Over the past two years The Inkey List has helped introduce consumers to new and hard-to-pronounce ingredients like tranexamic and polyglutamic acids. And in 2021, they wasted no time bringing us something fresh and exciting with the launch of The Inkey List Succinic Acid Blemish Treatment (£7) in the first week of January.
Similar to many science-y skin-care ingredients, succinic acid has been used in medical circles for years, according to The Inkey List Cofounder Mark Curry. "We predict we will start to see this ingredient more and more within the beauty industry, the same way tranexamic acid appeared onto the scene. It's naturally found in amber, where it's antimicrobial properties have been used for centuries in therapeutics, however recently, studies have shone a light on its amazing properties — e.g., skin reconditioning and antioxidant properties — that could make this an ingredient generalist, right up there with the likes of retinol and vitamin C."
The new treatment contains 2 percent of succinic acid, which Curry explained helps "soothe the irritation and sources of acne on all fronts", whilst simultaneously reconditioning the skin. The little tube also contains salicylic acid and sulphur, two well-known spot zappers — the former by helping to clear out clogged pores and the latter by sopping up excess oil.