The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser Versus The Purest Solutions Exfoliating Salicylic Acid Cleanser

The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser Versus The Purest Solutions Exfoliating Salicylic Acid Cleanser

This cream cleanser uses mild cleansing ingredients, but contains alcohol that may feel drying for some.

This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Glycerin

Coco-Glucoside

Betaine

Cetearyl Alcohol

Stearic Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Benzyl Alcohol

Xanthan Gum

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Inulin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Hydroxide

Dehydroacetic Acid

Polyquaternium-10

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Sodium Hyaluronate

Lecithin

Water, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Inulin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Lauryl Glucoside

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate

Phenethyl Alcohol

Niacinamide

Pentylene Glycol

PEG/PPG-120/10 Trimethylolpropane Trioleate

Laureth-2

1,2-Hexanediol

Salicylic Acid

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Sodium PCA

Panthenol

Zinc PCA

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-120/10 Trimethylolpropane Trioleate, Laureth-2, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Zinc PCA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:

The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.

Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.

This ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.

You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.

According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:

One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.

Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.

This ingredient is water-soluble.

Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.

In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.

Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:

Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.

Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.

You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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