COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid
Glycerin
Oil Tree Leaf
Willow Water Bark
Butylene Glycol
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers excellent benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts due to the presence of salicylic acid and willow bark water in concentrations that provide targeted exfoliation and anti-inflammatory effects, making it highly suitable for your combination skin.
- Glycerin and sodium methyl cocoyl taurate further aid in cleansing and hydration, supporting your skin's needs without causing dryness.
- The formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like willow bark water and lacks harsh or prohibited substances.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 13.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this creamy foaming cleanser is highly recommended for oily and acne-prone skin, effectively deep cleaning pores and reducing breakouts. Users with dry or sensitive skin, however, frequently find it to be drying or stripping, suggesting it is best suited as a targeted treatment rather than a daily hydrating cleanser.
Highlights
Clears acne Mostly Mentioned
- “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks”
- “prevents spots and black heads”
- “shorten the life of some of my breakouts”
- “dried down my acne”
Controls oil Often Mentioned
- “whisking away that excess shine”
- “ideal for oily skin”
- “removes excess oil without making face entirely dry”
- “keeps oil production balanced”
Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
- “removes every trace of oil”
- “squeaky clean feeling”
- “gets rid of all the dirt and sebum”
- “skin feels thoroughly clean”
Drying or stripping Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin feeling tight”
- “stripped of moisture”
- “felt quite a bit of dryness”
- “skin did feel more drier/tighter than usual”
Creamy lather Sometimes Noted
- “creamy and makes a nice, thick lather”
- “foams up quickly”
- “rich and creamy”
- “creates a really nice lather”
Gentle exfoliation Sometimes Noted
- “gently exfoliate and remove impurities”
- “skin feels so soft and smooth”
- “buff away dead skin cells”
- “refines pores”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “stings really bad if it accidentally gets in the eyes”
- “will sting if gets into eyes”
- “can't use it to clean the skin around the eyes”
High pH Rarely Noted
- “pH is 9”
- “high pH”
- “squeaky feeling implies high pH”
- “stripping away your skin's natural moisture barrier”
Medicinal scent Rarely Noted
- “smells of herbs and earth”
- “medicinal smell”
- “smells like tea tree”
- “subtle citrus fragrance”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “minor irritation”
- “redness appearing after use”
- “broke me out”
- “burning after using it”
Sources: lovi.care, yesstyle.com, nykaa.com, iherb.com, gopicky.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser a great fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit because it contains salicylic acid and willow bark water, which provide targeted exfoliation and calm breakouts on acne-prone skin. Glycerin helps clean and hydrate without leaving your skin dry, while the safe formula avoids harsh substances.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019BioMed Research International, 2020
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid and willow bark water make this cleanser a great fit because they provide targeted exfoliation and calming effects that help manage breakouts and blemishes. Glycerin further supports the skin by keeping it clean and hydrated without leaving it dry.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019BioMed Research International, 2020
What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routines as the cleansing step. It helps wash away impurities and excess oil while supporting your skin without causing dryness, and you can start using it once a week if you are new to exfoliating ingredients before using it more often.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, but it is best to use them at different times of day or on alternate days to avoid making your skin too dry or irritated. Using this cleanser in the morning and your retinol at night helps keep your skin clear while lowering the likelihood of redness or flaking.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a great fit for your acne-prone skin and can be used daily as part of your morning and evening routine. Salicylic acid and willow bark water help clear breakouts and calm redness, while glycerin keeps your skin hydrated without feeling dry.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019BioMed Research International, 2020
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for acne-prone skin because salicylic acid and willow bark water help clear out pores and calm breakouts. Glycerin also helps keep your skin feeling comfortable without getting overly dry, making it unlikely to clog pores.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the very thin skin around your eyes to prevent irritation. The formula helps clear breakouts while keeping skin hydrated, making it a great fit for body acne.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Topical herbal treatments including lemon balm, olive leaf extract, propolis, and sage-rhubarb cream reduce pain, swelling, lesion size, and healing time in patients with herpes labialis compared with placebo or acyclovir.
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 2025Topical oleuropein formulations reduced erythema, transepidermal water loss, and blood flow by approximately 22%, 35%, and 30% in healthy volunteers with UVB-induced erythema.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008An oil-in-serum formulation containing olive extract standardized in hydroxytyrosol improved skin barrier function and significantly reduced hyperpigmentation in participants with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after 45 days of application.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2026Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Salicylic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Chloride, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Willow Bark Water Bark, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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