The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.
The original · Face Reality
$38 · 6 oz
A 2% salicylic acid wash that dissolves oil inside pores while it cleans.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
The INKEY List
Minimalist
Adds: Olefin sulfonate and glucoside surfactants; Centella, panthenol, bisabolol and allantoin
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split Active Clarity Gel Cleanser into 4 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
The pore-clearing active. In a cleanser it is on the skin only briefly, so results come from daily use.
A foaming base that carries the acid and removes oil.
Light surface exfoliation on top of the BHA.
A soothing set to offset the acids.
Optional
64 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.
Step 3 · Buy
One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.
Your build
Running total Check price
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)Running total ~$7.36 + check price
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)The total leaves out the 1 part showing "Check price".
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
The INKEY List
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Why it is close. A 2% salicylic acid cleanser. Price and full ingredient list are not confirmed.
Minimalist
Why it is close. A wash with a published 2% combined BHA and LHA, a betaine and isethionate surfactant base, and zinc PCA. The price is not confirmed.
CeraVe
Why it is close. A salicylic acid wash with ceramides and niacinamide for $12.99. Its acid level is lower than a 2% wash and it has no glycolic or malic acid.
The INKEY List
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowThe INKEY List
Minimalist
Adds: Olefin sulfonate and glucoside surfactants; Centella, panthenol, bisabolol and allantoin
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowMinimalist
CeraVe
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowCeraVe
A cleanser with 2% salicylic acid kept barrier integrity and reduced acne lesions from week 4 in a clinical study.
Hussain 2025 · J Drugs DermatolEvidence for cleansers alone in acne is low-certainty, so a cleanser is a support step, not a treatment.
Stringer 2018 · J Dermatolog Treatactive: salicylic acid 2%; other ingredients: water (aqua), sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, methylpropanediol, glycerin, coco-glucoside, glycolic acid, polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, acacia senegal gum, malic acid, hydrolyzed jojoba esters, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, malus domestica fruit extract, centella asiatica extract, tocopheryl acetate, xylitol, panthenol, bisabolol, xylitylglucoside, sodium cocoyl apple amino acids, allantoin, anhydroxylitol, xanthan, gum, phenoxyethanol, decyl glucoside, propanediol, caprylyl/capryl glucoside, caprylic acid, diisopropyl adipate, sodium citrate, sodium hydroxide, ethylhexylglycerin, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, triethyl citrate, citric acid
We split Active Clarity Gel Cleanser into 4 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 64 of a possible 100. A full 100 needs every standout fully covered.
The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser by The INKEY List is our closest single-product match at 55 out of 100 (5 fl oz). It shares salicylic acid 2%, zinc PCA.
Active Clarity Gel Cleanser costs $38 for 6 oz. The closest dupe has no price we could confirm (see the seller page). Prices change, so check the seller page.
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Glycolic acid, Malic acid, Centella. See our methodology for how we score.
SkinBetter Science · serum
~$47.68our build, 4 partsOriginal $145, build ~$47.68.
Differin + The Ordinary + Minimalist
Obagi · toner
~$34our build, 1 partOriginal $50, build ~$34.
Paula's Choice
Face Reality · mask
$39our build, 1 partOriginal $42, build $39.
Geologie