Minimalist Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser Versus Zitsticka Cushion Cleanse Balancing Facial Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin
Updated on January 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Minimalist Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser 28 ingredients
Zitsticka Cushion Cleanse Balancing Facial Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin 51 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Minimalist Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser 28 ingredients
Zitsticka Cushion Cleanse Balancing Facial Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin 51 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
SolventSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sodium PCA
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Salicylic Acid, Betaine, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Allantoin, Zinc PCA, Sodium PCA, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingKaolin
Abrasive
Aluminum Magnesium Oxide
AbsorbentStearic Acid
Cleansing
Bentonite
AbsorbentLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Bisabolol
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCarrageenan
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Glucose
HumectantSodium Surfactin
CleansingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingLactic Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventXylitol
HumectantErythritol
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylose
HumectantUrea
Buffering
Papain
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantAlanine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Rhamnose
HumectantCreatine
Skin ConditioningCirsium Eriophorum Callus Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucuronic Acid
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Kaolin, Aluminum Magnesium Oxide, Stearic Acid, Bentonite, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Bisabolol, Parfum, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Benzoic Acid, Glucose, Sodium Surfactin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Xylitol, Erythritol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylose, Urea, Papain, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Alanine, Glycine, Magnesium Aspartate, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Rhamnose, Creatine, Cirsium Eriophorum Callus Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Glucuronic Acid, Dehydroacetic 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 GlycerinCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetainePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about XylitylglucosideThis ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Minimalist Salicylic + LHA 2% Face Cleanser 28 ingredients
Zitsticka Cushion Cleanse Balancing Facial Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin 51 ingredients
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