The Inkey List 360° Acne Clearing Serum vs Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

The Inkey List

360° Acne Clearing Serum

Paula's Choice

10% Niacinamide Booster

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

A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.

Serum

30 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

USD 18.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

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

Key Ingredients

Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)1
Zinc salts, used for sebum control and soothing.
Zinc PCA

Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Benefits

Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Dimethicone, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Zinc PCA
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetearyl Olivate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Squalane, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol, Zinc PCA
Smoothing8
Refines rough or uneven texture.
C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetearyl Olivate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Squalane

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide

Concerns

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetearyl Olivate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 20

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Cetearyl Olivate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Distarch Phosphate
Anticaking
0-1 / —
Zinc PCA
Humectant
- Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Reduces Irritation

Water
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Hyaluronate (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Reduces Irritation
- Smoothing
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating

Ingredients Explained

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 →
Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →