Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum Versus The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum versus The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser .

Last updated on November 29, 2023. Published on July 07, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and reducing pores

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

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Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Serum French Brand France

Face Cleanser British Brand United Kingdom

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

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Buy Targeted Dark Spots Serum

Starts at $20.00

Shop

Buy Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Starts at $13.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum 16 ingredients

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum 16 ingredients

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation

Reduces Large Pores

Dark Spots

Acne Fighting

Brightening (2)

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation (2)

Reduces Large Pores

Scar Healing (3)

Acne Fighting (2)

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (3)

May Worsen Oily Skin

Acne Trigger

Irritating (2)

Rosacea (3)

Eczema (3)

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum 16 ingredients

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients

Water • Propanediol • Niacinamide • Pentylene Glycol • Glycerin • Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment • Maltodextrin • Sodium Polyacrylate • Saccharide Isomerate • Papain • Sodium Benzoate • Sodium Phytate • Xanthan Gum • Potassium Sorbate • Citric Acid • Sodium Citrate

Propanediol • Glycerin • Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate • Cocamidopropyl Betaine • Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate • Salicylic Acid • Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate • Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides • Betaine • Zinc PCA • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Chloride • Allantoin • Sodium Hydroxide • Coco-Glucoside • Glyceryl Oleate • Benzyl Alcohol • Coconut Acid • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sodium Benzoate • Citric Acid • Dehydroacetic Acid • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Tocopherol • Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Propanediol

What it does: Solvent

Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.

Sodium Benzoate

What it does: Masking, Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 20.

Citric Acid

What it does: Buffering, Masking

Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 21.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum 16 ingredients

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients

56% are loved or liked

19% have mixed ratings

25% are disliked or very disliked

0% have no rating yet

36% are loved or liked

8% have mixed ratings

56% are disliked or very disliked

0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum 16 ingredients

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Sephora Collection Targeted Dark Spots Serum 16 ingredients

Targeted Dark Spots Serum hasn't been rated yet.

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The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 25 ingredients

3.9 /5

from 7 ratings

Great Value (2) No Scent (2) Works Well (2)

gemmajaws

2 years ago · Dry Skin

Review

Great option to keep skin clear
Very gentle, lightly foaming cleanser, love the short squeezable bottle with flip top cap, perfect for keeping in...

Great option to keep skin clear
Very gentle, lightly foaming cleanser, love the short squeezable bottle with flip top cap, perfect for keeping in the shower. Effective but not stripping on the skin like some other SA cleansers I’ve tried. Free from pore clogging ingredients, this has become one of my all time favorite cleansers. For background, I have dry skin that is also prone to dehydration and is sensitive with a fair amount of surface redness on it so I only use this once per week. It’s not often I can use a foaming cleanser without it drying my skin and leaving it tight and itchy but this one is wonderful.