Gracie

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum vs The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid 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

✶
Glow Recipe

Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum

exfoliantmid-range
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
Glow Recipe wins 1
Tied 3
The INKEY List wins 1
8.7Glow Recipe
vs
8.8The INKEY List

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

The INKEY List WINS
6.8
7.5
Glow Recipe
The INKEY List

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Glow Recipe
The INKEY List

Active Ingredient Strength

Glow Recipe WINS
7.6
5.3
Glow Recipe
The INKEY List

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Glow Recipe
The INKEY List

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
Glow Recipe
The 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 6.8 for Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid 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 glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum relies on Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, and Mandelic Acid. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract does the heavy lifting
  • 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

Both sit in the mid-range bracket, so value comes down to formulation quality. The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid gets the nod here with its 8.8 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.

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.

✶
8.7Glow Recipe
vs
8.8The INKEY List

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid 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 Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid 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 Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid 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.