The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment Versus innisfree Bija Salicylic Spot Serum

The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment Versus innisfree Bija Salicylic Spot Serum

This acne treatment is formulated around Colloidal Sulfur and Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.

This acne serum is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Glyceryl Stearate Se

Stearic Acid

Cetearyl Alcohol

Colloidal Sulfur

Glycerin

Succinic Acid

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Salicylic Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Squalane

Benzyl Alcohol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Polysorbate 60

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium Hydroxide

Dehydroacetic Acid

Malachite Extract

Sorbitan Isostearate

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

CI 75810

Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Colloidal Sulfur, Glycerin, Succinic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Malachite Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, CI 75810

Butylene Glycol

Alcohol Denat.

Dipropylene Glycol

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

1,2-Hexanediol

Torreya Nucifera Seed Oil

Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate

Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Silica

Propanediol

Tromethamine

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Sodium Metaphosphate

Glyceryl Caprylate

Xanthan Gum

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

Dextrin

Theobroma Cacao Extract

Limonene

Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil

Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil

Juniperus Virginiana Oil

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Citrus Aurantifolia Oil

Linalool

Citrus Limon Peel Oil

Artemisia Vulgaris Oil

Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil

Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Dipropylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Torreya Nucifera Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Silica, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Tromethamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Limonene, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Linalool, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.

It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.

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.

Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.

As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.

In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.

Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.

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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