The Inkey List Review: My Honest Thoughts on 26 Products

When The Inkey List first launched in the US, I was intrigued. The Inkey List offers advanced skincare formulations in basic packaging at a budget-friendly price, very similar to The Ordinary skincare products.

I heard good things about the brand, so I tried a few several of their skincare products. Since the results were quite impressive, I bought a few more.

I continue to test products from The Inkey List and spoiler alert, I continue to be impressed! I’ll discuss my experience with several products in this The Inkey List review post.

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The Inkey List Review

Here are The Inkey List products that I tried and my thoughts on each product:

The lightly foaming cleanser removes makeup, dirt, and even sunscreen while hydrating your skin for up to 48 hours after using it.

It’s formulated with a 1% Hyaluronic Acid Complex (CationHA) that stays on your skin even after being washed off for lasting hydration.

A 1% Inulin Compound (PolyFructol Plus) supports a healthy skin barrier and provides extended hydration.

A 2% concentration of betaine, which is derived from sugar beets, moisturizes your skin.

It’s formulated for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

I like how it washes off without drying my skin out or making me feel tight. My skin feels soft, hydrated, and nourished after using it.

This lightweight cleanser works well on its own or as the second step of a double cleanse in my evening skincare routine.

I’ll use The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm to remove makeup and SPF and Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser to remove any residual dirt and oil.

It’s super hydrating and lightweight and would be great for irritated, dehydrated, or dry skin types.

The toner contains a 10% concentration of glycolic acid to reduce the appearance of pores, smooth your skin and reduce dullness. It also contains a 5% concentration of witch hazel to control excess oil.

With continued use, this glycolic acid toner can brighten your complexion and improve skin texture.

Glycolic acid penetrates the skin deeper than lactic acid due to its smaller molecule size, so sensitive skin may find this irritating.

I found this to be a great alternative to my regular toner a few nights a week. I’ve used other, more expensive glycolic acid toners, and this one is comparable.

It makes my skin tingle a little upon application, but that dissipates pretty quickly. Affordable and effective!

Related Post: How to Use Glycolic Acid in Your Skincare Routine

This skin plumper also contains Matrixyl 3000 peptide, which supports natural collagen production for an added plumping effect.

Great for dry skin, hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water and is the ultimate hydrator. This serum sinks in quickly and dries faster than other hyaluronic acids that I’ve tried at a higher price.

It’s an easy-to-use serum that does not interfere with other skincare products.

This is my favorite hyaluronic acid serum! It’s lightweight and not as sticky as other, more expensive hyaluronic acid serums.

Related Posts: The Inkey List vs The Ordinary: Anti-Aging Skincare on a Budget, The Best Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

Matrixyl 3000 peptide, which helps support collagen production and the appearance of fine lines. Syn-Tacks is a dual-peptide that also helps to reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines.

The serum also contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid for moisture and hydration.

This formula absorbed into my skin nicely without interfering with other skincare products or makeup. I like combining it with hyaluronic acid when my skin is parched and needs extra hydration.

This lightweight, non-irritating serum would be a great affordable choice for aging and mature skin.

This retinol also contains squalane for added moisture and hyaluronic acid for hydration.

This is my favorite product from The Inkey List thanks to it’s gentle wrinkle-smoothing benefits.

I’ve tried many different retinols and have always given up because they were too strong, caused irritation, and my skin would rebel.

This retinol serum is one of the few retinol products that doesn’t irritate my skin. The morning after I use this, my skin appears smoother, brighter and tightened.

This would be the ideal starter retinol for aging and mature skin types.

The slow-release formula for low irritation, yet the effective active delivery was very gentle on my skin.

For more on my experience with The Inkey List Retinol, please see my review.

Related Post: A Guide to Drugstore Retinol

I always reach for lactic acid since it has a larger molecule size than glycolic acid, which makes it less irritating.

