Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum Versus The INKEY List Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum Versus The INKEY List Niacinamide Oil Control Serum Detailed comparison of COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum versus The INKEY List Niacinamide Oil Control Serum. This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Acetyl Glu

This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.

COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum Versus The INKEY List Niacinamide Oil Control Serum Detailed comparison of COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum versus The INKEY List Niacinamide Oil Control Serum. This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Acetyl Glucosamine to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores. This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores. No concerns Water Pentylene Glycol Niacinamide 15% Butylene Glycol Acetyl Glucosamine 1,2-Hexanediol Zinc PCA Trehalose Xanthan Gum Pullulan Allantoin Ethylhexylglycerin Sodium Phytate Citric Acid Tocopherol Water, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide 15%, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zinc PCA, Trehalose, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol Niacinamide Glycerin Propanediol Phenoxyethanol Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Hydroxyethylcellulose Phospholipids Squalane Glycine Soja Oil Polysorbate 60 Panthenol Glycolipids Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate Sorbitan Isostearate Glycine Soja Sterols Hyaluronic Acid Disodium Phosphate Sodium Phosphate Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phospholipids, Squalane, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Glycolipids, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Citric Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics. Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity. Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation. It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh. Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated. This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%. Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating. Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism. Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons: Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients. Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential t