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the best the inkey list products

What are the best The Inkey List products? This super affordable brand made its debut in the skincare world with the intention of taking over The Ordinary… and if you asked me, they got a bit too much inspiration from their main rival brand.

With their simple black and white packaging, one active per product formula, and incredibly low prices, The Inkey List looks a lot like The Ordinary. The main difference? The Inkey List has a tendency to use the odd fad ingredient and prioritise marketing over science. *sighs*

It’s still a wonderful brand for anyone on a budget. But, you need to know what to look for in a skincare product, so you can invest your pennies wisely and get only what’s proven to work. Getting it wrong may not break the bank, but why waste £10 if you don’t have to. So, what’s worth getting? Here are the best The Inkey List products for every skin type and concern:

About The Brand: The Inkey List

Founded by Colette Laxton and Mark Curry, The Inkey List is on a mission to take the complexity away from the skincare world. I’m not sure they achieved that. Like The Ordinary and other drugstore brands, The Inkey List gives you one (maximum two) active per product to deliver the promised benefits. On the one hand, The Inkey List explains exactly what each product does. On the other, with so many one product actives available, consumers are bound to be confused about which one is best for them.

This one active philosophy is what gave the brand its name. The Inkey List is a wordplay on the INCI List (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) – the long and incomprehensible list of ingredients you find at the back of skincare products. The Inkey List INCI lists are still mostly incomprehensible, but they’re must shorter, so it’s easy to identify what makes the product work.

What sets it apart from The Ordinary and similar brands is the trendy factor. The Inkey List has a tendency to use the latest IT ingredients in skincare – even when there’s not much research (apart from that provided by the manufacturer) to support their efficacy claims.

What Are The Best The Inkey List Products?

Best For Hydration: The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid (£4.99)

Moisture is the foundation of good skin. That makes Hyaluronic acid one of those ingredients that works for everyone, no matter what your skin type or concerns are. Hyaluronic Acid attracts and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water. It’s a great way to give dry skin that extra boost of moisture it badly craves and keep oily skin hydrated without adding more oil to it. The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid has a whooping 2% hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights to hydrate every layer of your skin. Result? Softer, plumper, brighter skin – even in winter!

Available at: Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and The Inkey List

Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine

the inkey list retinol

Best For Anti-Aging: The Inkey List Retinol Serum (£9.99)

If you’re serious about antiaging, you need some form of vitamin A in your skincare routine. Vitamin A is a multitasker that fights wrinkles on 3 fronts: it destroys free radicals, boosts collagen production and speeds up cellular turnover (the skin’s natural exfoliating process). The Inkey List Retinol Serum uses TWO forms of vitamin A: 1% stable, slow-release retinol + 0.5% hydroxypinacolone retinoate (a.k.a. granactive retinoid). FYI, brands will tell that granactive retinoid is more powerful than retinol. Maybe so, but for now the only studies showing this come from the manufacturer so take it with a pinch of salt. One more thing: this is NOT for newbies. If you’ve never used retinol before, start with a smaller concentration and work your way up slowly to avoid flaking, dryness and irritation.

Available at: Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and The Inkey List

Related: What Strength Of Retinol Is Right For YOU?

Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):

Best For Dark Spots: The Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum (£11.99)

If you’re dealing with melasma, dark spots, sun spots, age spots, or any form of hyperpigmentation really, you need Alpha Arbutin in your skincare routine. Derived from the leaves of the bearberry plant, Alpha Arbutin inhibits the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural colour. As your skin goes back to producing less, your dark spots slowly fade away. The light texture applies smoothly on the skin and sinks in without leaving a greasy residue behind. For best results, use it both in the morning and evening, before moisturiser.

