Act+Acre Salicylic Acid Scalp Exfoliator Versus The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

Act+Acre Salicylic Acid Scalp Exfoliator Versus The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Methyl Gluceth-20

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Betaine

Propanediol

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Glycerin

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Alanine

Arginine

Aspartic Acid

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2

Butylene Glycol

Caprylyl Glycol

Carbomer

Carica Papaya Fruit Extract

Cellulose

Citric Acid

Dextran

Dipropylene Glycol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Glycine

Helianthus Annuus Extract

Histidine

Hydrolyzed Corn Protein

Hydroxypropylcellulose

Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract

Isoleucine

Mentha Piperita Oil

Menthol

Menthyl Lactate

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Panthenyl Triacetate

PCA

Phenoxyethanol

Phenylalanine

Proline

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Salicylic Acid

Serine

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Lactate

Sodium PCA

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Threonine

Tocopherol

Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract

Valine

Water, Methyl Gluceth-20, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Betaine, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Cellulose, Citric Acid, Dextran, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Histidine, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Isoleucine, Mentha Piperita Oil, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Panthenyl Triacetate, PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylalanine, Proline, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Serine, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Threonine, Tocopherol, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Valine

Panthenol

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Polyquaternium-37

Hexylene Glycol

Capryloyl Glycine

Citronellyl Methylcrotonate

Xylitylglucoside

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Water, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Betaine, Panthenol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-37, Hexylene Glycol, Capryloyl Glycine, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xylitylglucoside, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.

Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.

Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.

Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.

Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.

Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:

The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.

Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.

Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.

Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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