Gracie

medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum vs The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid

medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum scores 8.6/9.8 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

medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum
medicube

Deep Vita A Retinol Serum

serum
8.6
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 0.2 points apart.

3
2
medicube wins 3
Tied 2
The INKEY List wins 0
8.6medicube
vs
8.8The INKEY List

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

medicube WINS
9.8
7.5
medicube
The INKEY List

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
medicube
The INKEY List

Active Ingredient Strength

medicube WINS
6.7
5.3
medicube
The INKEY List

Ingredient Transparency

medicube WINS
8.8
8.5
medicube
The INKEY List

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
medicube
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.

Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum scores 6.7 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 medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum relies on Niacinamide, Allantoin, and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Dipropylene Glycol
  • 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

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

✶ 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.

8.6medicube
vs
8.8The INKEY List

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: medicube Deep Vita A Retinol 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 medicube Deep Vita A Retinol 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 medicube Deep Vita A Retinol 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.