I woke in the morning with smoother and brighter skin after using this product at night, thanks to the exfoliation of dead skin cells occurring overnight. I experienced no irritation with this serum.

There are very few affordable lactic acid serums that perform as well as this serum. It’s a great value and provides quick, visible results.

For more on this serum, I discussed how this product and The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid stack up against all-star Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment in this post on Good Genes drugstore dupes .

It also helps brighten your skin and reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

There are three silicones in this product to make it a very smooth application and allow vitamin C to be delivered to the skin without water being present.

This is quite a strong formulation, so it may irritate those with sensitive skin.

This cream irritated my skin on the first application. On subsequent applications, I applied this cream as the last step before my moisturizer, and I found it less irritating.

I noticed it left a dry, almost powdery finish on my skin.

Unfortunately, since it is one of the last steps of my skincare routine, I don’t know how much of the vitamin C cream my skin is ultimately getting since the other products underneath may be blocking some absorption.

I prefer using lower concentration ascorbic acid serums or stable vitamin C derivative serums that do not irritate my skin.

This is another product from The Inkey List that contains Matrixyl 3000 peptide, which is a cell-communicating ingredient that helps support the production of collagen and the appearance of fine lines.

Other notable ingredients include squalene and hyaluronic acid for moisture.

It performed well under makeup and did not irritate my eyes. I think this is a great basic eye cream that comes at a very affordable price.

Related Post: The Ordinary Anti-Aging Skincare Review

The eye cream contains Vitalease, which is a stabilized retinol in a slow-release formula that minimizes irritation.

It helps brighten the skin and supports collagen formation while being gentle enough to use around the sensitive eye area.

I think this is a fantastic retinol eye cream for the price. It is light, non-sticky, and non-irritating. It should only be used at night since it contains retinol, which makes your skin more sensitive to sun exposure.

I think this might even be helping to reduce milia (bumps) around my eye area. It leaves the skin around my eyes smooth and soft.

I really like using retinol in eye creams since retinol not only helps with those fine lines and wrinkles, it also helps with cell turnover and supports collagen production.

This is very helpful as the eyes are one of the first areas on our face that start to show the signs of aging.

For under $12, this eye cream is a steal.

Glycolic acid is a powerful alpha-hydroxy acid that exfoliates dead skin cells while helping your skin to maintain its oil balance.

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid to banish bacteria and citric, lactic, and succinic acids. These acids complement glycolic acid by helping to reveal brighter and more even skin tone.

My skin can get a little temperamental when it comes to glycolic acid, but I still wanted to give this peel a try.

The first thing I noticed is the strong scent of apple cider vinegar. It dissipated after a few minutes, which was a relief!

My skin experiences stinging and irritation after first applying the peel, but that goes away after a few minutes.

I only apply I light layer when I use this, but after 10 minutes, my skin is brighter and clearer. This is a very nice peel for the price.

I think this treatment could be very effective when used just as suggested, in the evening once or twice a week.

Epitensive is a plant-derived Epidermal Growth Factor, a signal peptide, which supports collagen production and elasticity of the skin.

The serum protects the skin from environmental stress, brightens dull skin and supports healthy skin elasticity.

This thin clear liquid vitamin C serum is applied without any irritation, is not sticky, and dries quickly. It is weightless under makeup, and my skin seems brighter and more even since I started using this on a daily basis.

The Inkey List notes that if you choose to apply products on top of this vitamin C serum, you should wait for 10 minutes to allow EGF to do its job.

Since I use this in the morning, I apply it as soon as I get out of the shower and then get dressed and finish my skincare routine.

This is a drastically different vitamin C experience compared to the other The Inkey List vitamin C product that I tried. This formulation works much better for my skin without any irritation.

TIP: Be sure to check on the inside of the box that The Inkey List product is packaged in. The inside walls of the box, which can be ripped apart, may have extra notes and helpful info about the product!

