Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster vs The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster scores 9.2/9.8 vs The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid at 8.8/9.8. Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster wins for active ingredients.
Head to head
360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
Score comparison
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
TIEIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Paula's Choice WINSIngredient Transparency
Paula's Choice WINSFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
19% overlapOnly in Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
17 unique
Only in The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
22 unique
Why Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster comes out ahead
Where Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 6.7 compared to The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid's 5.3. Its formula features Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, and Ascorbyl Glucoside in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Ingredient Transparency is another area of separation. Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster scores 8.8 here versus 8.5 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.
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster brings Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, and Ascorbyl Glucoside as actives, while the INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid relies on Salicylic Acid, Zinc Pca, and Lactic Acid. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 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
- 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. Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster gets the nod here with its 9.2 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.
Our verdict
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid is still a solid pick.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster or The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid?
Based on ingredient analysis, Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 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 Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 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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