Polysorbate 80, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Salicylic acid, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Parfum, Sodium chloride, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salix alba bark water, Saccharomyces ferment, Cryptomeria japonica leaf extract, Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract, Pinus palustris leaf extract, Ulmus davidiana root extract, Oenothera biennis flower extract, Pueraria lobata root extract, 1,2-hexanediol, Ethyl hexanediol, Citric acid, Disodium edta

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$18.17
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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
COSRXSALICYLIC ACID DAILY CLEANSERYOUR PRODUCTinnisfreeVolcanic BHA Pore Cleansing FoamRiReAll Kill Acne CleansersieroDustin Dun Cleansing Foam
Match—90%89%88%
Price$18.17$10.27−$7.90$33.20+$15.03$38.73+$20.56
Shared key ingredients—6 of 125 of 125 of 12
Key difference—MadecassosideCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCeramide Np
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

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COSRX SALICYLIC ACID DAILY CLEANSER
COSRXSALICYLIC ACID DAILY CLEANSER

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.