cerave Moisturizing Lotion vs The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid scores 8.8/9.8 vs cerave Moisturizing Lotion at 8.4/9.8. The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid wins for active ingredients.
Head to head

360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
Score comparison
The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
cerave WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
cerave WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
15% overlapOnly in cerave Moisturizing Lotion
28 unique
Only in The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
22 unique
Why The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid comes out ahead
Where The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 5.3 compared to cerave Moisturizing Lotion's 7.2. Its formula features Salicylic Acid, Zinc Pca, and Lactic Acid in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. cerave Moisturizing Lotion scores 9.3 here versus 7.5 for The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid. 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 cerave Moisturizing Lotion relies on Niacinamide, Allantoin, and Ceramide Np. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
cerave Moisturizing Lotion is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Sodium Pca
- Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Niacinamide does the heavy lifting
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
The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid comes in at mid-range pricing with a 8.8 score, which is solid value at that tier.
Our verdict
The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but cerave Moisturizing Lotion is still a solid pick.


Frequently asked questions
Which is better: cerave Moisturizing Lotion 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 cerave Moisturizing Lotion 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 cerave Moisturizing Lotion 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.
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