The Inkey List 10% Niacinamide Serum vs Medicube Azelaic Acid 16 Calming Serum

The Inkey List

Medicube

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

A serum built around Azelaic acid and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Serum

24 ingredients

31 ingredients

Brand price

USD 13.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

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

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

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

Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 60
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Ceramide1
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide NP
Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Centella Asiatica Extract

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Squalane
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Squalane
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Panthenol
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Glycine Soja Oil, Glycolipids, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil, Squalane

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceramide NP, Lecithin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
May Worsen Oily Skin3
May increase shine or excess oil.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Squalane

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glycerin
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Propanediol (in both products)
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
0 / —
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Light Stabilizer
0-1 / —
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Squalane (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Face oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →
Squalane
Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Squalane is a face oil.
Learn more about Squalane →
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →
Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →