All scans / Serums / The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum ingredients: is it worth it?
A genuinely useful, no-frills acne serum—not a miracle pore eraser.
A genuinely useful, no-frills acne serum—not a miracle pore eraser.
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The 2% salicylic acid is the formula’s real efficacy driver and is an evidence-backed concentration for unclogging pores and treating acne; the presence of sodium hydroxide suggests pH adjustment, but the published product information does not disclose the final pH, so optimal BHA activity cannot be confirmed. Humectants and 1% hyaluronic acid support hydration, while Zinc PCA may modestly support oil control, but the formula contains no retinoid, azelaic acid, or other strong complementary treatment active. The result is a solid but not clinically optimal formula: effective for acne and congestion when used consistently, with efficacy limited by the single-primary-active design and unknown pH.
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DemythSkin rates The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum 4.0/5 for efficacy and 4.5/5 for safety.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BY TIER
Gold Standards
High clinical proof | Skin-transformativeReliable
Proven resultsPotent
Developing evidenceOverhyped | Marketing
Hype | Limited dataDocumented Irritants
Evidence-backed flagFORMULATION BASE (6)⌄
FULL INGREDIENT LIST⌄
Water (Aqua / Eau), Propanediol, Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate. FAQs WHEN SHOULD I USE BHA SERUM
WHAT EACH INGREDIENT DOES (13)⌄
- Water (Aqua / Eau)
- Solvent and formula base
- Propanediol
- Humectant and solvent
- Betaine
- Humectant and skin conditioner
- Salicylic Acid
- Oil-soluble exfoliant and acne treatment
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Water-binding humectant
- Zinc PCA
- Sebum-control skin conditioner
- Phenoxyethanol
- Preservative
- Hydroxyethylcellulose
- Viscosity-building thickener
- Maltodextrin
- Texture and formulation stabilizer
- Sodium Hydroxide
- pH adjuster
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Preservative booster and conditioner
- Biosaccharide Gum-1
- Film-forming skin conditioner
- Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate. FAQs WHEN SHOULD I USE BHA SERUM
- Chelating formulation stabilizer
EXTERNAL CITATIONS
Salicylic Acid: The official product page identifies 2% salicylic acid as the acne-treatment and pore-clearing active.
Sodium Hyaluronate: The official product page identifies 1% hyaluronic acid as the hydrating component.
Zinc PCA: Retail product information identifies the zinc compound as supporting oil control.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ANALYSIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. AI-GENERATED DATA BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INGREDIENT LISTS. VERIFY WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
A cheaper serum with a similar formula
A partial ingredient match (31%), not a close dupe.
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum: common questions
Is The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum worth it?
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum scores 4.0 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Effective) and 4.5 out of 5.0 for safety (Very Gentle) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. A genuinely useful, no-frills acne serum—not a miracle pore eraser.
What are the key active ingredients in The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum?
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Salicylic Acid.
Does The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum contain fragrance or known irritants?
DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum. It scores 4.5 out of 5.0 for safety.
How is The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum scored?
DemythSkin grades every product on two independent scores: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are graded S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. Brand and price are not part of the score, and no brand pays for one.
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