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The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum for sensitive skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum

Average

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for sensitive skin; other products fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate exfoliation for redness and irritation due to salicylic acid, which is beneficial for normal skin by supporting healthy skin turnover and acid mantle support.
  • The presence of sodium hydroxide aids in pH modulation, further enhancing the product's suitability for your skin type.
  • The product is safe for your sensitive skin as it lacks prohibited or harsh ingredients, minimizing the risk of irritation.

How to apply

  • Use your exfoliant PM once a week to help with redness and irritation. Start slowly and only increase frequency if your skin feels happy and comfortable.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner , but always before your moisturizer . This ensures the product absorbs properly into the skin.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing . Let it absorb for a minute before moving on.
  • Since your skin is sensitive , apply the exfoliant on completely dry skin for the best tolerance. This helps prevent any extra stinging or discomfort.
  • Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area .

People Say

★4.2Overall rating based on 3.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly effective for oily and combination skin, frequently praised for clearing pores, reducing blackheads, and calming breakouts without irritation. Most users find the formula gentle and hydrating, though a moderate number of reviews mention a sticky residue and a high number of users express dissatisfaction with the packaging.

Highlights

  • Clears congested pores Mostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps pores feeling decongested”
    • “Helped minimise stubborn blackheads”
    • “Unclogs pores effectively”
  • Gentle on skin Often Mentioned
    • “Exfoliates gently without irritating”
    • “Non-irritating yet effective”
    • “Doesn't shock skin barrier”
  • Reduces active acne Often Mentioned
    • “Acne has reduced dramatically”
    • “Free of active acne”
    • “Calms breakout-prone skin”
  • Poor packaging Often Mentioned
    • “Bottle is tiny”
    • “Hard to dispense right amount”
    • “Squeeze bottle is frustrating”
  • Great value Sometimes Noted
    • “Unbeatable price”
    • “Budget skincare essential”
    • “Affordable and effective”
  • Sticky texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Very sticky feeling”
    • “Hate when face sticks to pillow”
    • “Leaves a sticky feeling”
  • Mixed effectiveness Rarely Noted
    • “Did nothing for sebaceous filaments”
    • “Didn't see much progress”
    • “Skin didn't like it”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, skinsort.com, theinkeylist.com, influenster.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum work for sensitive skin?

The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum works for sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because they include potent antioxidants, hydrating components, and skin-repairing ingredients like niacinamide.

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?

Salicylic acid makes this serum a good fit for sensitive skin by offering moderate exfoliation that helps calm redness and irritation. Propylene glycol and sodium hydroxide are also included to support balanced skin and safe formulation. To fit sensitive skin even better, an exfoliant of this type needs soothing antioxidants, extra hydrating components, and skin-repairing ingredients like niacinamide or snail secretion filtrate.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

What does Salicylic Acid do for sensitive skin?

Salicylic acid may cause irritation on sensitive skin, so it requires careful use and good sun protection to keep skin comfortable. A product for this skin type needs gentle, soothing ingredients and a mild formula that respects the skin barrier.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999International Journal of Toxicology, 2003

What does Water do for sensitive skin?

Using cool water for facial cleansing preserves skin barrier integrity and lowers skin surface pH in healthy adults. This helps keep skin calm and hydrated without causing the irritation associated with warmer water.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

This serum goes in your evening routine, starting at once a week to help your skin adjust safely. Sensitive skin needs gentle hydrating ingredients and soothing formulas that calm redness without harsh exfoliants.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying them on alternate nights rather than together, as combining them may cause dryness and irritation on sensitive skin. Sensitive skin needs gentle hydrating ingredients and soothing plant extracts to keep the skin calm and comfortable.

How often should I use this serum?

Start using this serum just once a week in the evening, and only increase the frequency if your skin handles it well without irritation. Sensitive skin needs gentle exfoliating treatments that clear pores and calm redness while keeping the skin barrier protected and hydrated.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on sensitive skin because it lacks harsh or prohibited ingredients that trigger irritation. However, because it is only an average fit for your skin, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients like licochalcone A and gentle hydrators to keep sensitive skin calm and clear.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

  • A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.

    BioMed Research International, 2020

  • Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.

    CMAJ, 2010

  • Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010

  • Treatment with a combination of propylene glycol, ethanol, water, and shampoo was found effective, easy to use, and cosmetically attractive with no observed side effects in patients with dandruff.

    Cutis, 1988

  • A moisturizer containing glycerol and propylene glycol reduced transepidermal water loss, decreased epidermal thickness, increased stratum corneum thickness, and reduced dermal inflammatory infiltrate compared to untreated disrupted skin in six healthy beagle dogs.

    Veterinary Dermatology, 2020

Ingredients

Water, Salicylic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
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