Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum vs The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum scores 8.8/9.8 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

Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum

360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.0 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Summer Fridays WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Summer Fridays WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
12% overlapOnly in Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum
30 unique
Only in The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
23 unique
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. Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum scores 7.9 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.
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum brings Retinyl Linoleate, Retinol, and Centella Asiatica Extract 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
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 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
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 premium pricing with a score of 8.8, Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 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 extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
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.


Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum or The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid?
Based on ingredient analysis, Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal 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 Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal 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.