Side-by-side comparison

The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum vs The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum

Both serums contain Hyaluronic Acid, but only Niacinamide Serum adds a targeted active: Niacinamide. That's the main thing to weigh.

1Shared hero active
The Inkey List
Niacinamide Serum
SerumBudgetMorning or evening
OilinessCongestionDark Spots

A 10% niacinamide serum with added hyaluronic acid for oil control and blemish support. A clean, affordable single-active option; broadly comparable to other 10% niacinamide serums with a slightly more hydrating base.

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The Inkey List
Polyglutamic Acid Serum
SerumBudgetMorning or evening
DehydrationDullnessDryness

A hydration serum using polyglutamic acid, which holds even more water than hyaluronic acid, layered with HA. A lightweight, plumping hydrator that works well over or under HA; an affordable way to trial the ingredient.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

Niacinamide Serum goes further with Niacinamide, which Polyglutamic Acid Serum doesn't have. If you only need Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid Serum covers it; if you want Niacinamide as well, choose Niacinamide Serum. Niacinamide Serum is the better fit for oiliness, congestion and dark spots; Polyglutamic Acid Serum for dehydration, dullness and dryness. Both sit in the Budget price tier.

The overlap

What they share

This hero active appears in both formulas:

Hyaluronic Acid
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

Niacinamide Serum — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Niacinamide~5–25%
  • Glycerin~3–10%
  • Sodium Hyaluron…~2–6%
  • Pentylene Glycol~1.5–4%

Polyglutamic Acid Serum — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Glycerin~5–25%
  • Polyglutamic Ac…~3–10%
  • Sodium Hyaluron…~2–6%
  • Propanediol~1.5–4%
  • Panthenol~1–2%

● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

At a glance

The specs

Niacinamide SerumPolyglutamic Acid Serum
CategorySerumSerum
Price tierBudgetBudget
Best forOiliness, Congestion, Dark SpotsDehydration, Dullness, Dryness
Usage notesMorning or eveningMorning or evening
Shared hero activesHyaluronic Acid
Questions

Common questions

Is The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum or The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum better?
It depends on whether you want Niacinamide. Niacinamide Serum has it; Polyglutamic Acid Serum doesn't. Otherwise both rely on Hyaluronic Acid.
What's the difference between The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum and The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum?
Niacinamide Serum's hero actives are Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid. Polyglutamic Acid Serum's are Polyglutamic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid.
Are The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum and The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum dupes for each other?
Only partly. They share Hyaluronic Acid, but Niacinamide Serum's Niacinamide has no counterpart in Polyglutamic Acid Serum.
Can I use The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum and The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum together?
Usually, yes. Apply the thinner texture first, then the thicker one, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
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