The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% versus The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser Europe. This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores. This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores. No concerns Water Niacinamide 10% Pentylene Glycol Zinc PCA 1% Dimethyl Isosorbide Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum Xanthan Gum Isoceteth-20 Ethoxydiglycol Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin Water, Niacinamide 10%, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA 1%, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin Propanediol Glycerin Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate Cocamidopropyl Betaine PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate Salicylic Acid PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Betaine Zinc PCA Sodium Chloride Allantoin Sodium Hydroxide Coco-Glucoside Glyceryl Oleate Benzyl Alcohol Coconut Acid Ethylhexylglycerin Sodium Benzoate Citric Acid Dehydroacetic Acid Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Tocopherol Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Salicylic Acid, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Betaine, Zinc PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Benzyl Alcohol, Coconut Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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. 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! Zinc PCA is a clever two-in-one molecule: the zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA). Think of it as two useful things bonded together; the PCA half is one of your skin's own natural moisturizing factors (NMF) so it helps hold water in the upper layers. On the other hand, the zinc half does the heavy lifting on oil and bacteria. The zinc part slows down an enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT, the hormone that tells your oil glands to pump out more sebum. Less of that signal means less oil. It also gently fights acne-causing bacteria and soothes redness/irritation. This is why Zinc PCA often shows up in products for oily, breakout-prone skin and greasy scalps. One lab study also hinted it might have a small anti-aging perk because it seemed to protect collagen from UVA damage and even helped the skin make a bit more of it. That last bit is still early research done in a dish and not real skin, so take it as a nice bonus rather than a promise for now. As for scar healing, the picture is more "maybe" than a firm yes. Zinc itself plays