The Inkey List acne clearing moisturizer
The Inkey List the inkey list acne clearing moisturizer lists 31 ingredients on its label, 31 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
Ingredients overview
Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.
Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.
- Sulfur
- Aqua
- Glycerin
- Octyldodecanol
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
- Arachidyl Alcohol
- Pentaerythrityl Distearate
- Squalane
- Glyceryl Stearate SE
- Citronellyl Methylcrotonate
- Behenyl Alcohol
- Acacia Senegal Gum
- Arachidyl Glucoside
- Phenoxyethanol
- Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
- Panthenol
- Xanthan Gum
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Citric Acid
- Retinol
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Pentylene Glycol
- Sodium Metabisulfite
- Pistacia Lentiscus Gum
- Dehydroacetic Acid
- Lecithin
- Glucose
- Tocopherol
- Glyceryl Caprylate
Highlights
Free of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains animal-derivedContains EU-26 allergensContains fragranceContains alcohol
Formulation view Acne-clearing moisturizer featuring sulfur, salicylic acid precursors, and retinol for exfoliation. Light esters ensure refreshment; ascorbate derivatives boost antioxidants. Suitable for oily, acne-prone skin; sensitive types need tolerance building. Factory note: Uniform sulfur dispersion is key; polyols solubilize actives, balancing oil control and hydration.
Key ingredients
- ANTI-SEBORRHEIC
- Sulfur
- SOLVENT
- Aqua
- DENATURANT
- Glycerin
- SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
- OctyldodecanolArachidyl Alcohol
- FRAGRANCE
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- ANTIOXIDANT
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
- SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
- Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Other ingredients
SqualaneGlyceryl Stearate SECitronellyl MethylcrotonateBehenyl AlcoholAcacia Senegal GumArachidyl GlucosidePhenoxyethanolAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerPanthenolXanthan GumBenzyl AlcoholCitric AcidRetinolSodium HyaluronateEthylhexylglycerinPentylene GlycolSodium MetabisulfitePistacia Lentiscus GumDehydroacetic AcidLecithinGlucoseTocopherolGlyceryl Caprylate
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfur | ANTI-SEBORRHEIC, ANTI-SEBUM, ANTISTATIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Aqua | SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glycerin | DENATURANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN PROTECTING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Octyldodecanol | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, FRAGRANCE, SOLVENT, PERFUMING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | FRAGRANCE, SOLVENT, PERFUMING, SKIN CONDITIONING - OCCLUSIVE | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate | ANTIOXIDANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Arachidyl Alcohol | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, EMULSION STABILISING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Pentaerythrityl Distearate | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Squalane | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, HAIR CONDITIONING, REFATTING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glyceryl Stearate SE | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Citronellyl Methylcrotonate | FRAGRANCE, PERFUMING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Behenyl Alcohol | BINDING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, EMULSION STABILISING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Acacia Senegal Gum | FILM FORMING, FRAGRANCE | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Arachidyl Glucoside | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Phenoxyethanol | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/29 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer | VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Panthenol | ANTISTATIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Xanthan Gum | BINDING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, GEL FORMING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Benzyl Alcohol | PRESERVATIVE, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING · 限制 III/45 and V/34 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Citric Acid | BUFFERING, CHELATING, FRAGRANCE | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Retinol | SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS · 限制 III/376 | 3 · 0 | Yellow |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Ethylhexylglycerin | DEODORANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Pentylene Glycol | SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Metabisulfite | ANTIOXIDANT, PRESERVATIVE, REDUCING · 限制 III/99 V/9 | 3 · 0 | Yellow |
| Pistacia Lentiscus Gum | FILM FORMING, FRAGRANCE | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Dehydroacetic Acid | PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/13 | — | Yellow |
| Lecithin | ANTISTATIC, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glucose | HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Tocopherol | ANTIOXIDANT, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS, SKIN CONDITIONING - OCCLUSIVE | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glyceryl Caprylate | DEODORANT, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
Ingredients explained
- Sulfur
- Sebum-regulating and anti-seborrheic agent for acne; has distinct odor, low irritancy at standard levels but can be drying.
- Aqua
- Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical
- Glycerin
- Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives
- Octyldodecanol
- Light emollient/emulsifier at 1-5%; low comedogenic, non-greasy feel, broadly compatible, sensitive-skin friendly.
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Light occlusive and solvent at 1–10%; non-greasy feel, suitable for oily and combination skin
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
- Vitamin C derivative antioxidant at 0.5–2%; light-sensitive, requires opaque packaging
- Arachidyl Alcohol
- Waxy emulsion stabilizer and thickener, often paired with cetearyl alcohol; heavy feel, good for creams
- Pentaerythrityl Distearate
- Oil-soluble emulsifier/wax; improves cream hardness and shine, typical use 1-5%, non-ionic
- Squalane
- Emollient from plants or synthetic; light texture
- Glyceryl Stearate SE
- Emulsifier at 1–3%; oil-phase ingredient, easy emulsification, low sensitization.
- Citronellyl Methylcrotonate
- Used for floral fragrance notes; listed as one of the 26 EU allergens, must be declared in labeling.
- Behenyl Alcohol
- Fat alcohol emulsifier/thickener at 1-3%; low comedogenic risk, check solubility in strong acid/base systems, add antioxidants.
- Acacia Senegal Gum
- Natural film-former and fragrance agent; used for viscosity or film, check purity for allergens
- Arachidyl Glucoside
- Mild non-ionic emulsifier and emollient, PEG-free; co-soluble with stearoyl lactylates
- Phenoxyethanol
- Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin
- Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
- Cationic polymer providing suspension, thickening, and conditioning; often paired with anionic thickening systems, low usage, imparts slip.
- Panthenol
- Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery
- Xanthan Gum
- Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Mild preservative/solvent at 0.5-1.0%; EU allergen (labeling required), irritation risk if concentrated, avoid in infant/highly sensitive skin.
- Citric Acid
- Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pH
- Retinol
- Highly active and unstable, needs robust antioxidant encapsulation; 0.1-1.0%, pregnancy contraindicated
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel
- Pentylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin
- Sodium Metabisulfite
- Antioxidant/preservative at 0.05–0.2%; irritating for sensitive skin, avoid with oxidizers
- Pistacia Lentiscus Gum
- Frankincense resin for film formation and fragrance; natural source, high doses may sensitize
- Dehydroacetic Acid
- Broad-spectrum preservative for acidic and oil-based systems; has concentration limits, requires challenge testing.
- Lecithin
- Phospholipid emulsifier at 1-5%; biocompatible, moisturizing/antioxidant, prone to oxidation (add TBHQ), mild for sensitive skin.
- Glucose
- Low-MW humectant and buffer; high hygroscopicity requires careful preservation and humidity control.
- Tocopherol
- Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light
- Glyceryl Caprylate
- Mild emulsifier/deodorant at 0.5-2%; polyol ester, high humectancy, low irritancy, check cationic surfactant compatibility.
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-17. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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