Available at: Cult Beauty, Selfridges, Sephora and The Inkey List

Related: 9 Ingredients That Soothe Sensitive, Irritated Skin

Best For Dry Skin: The Inkey List Ceramide Serum (£15.99)

Dry skin lacks both oil and water. The lipid barrier that keeps moisture in and irritants out is broken down in pieces, so that moisture evaporates out. Result? Dry, rough, and dull skin. The Inkey List Ceramide Serum contains a big dollop of Hyaluronic Acid to deliver a waterfall of moisture to your skin, plus ceramides and cholesterol, natural components of your skin’s protective barrier. Together with jojoba oil, they patch up any holes in your barrier, so that the extra moisture hyaluronic acid brings in can actually stay in your skin and heal the dryness. Rich and emollient, it makes dry skin soft, plump, and dewy again.

Available at: Cult Beauty, Selfridges, Sephora, and The Inkey List

Best For… Everything: The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum (£9.99)

Niacinamide is one of my fave skincare ingredients because it does everything. It hydrates skin, soothes irritations, treats acne, fights wrinkles, and even fades away dark spots. Plus, it’s suitable even for sensitive skin. Doesn’t matter what your skin type is or what skin concern you’re dealing with, adding niacinamide to your skincare routine can only help. If your moisturiser doesn’t have a drop of niacinamide, then this lightweight serum is a great way to sneak it into your skincare routine. Plus, it’s enriched with Hyaluronic Acid for extra hydration.

Available at: Boots, Cult Beauty, Selfridges, Sephora, and The Inkey List

Related: How To Choose The Best Exfoliator For YOUR Skin Type

Best For Acne: The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum (£12.99)

Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) is another name for Salicylic Acid, the best exfoliant for oily skin. While other exfoliants only remove dead cells from the surface of your skin, Salicylic Acid is oil-soluble, so it gets deeper into your pores and unclogs them from within. Bye bye blackheads! Bye bye whiteheads! Bye bye pimples! The texture feels a little sticky, but if you don’t mind that, this’ll help you treat your acne faster. Plus, it’s enriched with hyaluronic acid, so it won’t dry out your skin. No acne and plump skin? Sign me up!

Available at: Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and The Inkey List

Best For Brightening: The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Toner (£11.99)

Glycolic acid is an exfoliant on steroids. In addition to doing what every other exfoliant does (removing dead cells from the surface of your skin), it also boosts collagen and hydrates your skin. Add everything together and this toner has what it takes to make your rough skin softer again, miminimise the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and make your complexion brighter. Oh, and it helps fade away dark spots too. It’s best suitable for dry, normal, and sun-damaged skin. For best results, use it every other night, right after cleansing.

Available at: Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and The Inkey List

Best For Sensitive Skin: The Inkey List Redness Relief Solution 10% Azelaic Acid Serum (£15.99)

What do you do when you’re dealing with acne/dark spots and skin so sensitive, the usual treatments are irritating your skin? That’s when you turn to Azelaic Acid. Produced by a yeast that lives on your skin, this powerful actives has powerful anti-inflammatory properties + a mild exfoliating effect that give it several superpowers: it treats acne, fades away dark spots, and even soothes rosacea. The green hue also helps hide the redness that always comes along with these inflammatory conditions. It also has a good texture that’s a pleasant to use (Azelaic Acid is difficult to formula with, so this is a huge bonus!).

Available at: Boots, Sephora, and The Inkey List

What Are The Best The Inkey List Products For Wrinkles?

  • The Inkey List Retinol Serum ($12.99): This powerful anti-aging serum contains both retinol and Granactive Retinoid to tackle wrinkles and acne. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and The Inkey List.
  • The Inkey List Scar, Mark And Wrinkle Solution ($24.99): This serum contains the highest concentration of pure retinol used by the brand. It treats wrinkles, fades away dark spots, and reduces acne. But it won’t do anything for scars. FYI, this is for people who have used retinol for a long time and can tolerate high concentrations. If you’re just getting started, stay away. Available at Boots and The Inkey List.

What Are The Best The Inkey List Products For Acne?

  • The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum ($12.99): BHA is the only exfoliant that gets inside your pores and unclogs them from within. It both prevents and treats blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and The Inkey List.
  • The Inkey List Retinol Serum ($12.99): Retinol isn’t good just for wrinkles. By speeding up cellular turnover, it helps treat acne too. Plus, Granactive Retinoid, the other retinoid in here, has been scientifically proven to reduce acne, too. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and The Inkey List.

