The INKEY List CA Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser
Works for
CleansingSodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 6 moreCleanses gently
“What it is: A lightly-foaming cleanser that removes makeup and dirt, helping to reduce blackheads, acne, and blemishes while unclogging pores.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, coco-glucoside, coconut acid, glyceryl oleate, peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate) 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, coco-glucoside, glyceryl oleate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, AllantoinWorks well
“Salicylic Acid 2%: Helps to gently exfoliate the skin and unclogs the pores by dislodging dead skin cells.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Zinc pca + 1 moreWorks well
“What it is: A lightly-foaming cleanser that removes makeup and dirt, helping to reduce blackheads, acne, and blemishes while unclogging pores.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propanediol~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinSodium methyl cocoyl taurate~3.4–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent
More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateCocamidopropyl betaine~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betainePeg-120 methyl glucose dioleate~1.7–2.5%
Salicylic acid~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidPeg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearatePeg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps dissolve other ingredients
More about Peg-6 caprylic/capric glyceridesBetaine~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineZinc pca~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaPhenoxyethanol~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium chloride~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideAllantoin~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinSodium hydroxide~0.3–0.75%
Coco-glucoside~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosideGlyceryl oleate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Glyceryl oleateBenzyl alcohol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCoconut acid~0.2–0.75%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.4%
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.3%
Citric acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidDehydroacetic acid~0.05–0.2%
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateTocopherol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolHydrogenated palm glycerides citrate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glycerides citrateIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Peg-120 methyl glucose dioleate, Salicylic acid, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Peg-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, Betaine, Zinc pca, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium chloride, Allantoin, Sodium hydroxide, Coco-glucoside, Glyceryl oleate, Benzyl alcohol, Coconut acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium benzoate, Citric acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated palm glycerides citrate
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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.
| The INKEY List CASalicylic Acid Acne + Pore CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | L'Oréal ParisDaily Foaming Gel Cleanser | The ElementsPurifying Gel Cleanser | PrequelTRAVEL GLEANSER + SA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 84% | 84% |
| Price | $10.99 | $4.99−$6.00 | $10.74 | $6.00−$4.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 4 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Glyceryl Stearate | Decyl Glucoside | Inulin |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Face facts Ceramide Blemish Foaming CleanserOleHenriksen Daily D-Clog Pore-Clearing Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 5A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 6
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