Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Exfoliation
- Anti-blemish
- Moisturizing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: low
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Product Summary
"The INKEY List CA - Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum" is effective for: Exfoliation and Anti-blemish
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Salicylic acid (1.10% - 1.70%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (biosaccharide gum-1 0.05% - 0.20%, zinc pca 1.60% - 2.40%, sodium hyaluronate 2.00% - 2.90% and betaine 3.40% - 5.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "The INKEY List CA" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 15.00CA$ in Canada, for 10.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 11.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
They are oil soluble, which means they work deeper in your pores, helping to target blackheads and reduce the bacteria that can lead to breakouts.
Source: The Inkey list
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are chemical exfoliators.
Source: The Inkey list
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum
Source: From product name
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, biosaccharide gum-1.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Water-soluble, they work on the surface of the skin, encouraging cell turnover to reveal a brighter, more even complexion.
Source: The Inkey list
This product might help improve the skin tone through exfoliation. In other words, it helps to speed up the shedding of cells from the upper layer of the skin, and this might help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Exfoliation | |
| Anti-blemish | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 81/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (0)
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 The INKEY List CA Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum | Current | $10.00 | |
 PSA Skin Liquid Clarity BHA and Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster | 90% | $28.00 | |
 psa LIQUID CLARITY BHA & Bakuchiol Blemish Recovery Booster | 90% | $28.00 | |
 TOUN28 AHA + BHA + PHA Serum | 87% | $39.04 | |
Honest Beauty In The Clear Acne Serum | 87% | - | |
 Selfless by Hyram Mandelic Acid & Rice Bran Gentle Exfoliating Serum | 87% | $22.00 |
Key Actives
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
Potential irritants
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Used to improve stability of the formulation
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
Used to improve stability of the formulation
Ingredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Betaine, Salicylic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, Zinc pca, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Maltodextrin, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biosaccharide gum-1, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations
- Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Study
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Zinc L-pyrrolidone carboxylate inhibits the UVA-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 by in vitro cultured skin fibroblasts, whereas it enhances their collagen synthesis
- Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review