It is formulated with vitamin B3 (niacinamide) to control oil and calm redness, vitamin C derivative (Sodium ascorbyl phosphate) for brightening dull skin, and soothing vitamin E to reduce the appearance of scarring from blemishes.

It is so lightweight and leaves a nearly matte finish, so I think this moisturizer would be ideal for normal to oily skin types.

The tube packaging allows a little too much product out unless you are careful, but otherwise, this product is a steal.

It works well under makeup during the day and really does seem to help with controlling oil.

You absolutely can’t beat the low price!

The peptides included in the moisturizer are 2% Royal Epigen P5 to help even skin tone and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and 1% Hydrating Peptide Solution to hydrate and support the skin’s moisture barrier.

The moisturizer is lightweight and non-greasy. It works well as the last step of my evening skincare routine and leaves my skin soft and hydrated.

I love that there are peptides in the formula that address the signs of aging while hydrating and protecting the skin’s barrier.

I think this is a nice moisturizer for evening use, and it complements their new Vitamin B, C, and E moisturizer that I’ve been using during the day.

The old jar packaging (shown above) was reminiscent of Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer, another peptide moisturizer that is over 4x the cost of The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer.

Perhaps this is formulated to be similar to Drunk Elephant.

I’ve sampled Protini before, and the texture is rather similar, so you may want to give this a try if you are a fan of Protini and are looking for a dupe, or an inexpensive alternative.

Related Post: Drugstore Skincare Dupes for Best Selling Luxury Skincare Products

It contains 2% Tranexamic Acid, 2% Acai Berry Extract, and 2% Vitamin C derivative (Ascorbyl Glucoside) to repair damaged skin cells and brighten the skin.

This is a concentrated formula that should be applied as a thin layer on your face and neck in place of your moisturizer or can be used as a targeted treatment for dark spots, uneven skin tone, and scarring.

Use it in your morning and/or evening skincare routines.

I’ve heard great things about this product for fading acne scars.

I have more of an issue with hyperpigmentation on my cheeks, so I like applying it after The Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum at night for a double dose of evening and brightening of the skin.

So far, so good for me. I’ve notice a bit of brightening thanks to the multi-benefit formula.

I like that you also get added antioxidant benefits in the form of vitamin C.

TIP: The Inkey List notes (on the inside of the package) that you should continue to use this treatment even if you don’t see results immediately. It can take up to six weeks to see results, so you really need to give it some time to reap the benefits.

Related Post: Best Tranexamic Acid Serums

This pale yellow creamy serum is formulated with Syn-tacks, a dual peptide, which supports the formation of collagen, plus squalane for its emollient and moisturizing properties.

The serum targets the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while protecting against environmental stressors.

Formulated at a pH of 5.89, this serum helps to protect skin from free radical damage, which leads to the signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity.

Sometimes vitamin C serums can have application texture or irritation issues, so I’ve been reaching for this serum often for use during the daytime.

It works well under makeup and protects from environmental aggressors.

You can also use this serum at night. I’ve been testing it on top of The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum and under The Inkey List Multibiotic Moisturizer.

I’ve really been enjoying the combination of these three products. My skin drinks in the hydration and is super soft and supple in the morning.

TIP: If you have issues with using vitamin C as an antioxidant for your skin due to sensitivities, Q10 is a great alternative.

Did you know that polyglutamic acid can hold up to four times more moisture than hyaluronic acid?

That’s a lot of moisture, considering the hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000x its own weight in water.

This serum forms a breathable film on the skin to lock in moisture, making it the ideal base for makeup.

The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid is my favorite hyaluronic acid product and one of my favorite products from the Inkey List.

This product has a much different consistency. It is thicker and feels even more moisturizing than their Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

I like to add this to my skincare routine when my skin becomes dry and irritated after using retinoids.

It doesn’t take the place of their Hyaluronic Acid serum, but I can see myself using this when my skin is very parched and might switch to this in the winter.

A super duper hydrator!

