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How we build Refining Foam Cleanser

The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.

Refining Foam Cleanser

The original · SkinBetter Science

Refining Foam Cleanser

~$48 Price not confirmed · 5 fl oz / 148 ml

A foaming wash built on gentle glutamate and polyglyceryl surfactants with a small AHA/BHA blend (glycolic, lactic, malic, salicylic) plus zinc and copper gluconate.

Official product page (opens in new tab)

Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.

Step 2 · The build

Our build 3 parts

Oil-control cleanse

  • Illustration of CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

    CeraVe

    CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

    cleanser

    AGlycolic, lactic and malic acids · 6 of 25BSalicylic acid · 15 of 20CGlutamate and polyglyceryl surfactants · 13 of 25EBeta-glucan and bisabolol · 4 of 15
    $12.99Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser

    Minimalist

    Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser

    Adds: Salicylic acid; Zinc and copper gluconate

    AGlycolic, lactic and malic acids · 6 of 25BSalicylic acid · 20CGlutamate and polyglyceryl surfactants · 13 of 25DZinc and copper gluconate · 8 of 15EBeta-glucan and bisabolol · 4 of 15
    ~$7.36Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

    The Ordinary

    The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

    Adds: Glycolic, lactic and malic acids

    AGlycolic, lactic and malic acids · 19 of 25
    $9Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.

The 100 points

What stands out 100 pts

We split Refining Foam Cleanser into 5 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.

Optional

Get closer score under 80

64 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.

96 is our ceiling. Copper gluconate has no common retail match; zinc PCA gives partial credit.

Step 3 · Buy

Buy the build

One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.

Skincare SuppliesOct 28, 2026

Your build

  1. 01CeraVeCeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser$12.99

    Running total $12.99

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  2. 02MinimalistMinimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser~$7.36

    Running total ~$20.35

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  3. 03The OrdinaryThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner$9

    Running total ~$29.35

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
Build total~$29.35
The splurge~$48
Match64/100
You keep~$18.65

Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.

How to use

  1. PM use, follow with a light moisturizer.
  2. Add Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser: Wash-off cleanser with a published 2% BHA+LHA total, a betaine/isethionate surfactant base and zinc PCA, at a fraction of the price.
  3. Add The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner: Fills the glycolic acid gap; leave-on, use on alternate nights.

Other single-product swaps

One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.

budget Closest we found

Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser

Minimalist

Match score 51 out of 100

No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.

~$7.36 Price not confirmed · 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • salicylic acid
  • capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA, 2% combined BHA)
  • zinc PCA
  • cocamidopropyl betaine
  • lactic acid (trace)

Misses

  • glycolic/malic acid
  • bisabolol
  • olefin sulfonate surfactant

Why it is close. Wash-off cleanser with a published 2% BHA+LHA total, a betaine/isethionate surfactant base and zinc PCA, at a fraction of the price.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Advanced Clinicals Exfoliating Face Wash

Advanced Clinicals

Match score 40 out of 100
$19.99 · 11.75 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • glycolic acid
  • lactic acid
  • salicylic acid

Misses

  • malic acid
  • oxygen infusion
  • full INCI not on page

Why it is close. Same three-acid concept in a larger bottle; listed at $19.99 at Target and about $15.99 on Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

CeraVe

Match score 38 out of 100
$12.99 · 8 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • salicylic acid
  • niacinamide
  • ceramides
  • gluconolactone

Misses

  • glycolic acid
  • malic acid
  • oxygen-infusion

Why it is close. Salicylic exfoliating wash with ceramides; milder acid package than Oxygen Infusion Wash.

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Minimalist Alpha Lipoic + Glycolic 7% Face Cleanser

Minimalist

Match score 36 out of 100
~$9.99 Price not confirmed · 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • glycolic acid (INCI #5, with alpha lipoic acid 7% combined)
  • cocamidopropyl betaine
  • sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate
  • lactic acid (trace)
  • panthenol
  • allantoin

Misses

  • salicylic acid
  • bisabolol
  • zinc/copper

Why it is close. Glycolic-based wash-off cleanser (7% with alpha lipoic) that fills the AHA side with the same betaine surfactant; no BHA.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

The INKEY List

Match score 34 out of 100
Check price on Amazon · 5 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • salicylic acid 2%
  • zinc PCA

Misses

  • glycolic acid
  • lactic acid
  • malic acid

Why it is close. Single-acid BHA cleanser; price and ingredient list not confirmed.

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

CeraVe

Match score 17 out of 100
$16.19 · 16 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • ceramides
  • hyaluronic acid
  • glycerin
  • gentle surfactants

Misses

  • acids

Why it is close. Non-foaming gentle cleanser for the barrier-focused role of Cleansing Gel.

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

What the science says

Full ingredient list

Show the INCI list

Aqua, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Ethoxydiglycol, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Malic Acid, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Beta-Glucan, Algin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ethyl Macadamiate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Decylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid

Source

Questions

What does the 64/100 score for our Refining Foam Cleanser build mean?

We split Refining Foam Cleanser into 5 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 64 of a possible 96. 96 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.

What is the best dupe for Refining Foam Cleanser?

Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser by Minimalist is our closest single-product match at 51 out of 100 for ~$7.36 (100 ml / 3.4 fl oz). It shares salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA, 2% combined BHA), zinc PCA, cocamidopropyl betaine, lactic acid (trace).

How much can I save on Refining Foam Cleanser?

Refining Foam Cleanser costs ~$48 for 5 fl oz / 148 ml. The closest dupe costs ~$7.36, a saving of about $40.64. Prices change, so check the seller page.

Is Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser exactly the same as Refining Foam Cleanser?

No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: glycolic/malic acid, bisabolol, olefin sulfonate surfactant. See our methodology for how we score.

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