Retinal 0.2% Emulsion vs Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser

Product A

Retinal 0.2% Emulsion

The Ordinary

moisturizer
10%Match

Only 10% overlap — quite different formulas

Ingredient Breakdown

Only in Retinal 0.2% (27)

4-t-butylcyclohexanol
ascorbyl-palmitate
biosaccharide-gum-1
bisabolol
brassica-campestris-sterols
Butylene Glycol
C: 1/5I: 1/5humectant
caesalpinia-spinosa-gum
cetylhydroxyproline-palmitamide
chlorphenesin
coco-caprylate-caprate
ergothioneine
hexyldecanol
hydroxyapatite
hydroxyethyl-acrylate-sodium-acryloyldimethyl-taurate-copolymer
hydroxyphenyl-propamidobenzoic-acid
isoceteth-20
isohexadecane
Lactic Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5aha
maltodextrin
Pentylene Glycol
C: 0/5I: 1/5humectant
polyacrylate-crosspolymer-6
polysorbate-60
Propanediol
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
Retinal (Retinaldehyde)
C: 0/5I: 2/5retinoid
Sodium Lactate
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
Stearic Acid
C: 2/5I: 0/5fatty acid
zingiber-officinale-root-extract

Shared (5)

Aqua (Water)
C: 0/5I: 0/5other
Ethylhexylglycerin
C: 0/5I: 1/5preservative
Phenoxyethanol
C: 0/5I: 2/5preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
C: 0/5I: 2/5other
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
C: 2/5I: 1/5antioxidant

Only in Cetaphil Gentle (17)

Betaine
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
Citric Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5aha
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
C: 0/5I: 1/5surfactant
Coco-Glucoside
C: 0/5I: 0/5surfactant
Disodium EDTA
C: 0/5I: 0/5other
gluconolactone
glycereth-26
Glycerin
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
helianthusannuusseedoil
Mandelic Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5aha
Niacinamide
C: 0/5I: 1/5antioxidant
Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
pantolactone
peg-120-methyl-glucose-dioleate
Salicylic Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5bha
sodium-citrate
sodium-cocoamphoacetate

When Used Together

CautionLactic Acid + Salicylic Acid

[Class rule] Combining AHA and BHA increases exfoliation beyond what most skin can tolerate.

Use on alternate days or choose one.

SynergyNiacinamide + Salicylic Acid

Niacinamide reduces post-BHA redness while salicylic acid unclogs pores — excellent acne-fighting duo.

Add both products to your routine and check full compatibility