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The INKEY List

2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser.

The INKEY List 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Cleansers

About this product

A daily cleanser formulated with 2% salicylic acid and a zinc compound to cleanse skin and help control excess oil.

Full ingredients

Guru Score

83%

Approved

10 experts · Strong agreement
10Gurus
10Approved
0Mixed
0Skip
#12 in CleansersSee the ranking →

What they liked

  • Oil-control zinc compound
  • Affordable salicylic acid cleanser
  • Straightforward formula

What they flagged

    Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

    What the gurus are saying

    The zinc compound added to the 2% salicylic acid formula sets this cleanser apart, helping control oil in a way reviewers specifically praise. They commend its straightforward approach and affordability, positioning it as an effective salicylic acid option that doesn't overcomplicate things or strain the budget. A solid choice for anyone after dependable oil control without the premium price.
    Synthesized from 10 expert reviews · most recent take December 2025

    What the gurus are saying.

    Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

    All takes Approved takes Critical takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
    Approved
    "Go for a simple salicylic acid face wash such as the inky less"
    Approved
    "Inky list is like tried and true they have really great products"
    Approved
    "For oily, breakout or acne prone skin, or those wanting to maintain well-maintained pores, I think you will love the INKEY List salicylic acid cleanser. It's a great daily use cleanser that contains 2% salicylic acid you massage on the face for 60 seconds to 2 minutes and rinse away. If you have a teenager just starting to break out and get blackheads, this is a great way to gently and safely introduce a chemical exfoliant into their routine. I love this one."
    Approved
    "What's been so great for him and I'm I'm not just saying it to gas you is Inky list is it salicylic acid yeah and then we finish with your moisturizer oh amazing cleared up the black"
    All 3 takes from Caroline Hirons
    Colette Laxton And Mark Curry: Founding the Inkey List and Being Unlikely Entrepreneurs
    "Sweat and I'm quite oily um salicylic acid and again plugging but um I'd be in serious trouble"
    18: Colette Laxton And Mark Curry: Founding The INKEY List and Becoming Unlikely Entrepreneurs
    "Salic acid and again plugging but um I'd be in serious trouble B bodywise and because I try and try and stay healthy"
    S2 Ep3: Candice Brathwaite
    "What's been so great for him and I'm I'm not just saying it to gas you is Inky list is it salicylic acid yeah and then we finish with your moisturizer oh amazing cleared up the black"
    Approved
    "Inky list has some fantastic ones that are under $10"
    All 2 takes from Cassandra Bankson
    How To Get Rid Of Sebaceous Filaments
    "Inky list has some fantastic ones that are under $10"
    Best and Worst Products From The Inkey List
    "One of the products that I constantly lean on from the inky list is the salicylic acid cleanser this is one of the absolute best and it's at an affordable price"
    Approved
    "The Inkey List has a 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser."
    All 2 takes from Doctorly
    Building a Body Care Routine with Retinol | Doctorly Routines
    "The Inkey List has a 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser."
    SIMPLE ACNE ROUTINE FROM A DERMATOLOGIST | Doctorly Routines
    "The Inkey List has one, too. I think also affordable 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser as well."
    Approved
    "The main reason I love it is because it includes salicylic acid, which is great for deeply exfoliating your pores and making sure there's no dead skin cell buildup that may be contributing to breakouts or acne. It's a really good price point. It's always been one of my favorites. If you have oily skin and you're looking for a good affordable option to treat that concern, I highly recommend checking this one out."
    All 5 takes from Hyram
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    "Great if you struggle with breakouts or acne to get a little bit of the exfoliation when you cleanse"
    The BEST Cleansers of 2022!
    "The main reason I love it is because it includes salicylic acid, which is great for deeply exfoliating your pores and making sure there's no dead skin cell buildup that may be contributing to breakouts or acne. It's a really good price point. It's always been one of my favorites. If you have oily skin and you're looking for a good affordable option to treat that concern, I highly recommend checking this one out."
    Specialist Reacts to Chloe's Skin Care Routine
    "If she's wanting something a little bit more intense to really get everything out of the pores, there's the Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser that I've recommended in the past."
    The BEST Cleansers of 2021!
    "The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser, I like this one particularly for oily skin because it includes salicylic acid, which gently exfoliates and helps with blocked pores or breakouts. I love recommending this one because it's a good two in one for people who don't necessarily want a dedicated salicylic acid product, though if you really need help with oiliness or breakouts I'd recommend a dedicated salicylic acid product instead. It's still very gentle, a good overall cleansing experience, a simple ingredient list, a great price point, and it just does its job."
    Why Your Cleanser is NOT Working
    "I also recommend the Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser if you're wanting a little bit of an exfoliating experience, because salicylic acid works to help minimize oil production on the skin but also get rid of dead skin cells in your pores. This one's a great one that I've recommended for a long time, especially if you want a two in one cleansing experience."
    Approved
    "Incubus has a fantastic one that is two percent and extremely affordable"
    Approved
    "I like their salicylic acid cleanser."
    Approved
    "The Inky List has a 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser that also has a zinc compound in it which helps with oil control. This is just a great super straightforward affordable salicylic acid cleanser."

    What the evidence says.

    Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

    Salicylic acid

    Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can get into a pore rather than just working on the surface. That is why it has long-standing evidence for blackheads and milder acne.

    Source: DermNet

    Humectants and emollients

    Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

    Source: DermNet

    Vitamin E

    Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

    Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

    Frequently asked.

    What is The INKEY List 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser?

    A daily cleanser formulated with 2% salicylic acid and a zinc compound to cleanse skin and help control excess oil.

    Is The INKEY List 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser worth it?

    Yes. All 10 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 83%.

    What is The INKEY List 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser's Guru Score?

    The INKEY List 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 83%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 10 expert reviewers we have collected.

    Who is The INKEY List 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser best for?

    The INKEY List 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser is generally suited to oily skin.

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