ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser Versus Clinique Exfoliating Scrub
Updated on June 12, 2025
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and sulfates
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
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser 36 ingredients
Clinique Exfoliating Scrub 58 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser 36 ingredients
Clinique Exfoliating Scrub 58 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Mannitol
Humectant
Cellulose
AbsorbentSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Niacin
Smoothing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientLaureth-2
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Sulfate
Disodium EDTA
Ammonium Lactate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium PCA
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Mannitol, Cellulose, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacin, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-2, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Ammonium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium PCA, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid, Parfum, CI 77289, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingDisodium Oleamido Mipa-Sulfosuccinate
CleansingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Stearamidoethyl Diethylamine
Oleamide Mipa
Trisodium Sulfosuccinate
BufferingSodium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
PEG-100 Stearate
Silica
Abrasive
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSucrose
Humectant
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
C30-38 Olefin/Isopropyl Maleate/Ma Copolymer
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Arginine Ferulate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAscorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyethylene, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Oleamido Mipa-Sulfosuccinate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Stearamidoethyl Diethylamine, Oleamide Mipa, Trisodium Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, CI 77891, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Benzophenone-3, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octocrylene, PEG-100 Stearate, Silica, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Plankton Extract, Caffeine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sucrose, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, C30-38 Olefin/Isopropyl Maleate/Ma Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-8 Laurate, Sodium Rna, Lecithin, Propyl Gallate, Arginine Ferulate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Sodium Dehydroacetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate is a surfactant and helps cleanse skin. It is created from the fatty acids of coconut oil.
Surfactants help rinse oil, dirt, and other pollutants easily from skin. It has a faint fruit-like scent.
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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Sulfate is a type of sulfate.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser 36 ingredients
Clinique Exfoliating Scrub 58 ingredients
Reviews
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