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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) versus Principia 2% Alfa-Arbutin 10% Gluconolactone .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on October 04, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Serum British Brand United Kingdom
Serum Brazilian Brand Brazil

Serum

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

Serum

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

Price

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Buy Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)

Starts at $10.00
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Buy 2% Alfa-Arbutin 10% Gluconolactone

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

PHA
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
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Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) contains this as ingredient number 1.

Principia 2% Alfa-Arbutin 10% Gluconolactone contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) contains this as ingredient number 2.

Principia 2% Alfa-Arbutin 10% Gluconolactone contains this as ingredient number 9.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) contains this as ingredient number 5.

Principia 2% Alfa-Arbutin 10% Gluconolactone contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) contains this as ingredient number 7.

Principia 2% Alfa-Arbutin 10% Gluconolactone contains this as ingredient number 5.

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

69% are loved or liked
23% have mixed ratings
8% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
67% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
33% 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

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) 13 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 5 reviews
CentellaAddict's Avatar'
Sep 10, 2023

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....

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.

bloss's Avatar'
Jul 14, 2023

It’s like the only product that actually seemed to do anything.

It’s like the only product that actually seemed to do anything.

Principia 2% Alfa-Arbutin 10% Gluconolactone 9 ingredients

2% Alfa-Arbutin 10% Gluconolactone hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA).

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Principia 2% Alfa-Arbutin 10% Gluconolactone.

See 50 alternatives
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