innisfree Gentle Retinol Salicylic Acne Serum vs The Inkey List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum for Redness Relief

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The Inkey List

A serum built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.

A serum built around Azelaic acid, for pollution defence and hydration.

Serum

37 ingredients

17 ingredients

Brand price

USD 34.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 20.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Ceramide1
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide NP
Vitamin E2
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Centella asiatica (Cica)3
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid
Retinoid1
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol

Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 60
Azelaic acid1
Works on acne, redness and pigmentation at once.
Azelaic Acid

Hydrating2
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, Propanediol
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Glycerin
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Azelaic Acid

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide NP, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Sorbitan Isostearate

Show highlights for:

Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Emollient
Tromethamine
Buffering
0 / —
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
- Azelaic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
Propanediol (in both products)
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (in both products)
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
0 / —
Acacia Senegal Gum
Fragrance
Xanthan Gum
Cleansing
0-1 / —
Allantoin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Reduces Irritation
- Smoothing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Ethylhexylglycerin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a copolymer of sodium hydroxyethyl acrylate and acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers
Learn more about Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer →
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan Isostearate →