Mediheal Tea Tree Foam Cleanser Versus COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
Updated on June 19, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Mediheal Tea Tree Foam Cleanser 34 ingredients
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Mediheal Tea Tree Foam Cleanser 34 ingredients
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLaureth-1 Phosphate
Glycerin
Humectant
Lauryl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
PEG-160 Sorbitan Triisostearate
Cleansing
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Water, Laureth-1 Phosphate, Glycerin, Lauryl Phosphate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-160 Sorbitan Triisostearate, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Citrus Limon Fruit Oil
Astringent
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Water
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Myristic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Ethyl Hexanediol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearic Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Lauric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Glycol Distearate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric Acid1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideThis gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TauratePotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Tea Tree plant. Tea tree oil has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
According to the book Journal of Profiles of Drug Substances, tea tree helps in reducing acne-causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes. This is due to the Terpinen components of tea tree oil.
Tea tree may cause sensitivity and irritation for some people. This oil naturally contains fragrance such as linalool and limonene.
However, research shows irritation usually occurs when using pure tea tree oil and not in cosmetic products.
Tea tree oil was found to help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis in one study.
Tea tree oil is toxic when ingested. Another study showed it to caused damage to the nervous system of dogs and cats when applied to their skin or given orally.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Mediheal Tea Tree Foam Cleanser 34 ingredients
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Mediheal Tea Tree Foam Cleanser 34 ingredients
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser 23 ingredients
I used to think it was good because of how it really goes DEEP into cleaning your skin, it feels like it’s been scraped out. It’s good if you haven’t washed your face in a week, other than that it’s really bad. And that’s coming from someone who has oily skin and uses Paula’s choice BHA every other day. There are so many better cleansing products than this, I highly advise getting a medium level Show more
Cons: Hadn't realized how much this has been stripping my face of... everything until recent. Not bad at all. In fact, it's one of the best cleansers I've used in a while. But it's probably not something I need to use daily.
Pros: This does a really great job of cleaning the face. Don't think it exfoliates in any way, but my face, at least, would feel taut.
Will I buy this again? Maybe. It Show more
