ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads vs Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm
ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads scores 8.5/9.8 vs Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm at 7.2/9.8. ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads wins for active ingredients.
Head to head
Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads
CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm
Score comparison
ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads takes this one, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
TIEIrritation Risk
Mary & May WINSActive Ingredient Strength
ALPYN WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
ALPYN WINSIngredient face-off
10% overlapOnly in ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads
37 unique
Shared ingredients
4 in common
Only in Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm
19 unique
Why ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads comes out ahead
Where ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 6.0 compared to Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm's 4.9. Its formula features Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, and Lactic Acid in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Formulation Safety is another area of separation. ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads scores 8.9 here versus 8.0 for Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads brings Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, and Lactic Acid as actives, while mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm relies on Tocopheryl Acetate, Centella Asiatica Extract, and Madecassoside. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Value comparison
At mid-range pricing with a score of 8.5, ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads delivers strong value. Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm sits at the budget level with a 7.2 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
Our verdict
ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads wins this comparison with a meaningfully stronger ingredient profile and overall score.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads or Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm?
Based on ingredient analysis, ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads and Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm share ingredients?
Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.
What's the main difference between ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads and Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.