Medicube TXA Niacinamide Serum vs The Inkey List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum for Redness Relief

Medicube

The Inkey List

A serum built around Niacinamide and Tranexamic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

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

Serum

39 ingredients

17 ingredients

Brand price

USD 26.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

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

No retailer listed yet

Brand from South Korea

Brand country not recorded

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Alpha arbutin1
A gentler glycosylated relative of hydroquinone.
Arbutin
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Hyaluronic acid4
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
Niacinamide1
Vitamin B3 — supports the barrier and evens tone.
Niacinamide

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 Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
C12-14 Alketh-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Rosa Centifolia Flower Oil
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Rosa Centifolia Flower Oil
May Worsen Rosacea1
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Rosa Centifolia Flower 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:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Tranexamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
- Tranexamic acid
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
Arbutin
Antioxidant
- Alpha arbutin
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
Solvent
Chlorphenesin
Preservative
0 / —
C12-14 Alketh-12
Emulsifying
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ethylhexylglycerin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
- Azelaic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
0 / —
Acacia Senegal Gum
Fragrance
Xanthan Gum (in both products)
Cleansing
0-1 / —
Allantoin
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 →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →