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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask versus The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque .

Last updated on January 29, 2024. Published on May 06, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe wash off masks. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Wash Off Mask British Brand United Kingdom
Wash Off Mask Canadian Brand Canada

Wash Off Mask

Wash off masks are used to treat skin concerns: large pores, dryness, dullness, acne, and much more. They are applied preferably after cleansing (depending on the product’s instructions) and usually have to be removed within a specific time period.

Wash Off Mask

Wash off masks are used to treat skin concerns: large pores, dryness, dullness, acne, and much more. They are applied preferably after cleansing (depending on the product’s instructions) and usually have to be removed within a specific time period.

Price

Shop

Buy Kaolin Clay Mask

Starts at $7.49
Shop

Buy Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

Starts at $11.98

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

Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators

Benefits

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

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA
Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

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

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

The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent, Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Liked

Kaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.

Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.

Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.

The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.

Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.

Learn more about Kaolin

The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask contains this as ingredient number 2.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
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

The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask contains this as ingredient number 4.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask contains this as ingredient number 13.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

29% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
26% are disliked or very disliked
26% have no rating yet
37% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
37% are disliked or very disliked
5% 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

The INKEY List Kaolin Clay Mask 38 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 review
screamadelica's Avatar'
Mar 9, 2023

great mask
really good mask, especially considering the price. it looks basic, and it isn’t the most ‘fun’ mask to use, but it in fact contains a lot of great ingredients. for less than $10, you can’t beat this mask!

great mask
really good mask, especially considering the price. it looks basic, and it isn’t the most ‘fun’ mask to use, but it in fact contains a lot of great ingredients. for less than $10, you can’t beat this mask!

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque 19 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 7 reviews
CustardBunny's Avatar'
Oct 16, 2023

Waay too harsh for my skin, doesnt do much..
But feels fun in the moment

Waay too harsh for my skin, doesnt do much..
But feels fun in the moment

antimonious's Avatar'
Jun 8, 2023

The only mask good for my skin
DISCLAIMER: Every skin is different, explore products carefully, mindfully, and have fun :) | (Skin profile: combination, slightly sensitive, textured, oily T-zone, enlarged pores) | For years I've...

The only mask good for my skin
DISCLAIMER: Every skin is different, explore products carefully, mindfully, and have fun :) | (Skin profile: combination, slightly sensitive, textured, oily T-zone, enlarged pores) | For years I've struggled with top-layer exfoliation because any product I'd use would leave my skin red, irritated, and looking like tight plastic foil. I tried dozens of wet masks, sheet masks, acid peels, with a variety of acids (salicylic, glycolic, you name it - I've tried it), and none worked well. This wet mask is a game-changer. Twice a week, I apply it in the evening, after cleansing, a generous amount I'd say, but not too much, "about half a teaspoon is enough for the face and neck" the packaging says. Usually I leave it on for 7-8 minutes, a bit less than the 10 minutes the packaging puts as the maximum, gently rinse it off with warm water, pat my face dry with a soft towel, and my skin looks just fine. I haven't ever had any redness after using it, my skin wasn't feeling tight, and it even still had a natural glow to it (which hasn't ever happened because other masks would dry my skin out completely). This product deserves way more than just 5 stars.

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