Related Posts: The Best The Inkey List Products for Acne and Oily Skin, Tula Skincare Review

The Inkey List SuperSolutions

The Inkey List SuperSolutions are specialized products formulated with dermatologists and clinically tested to address specific skin concerns.

The following three serums are pricier than other The Inkey List products, but they contain a higher concentration of actives:

This high percentage of niacinamide offers multiple benefits, such as regulating oil production, minimizing pore appearance, smoothing wrinkles and fine lines, and reducing redness.

The serum also contains 0.5% Zinc PCA to help absorb excess sebum and help with texture and bumps on the skin’s surface.

A 3% concentration of squalane moisturizes without clogging pores.

The strong niacinamide concentration really helps keep oil in check, and I can feel my skin is less oily when I use this product consistently.

I usually focus on my t-zone where I get the oiliest, and after using it for a month, I’ve noticed less oiliness throughout the day.

It is also effective in reducing the look of wrinkles and fine lines for a more youthful complexion.

Enriched with 5% apricot kernel oil, this retinol serum aids in retaining moisture and protecting your skin barrier.

The formula also contains 2% squalane, a light, non-comedogenic oily liquid that helps enhance the skin’s natural barrier, and avocado oil for added moisture and suppleness.

This SuperSolutions 1% retinol serum has a thick, yellow texture that quickly absorbs into my skin without leaving any greasy or sticky residue. 

I love the rich texture of this potent serum.

Although the 1% concentration is too strong for me to use every night, I use it a few times a week as I increase my skin’s tolerance to the higher retinol concentration.

I think the moisturizing ingredients help offset some of the irritation that comes along with the higher amount of retinol in this serum.

It smooths my fine lines and improves my skin texture.

This serum is designed to address dark spots, uneven skin tone, and redness with its quick-absorbing, creamy formula containing 10% azelaic acid.

Azelaic acid is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, effectively reducing redness and targeting bacteria while also unclogging pores. It is also beneficial in managing acne.

Micro-fine green-colored particles within the serum help hide redness, while a 0.3% concentration of allantoin provides additional moisturization and soothing benefits.

This serum is suitable even for those with rosacea. Its non-pilling formula ensures no white-cast or crunchy layer when used with other products.

I like the lightweight and elegant texture of the serum that works well under makeup.

I’ve been using it as a spot treatment on discoloration and redness and I think it’s helping to soothe and reduce some spotty discoloration on my cheeks.

It doesn’t irritate my skin like some highly concentrated azelaic acid serums, so this serum is a winner for me.

This brightening eye cream is formulated with Brightenyl 2%, an active skincare ingredient that brightens the eye contour and evens skin tone and pigmentation over time.

Grant-X blurring technology 5% helps to blur the appearance of fine lines.

Peach Mica Mineral Blend 1% illuminates and brightens while 1% low molecular weight hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps the skin.

This eye cream has a metal applicator that dispenses the product. I’ve never been a huge fan of this type of applicator, but I have to admit that it is incredibly soothing and cooling when applied in the morning.

I think it really helps my red puffy under-eye area.

This eye cream contains mica that imparts a very slight glow which I like. It’s not too shimmery but brightening at the same time.

If you are looking to brighten your under-eye area, this eye cream from The Inkey List is a great choice.

Related Post: The Best The Inkey List Products for Hyperpigmentation and Dark Spots

This treatment contains a 3% blend of a multi-ceramide complex to protect, hydrate, and support the skin. It also contains 2.5% multi-molecular hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin.

Think of ceramides as the glue that holds skin cells together and supports the skin barrier. Environmental factors and sun exposure can deplete your skin’s natural ceramides.

This is a somewhat gooey gel-cream that really pumps up the hydration. It helps rehydrate my complexion when my skin is dry and irritated from retinoid use.

Although slightly tacky upon application, it sinks in pretty quickly and leaves my skin soft, plump and smooth.