What Are The Best The Inkey List Products For Dark Spots?

  • The Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum (£11.99): Alpha Arbutin is a powerful skin-lightener that inhibits the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural colour. If you’ve tried everything else to fade away dark spots without success, it’s time to give this a go. Available at Cult Beauty, Selfridges, Sephora and The Inkey List.
  • The Inkey List List Redness Relief Solution 10% Azelaic Acid Serum (£15.99): If your skin is so sensitive, it can’t take harsh skin-lighteners like Alpha Arbutin and 1% retinol, try this. Azelaic acid fades away dark spots and is well-tolerated by sensitive skin too. Available at Boots, Sephora, and The Inkey List.

What Are The Best The Inkey List Products For Sensitive Skin?

  • The Inkey List List Redness Relief Solution 10% Azelaic Acid Serum (£15.99): If you’re trying to fade away dark spots or treat acne, but everything you use irritates your skin, it’s time to switch to Azelaic Acid. It treats these conditions without irritating skin. Available at Boots, Sephora, and The Inkey List.
  • The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum ($9.99): Feeling frustrated and like you’re missing out because all the best anti-aging ingredients irritate your skin? Try niacinamide. This active does everything, from fighting wrinkles to fading dark spots and treating acne – and all without irritating skin. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Selfridges, Sephora, and The Inkey List.
  • The Inkey List 1% Bakuchiol Moisturiser ($12.99): Your skin can’t tolerate retinol? Bakuchiol is a natural alternative that boosts collagen and fights wrinkles – but it’s much gentler on the skin. Plus, it has natural oils that moisturise skin. Available at Cult Beauty, Sephora, and The Inkey List.

Is The Inkey List Cruelty-Free?

Yes, The Inkey List is cruelty-free. They don’t test on animals. They don’t outsource animal testing to a third party. And they don’t sell their products in countries, like China, where animal testing is still required by law.

The Pros Of The Inkey List Skincare

The Inkey List offers single actives skincare products. Each bottle and tube is packed with a science-backed ingredient that can really prevent premature aging, fade away dark spots, and keep breakouts at bay. It’s skincare that works – at a very affordable price too. Who said you need to spend a fortune to get the skin of your dreams?

The Cons Of The Inkey List Skincare

The con of single active skincare? There’s no single active that can single-handedly prevent wrinkles or fight acne. That’s why I love skincare products that mix several actives together, so you can get everything you need in one bottle. With The Inkey List, you’ll need to use several products to get the same results. Kinda defeats the purpose of making skincare less complicated…

I personally think of The Inkey List as supplements. If an ingredient my skin needs is missing from my skincare routine, I know I can turn to this brand to get my fix. But I wouldn’t want to rely only on this brand – otherwise, my skincare routine would be 10 steps long! Plus, the packaging is cheap. It does the job, and at this price point, that’s all you can expect. But if beautiful packaging is important for you, this isn’t your brand.

One last thing: sometimes The Inkey List uses fancy ingredients that make for a good marketing story, even if there’s not enough science to back up the claims yet. Be careful when you go shopping. Remember: every brand has a dud (or five).

Which Is Better: The Ordinary Or The Inkey List? 

Now that’s the million dollar question, isn’t it? Both brands are so similar, you could argue The Inkey List is a copycat of The Ordinary. I mean, same single active philosophy, black and white packaging, and affordable pricing… I personally have a soft spot for The Ordinary because they were the first to came up with the concept and disrupt the skincare industry.

When it comes to which ones make more effective product, it really depends on the product. Both brands have their duds and their gems. So, it’s not about which of the two brands is better, but which product is better for your unique skin type and concerns.

The Verdict

The Inkey List delivers single-active skincare products that do what they promise without breaking the bank. If you’re on a budget or simply don’t want to spend a small fortune for skincare that works, this is a brand worth checking out.

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.