Boots Ingredients Alpha Hydroxy Acid Serum Versus The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum
Updated on May 03, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Boots Ingredients Alpha Hydroxy Acid Serum 17 ingredients
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum 13 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Boots Ingredients Alpha Hydroxy Acid Serum 17 ingredients
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum 13 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Acetate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Water, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Boots Ingredients Alpha Hydroxy Acid Serum 17 ingredients
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum 13 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Boots Ingredients Alpha Hydroxy Acid Serum 17 ingredients
The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum 13 ingredients
Game changer. This stuff is amazing for fungal acne, other BHA acids were too harsh for my sensitive skin and didn’t improve any of my concerns, but this stuff is strong and non irritating. Didn't give me any new breakouts just surfaced all of my pre-existing acne. Turned all my FA into white heads in a matter of weeks. This with the ordinary 5% lactic acid serum is completely reviving the texture Show more
Very good for acne
Saw an immediate overnight change in my inflammation overnight after using for the first time, haven't had any inflammatory whiteheads since I finished purging (which lasted 2 weeks) and my skin is slightly less oily. However it did nothing really for my sebaceous filaments.