I use this as the last step in my skincare routine a few times a week when I really need some extra hydration.

The Inkey List suggests using this 2-3x per week as your nightly moisturizer after preferred serums.

They recommend applying a hyaluronic acid product prior to this treatment to draw more moisture into your skin.

Formulated at a pH between 5.0 – 6.0, this lightweight mask can be used up to 2x a week to unclog pores with its high-grade clay formula.

Kaolin clay deep cleans and helps to reduce breakouts. In addition to your face, this mask can be used on other blemish-prone areas, such as your back and chest.

I love the lightweight feel of this clay mask. It does the job of deep cleaning my skin without leaving my skin feeling dry and tight.

I remember reading about how you should never pay a lot of money for a clay face mask since the ingredients often don’t warrant a high price tag.

This mask is a perfect example of an effective clay mask treatment for under $8!

NOTE: For the best results, The Inkey List suggests changing your pillowcases regularly. This can help reduce breakouts since old skin cells can find their way back to your skin, potentially clogging pores and making breakouts worse.

This multi-biotic moisturizer combines good bacteria (pro), with their nutrients (pre) along with by-products (post) to protect the skin from pollution and support a balanced pH.

This formula includes 5% Yogurtene Balance which helps replace bad bacteria with good bacteria, thereby reducing breakouts.

A 2% Brightenyl concentration helps even skin tone while minimizing darkening and redness. A 2% squalane concentration moisturizes and controls oil production.

Probiotics have become very popular in skincare lately, and combining skincare ingredients that contain the right concentration of bacteria to balance the skin makes sense.

This is a lightweight moisturizer that sinks into your skin without any greasy feel.

There is a noticeable scent that is pretty darn stinky. I’ve read complaints about the scent online, so this unpleasant scent is normal for the formula.

The scent goes away once applied, so it doesn’t really bother me. This lightweight moisturizer leaves my skin silky smooth and brighter in the morning after using it at night.

The Inkey List Hepta-Peptide Serum

The Inkey List Hepta-Peptide Serum, which appears to be DISCONTINUED as of 2023, contains Gransome Heptapeptide-7 to help reduce the appearance of crepey skin.

It contains carnosine which works as an antioxidant and supports collagen-boosting abilities. Other ingredients include glycerin and squalane for moisture. It also contains Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract that targets inflammation and redness.

I have mixed feelings about this serum. At first, it seems to absorb all the other products underneath and on top of it and make my skin dry. But then I noticed an almost blurring effect on my skin which I loved.

I used it again, thinking it might work well as a primer since it leaves your face matte. But then I found that my foundation would stick to this and be clumpy and streaky. So it has its pluses and minuses.

I found that this product worked best for me at night.

This moisturizer also contains green tea extract that offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It also contains moisturizing glycerin and betaine.

The moisturizer is ideal for dry, combination and oily skin types.

It has a lightweight feel on my skin and is very soothing.

I used this as the last step in my skincare routine. It helped lock in all my other treatment products. This would be a great moisturizer in the winter for dry and parched skin.

Related Post: Good Molecules Skincare Review

Final Thoughts on The Inkey List Skincare

Since most of The Inkey List products focus on single hero ingredients, the products tend to be most beneficial when combined with other products.

As a result, if you use multiple products, you need to know how to combine them, so some thought is required when using this skincare line.

Overall, I was very impressed with the products that I tried, and I look forward to trying additional products as they are released.

Unfortunately, the packaging is not the most elegant, and product delivery can be a bit messy, but that is to be expected when prices are so low.

My favorites so far are the Retinol Serum and the Hyaluronic Acid Serum. These products really delivered comparable results to their more expensive counterparts.

All of the new products I tried are performing really well, and I love that they deliver anti-aging benefits at rock bottom prices.

For more affordable and effective skincare products, be sure to check out my Revolution Skincare and Facetheory reviews.

Thanks for reading!