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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US versus Minimalist Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser .

Last updated on January 06, 2024. Published on July 27, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Face Cleanser American Brand United States
Face Cleanser Indian Brand India

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

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Buy Gentle Skin Cleanser

Starts at $11.99
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Buy Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 1.

Minimalist Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 2.

Minimalist Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 4.

Minimalist Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 16.

4
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 10.

Minimalist Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 26.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

50% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
61% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 10 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 22 reviews
starstellastar_407's Avatar'
Jan 10, 2024

This is HORRIBLE, soooo bad. Broke me out so bad. It is mega comedogenic. The ingredients are literally known to cause acne.

This is HORRIBLE, soooo bad. Broke me out so bad. It is mega comedogenic. The ingredients are literally known to cause acne.

Drying
Broke Me Out
Doesn't Work
Region: US
MeaganClare's Avatar'
Apr 26, 2023

It's fine
I find it doesn't really do much when it comes to cleansing, as sometimes I feel I have to use it twice for my face to really feel clean. It also feels like it leaves a film or layer of moisturizer on my skin after using it,...

It's fine
I find it doesn't really do much when it comes to cleansing, as sometimes I feel I have to use it twice for my face to really feel clean. It also feels like it leaves a film or layer of moisturizer on my skin after using it, which makes me feel like I need to rinse it off for a while. It doesn't lather well, and I've still had acne issues while using it, but it feels like a pretty neutral part of my routine. I do think there are better cleansers, but this is a good place to start when looking to simplify your routine and take it back to basics.

Region: US
leomonarch_903's Avatar'
Sep 20, 2023

Burn my face
I don’t know which burn my skin, pantolactone or citric acid, whatever.my face become burn and red like a tomato,I have to wash with cold water and put on lucas papaw oilment.

Burn my face
I don’t know which burn my skin, pantolactone or citric acid, whatever.my face become burn and red like a tomato,I have to wash with cold water and put on lucas papaw oilment.

Region: US

Minimalist Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser 28 ingredients

Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

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