COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser — Efficacy 3.8/5.0, Safety 4.1/5.0 | DemythSkin
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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser

COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser

CleanserAcne / Blemishes
Efficacy
Solid
3.8 / 5.0
Safety
Mostly Safe
4.1 / 5.0
System Verdict
Solid acne-fighting cleanser that cleans gently without barrier damage, boosted by contact-active salicylic acid. Efficacy score of 3.8 reflects excellent gentle surfactant base (Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine as primary cleansers, no harsh sulfates), 0.5% salicylic acid positioned mid-list for effective contact exfoliation in rinse-off format, plus tea tree oil and lauric acid for anti-acne synergy; pH likely adjusted to 5-6 via Potassium Hydroxide/Citric Acid for mildness.
Active Ingredients Detected
S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative
Salicylic Acid
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
WaterGlycerin
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
Myristic AcidStearic AcidPotassium HydroxideLauric AcidButylene GlycolGlycol DistearatePolysorbate 80Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateCocamidopropyl BetainePEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilSodium ChlorideCaprylyl GlycolSalix Alba (Willow) Bark Water1,2-HexanediolEthyl HexanediolCitric AcidDisodium EDTA
D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit OilMelaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf OilEthylhexylglycerin
What Each Ingredient Does
Water
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Myristic Acid
Surfactant / Emulsifier
Stearic Acid
Emulsifier / Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
pH Adjuster
Lauric Acid
Surfactant / Anti-acne
Butylene Glycol
Humectant / Solvent
Glycol Distearate
Emulsifier / Opacifier
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifier / Surfactant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Gentle Surfactant
Salicylic Acid
Exfoliant / Anti-acne
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Gentle Surfactant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifier
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Oil
Fragrance / Astringent
Sodium Chloride
Viscosity Controller
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
Anti-acne / Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Humectant / Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Preservative
Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water
Soothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Solvent / Preservative
Ethyl Hexanediol
Solvent / Preservative
Citric Acid
pH Adjuster / Chelator
Disodium EDTA
Chelating Agent
Full Ingredient List (INCI)

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, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Oil, Sodium Chloride, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA

Frequently Asked

Is COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser worth it?

COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser scores 3.8 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Solid) and 4.1 out of 5.0 for safety (Mostly Safe) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. Solid acne-fighting cleanser that cleans gently without barrier damage, boosted by contact-active salicylic acid. Efficacy score of 3.8 reflects excellent gentle surfactant base (Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopro

What are the key active ingredients in COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser?

COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Salicylic Acid.

Does COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin flags these ingredients in COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser as potential irritants: Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin.

How is COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

Analyze on DemythSkin

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-07. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.