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CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid 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 CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid at 8.5/9.8. The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid wins for hydration.

Head to head

CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid
CLINIQUE

Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid

serumluxury
8.5
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

The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.

2
3
CLINIQUE wins 2
Tied 3
The INKEY List wins 0
8.5CLINIQUE
+0.3vs
8.8The INKEY List

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

CLINIQUE WINS
9.8
7.5
CLINIQUE
The INKEY List

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
CLINIQUE
The INKEY List

Active Ingredient Strength

CLINIQUE WINS
7.2
5.3
CLINIQUE
The INKEY List

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
CLINIQUE
The INKEY List

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
CLINIQUE
The INKEY List

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 hydration efficacy, scoring 7.5 compared to CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid's 9.8. With Glycerin, Propanediol, and Panthenol in its top ingredients, The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.

Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid scores 7.2 here versus 5.3 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 cLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid relies on Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, and Hypnea Musciformis (Algae) Extract. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Butylene Glycol
  • Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Ascorbyl Glucoside 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

At luxury pricing with a score of 8.5, CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid 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
+0.3 lead

The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid is still a solid pick.

8.5CLINIQUE
vs
8.8The INKEY List

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid 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 CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid 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 CLINIQUE Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Serum with 1% Retinoid 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.