Gracie

Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum vs The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid

Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum scores 8.7/9.8 and The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid scores 8.8/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum
Augustinus Bader

The Vitamin C Serum

serumluxury
8.7
VS
The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
The INKEY List

360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid

serummid-range
8.8

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.1 points apart.

1
3
1
Augustinus Bader wins 1
Tied 3
The INKEY List wins 1
8.7Augustinus Bader
vs
8.8The INKEY List

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

The INKEY List WINS
6.3
7.5
Augustinus Bader
The INKEY List

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Augustinus Bader
The INKEY List

Active Ingredient Strength

Augustinus Bader WINS
6.7
5.3
Augustinus Bader
The INKEY List

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Augustinus Bader
The INKEY List

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
Augustinus Bader
The INKEY List

Ingredient face-off

15% overlap
33Augustinus Bader
5Shared
27The INKEY List

Why these two are neck and neck

These two serums take different paths to a similar destination. Both formulas include solid hydrating ingredients, and the overall scores reflect that — the gap here is genuinely slim.

Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid scores 7.5 here versus 6.3 for Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid brings Salicylic Acid, Zinc Pca, and Lactic Acid as actives, while augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum relies on Ascorbyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, and Tocopheryl Acetate. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
  • Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

Value comparison

At luxury pricing with a score of 8.7, Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum is a decent pick. The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid sits at the mid-range level with a 8.8 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.

8.7Augustinus Bader
vs
8.8The INKEY List

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum or The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid?

Based on ingredient analysis, The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum and The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid share ingredients?

Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.

What's the main difference between Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum and The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.