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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment versus Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment .

Published on February 07, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

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.

Facial Treatment British Brand United Kingdom
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Succinic Acid Acne Treatment

Starts at $9.99
Shop

Buy Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment

Starts at $21.00

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 (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
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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 Succinic Acid Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 1.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 5.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 9.

3
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

The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.

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 Succinic Acid Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 11.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 12.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 16.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 25.

6
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium 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 Hydroxide

The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 17.

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 15.

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

41% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment 22 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 6 reviews
Daisyfrd's Avatar'
Jul 27, 2023

The only product that has made a significant difference within 24 hours, decreases redness and texture quickly

The only product that has made a significant difference within 24 hours, decreases redness and texture quickly

Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment 26 ingredients

Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 21 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 15 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment.

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