The Inkey List Skincare Review

About The Inkey List

The Inkey List is here for your hair and skin care needs. From cleansers to scalp treatments, this cosmetic company offers hassle-free solutions to help people look their best. They prioritize brand transparency, as they believe that buyers should be well informed when it comes to basic self-care knowledge. 

Over the years, The Inkey List has grown a sizable audience for its innovative products. Don’t believe us? They’re featured on several media outlets, including Allure, Refinery29, and Glamour magazine. Let’s not forget its Instagram account, which boasts a total of 395k. 

If you’re new to the skincare universe, it’s best that you stay tuned for The Inkey List Skincare review. We’ll provide a heads-up on the brand, its products, customer ratings, promotions, and more to help you decide if they’re worth checking out. 

Overview of The Inkey List

When you get into the nitty-gritty of things, you’ll realize that self-care is far from a simple bath bomb and a candle. In actuality, it’s a smorgasbord of cosmetic jargon.

Sorry, it’s not just a matter of organics and vegetable extracts anymore. Instead, it’s a chemistry lesson on hyaluronic acid, cetyl alcohol, glycoproteins, and lanolin.

Thankfully, beauty brands like The Inkey List are looking to make the cosmetic world more accessible. They do this by educating customers on common ingredients, their usage, and the science involved when applied. 

Born in 2018, this online company is led by founders Colette Laxton and Mark Curry. The Inkey List is currently headquartered in Nottingham, United Kingdom. 

Before we get into this The Inkey List Skincare review, let’s go over some initial pros and cons: 

Pros

• Wide variety of effective skincare products to choose from 
• The online forum called ‘askINKEY’ provides further knowledge on cosmetics 
• Customers can build their own skincare recipe by using their online quiz
• Affordably priced 
• Klarna is available as an alternative payment option 
• Free shipping on orders $35 or more 

Cons

• Only available in select countries 
• Unable to accept returns 

Skincare is not one size fits all. Whether it’s a cleanser or moisturizer, results will heavily depend on your complexion type. Fortunately, there are hundreds of products suited for oily, dry, combination cases. But, in the chaos that is the cosmetic industry—most brands fail to educate us on the ingredients used and their overall purpose. 

The Inkey List is different. This beauty brand prioritizes trust between the consumer and the company. By supporting this retailer, customers can inform themselves of the product by using the askINKEY feature offered on its website. It’s worth noting that they also sell hair care as well. 

Moving forward, this The Inkey List Skincare review will feature a few of the brand’s best-selling products for readers to compare. 

The Inkey List Skincare Review

If you’re anything like me, you just want to find a product that works. Unfortunately, most of us are fooled into believing that the more scientific an ingredient sounds, the better it is for our complexion. Of course, this is not always the case. 

To help clear the fog, The Inkey List provides a bit of insight before you commit to any skincare regimen. This includes offering information for its formulas, including cleansers, treatment, and SPF creams. 

Unless you’re dead set on a product, this The Inkey List Skincare review will take a look at some of the brand’s top-selling formulas. 

The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser Review

Excess oil is usually the main culprit when it comes to breakouts. While some resort to blotting papers or the traditional water rinse, it’s best to find a treatment that settles things once and for all. 

Case in point, the Salicylic Acid Cleanser from The Inkey List. This first-step formula is enhanced with zinc, which can help reduce unnecessary sebum while eliminating blackheads. 

If you’re new to the skincare world, it’s advised that users apply this treatment before any moisturizers, creams, or serums. Alternatively, those riddled with chest or back pimples can use this remedy as well. Currently, the Salicylic Acid Cleanser retails for $10. 

The Inkey List Retinol Review

Wrinkles are a natural sign of aging. Ultimately, there’s nothing to be ashamed of—it’s just the way of life. But for those who’d like to scale the clock for a teensy bit, the 1% Retinol serum can subtract years from your complexion. This skincare must-have works wonders in blurring fine lines and hyperpigmentation. It can also correct an uneven tone.

The best thing about this treatment is that it’s formulated for all skin types, including oily, dry, normal, and combination. Best paired with hyaluronic acid for a hydration boost, the Retinol serum by The Inkey List costs $10 in total. 

The Inkey List Niacinamide Review

Don’t get me wrong; the e-girl, blush-heavy look is certainly one for the makeup books. Natural redness, on the other hand, can look unflattering if not treated properly. On top of that, it’s usually a sign that your skin is stressed out. To help flush out that undesired rouge, the Niacinamide serum levels out your complexion by adding a boost of vitamin B3. 

Considered a must-have for blemishes and enlarged pores, this remedy helps to refine and rejuvenate sensitive skin. As an added bonus, it’s also great in removing excess oil. Fortunately, the Niacinamide serum is quite reasonable in price compared to other treatments, as it only costs $7. 

The Inkey List PHA Toner Review

Guys, we need to reserve sugar scrubs for lip exfoliants only. While it does smell (and taste) amazing, our skin is prone to scratching and scarring when applied. For a gentler alternative, the PHA Toner by The Inkey List works lightly to remove dead cells and locked-in debris. Compared to other treatments out there, it actually locks in moisture to help in rehydration. 

After repeated use, customers can look forward to a clearer complexion devoid of blackheads and pimples. Of course, products like the $11 PHA Toner need to be paired with other self-care products, such as a light moisturizer or a pore-refining serum. 

The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream Review

If the struggles of living prevent a good night’s sleep, chances are that you’re cursed with bad skin. Stress can do a number on our health, which is why it’s best to use products like the Caffeine Eye Cream to subdue the signs of exhaustion.

Designed as the cosmetic equivalent to a strong cup of joe, this ointment relieves water retention and puffiness caused by strained eyes. 

It’s also enhanced with Matrixyl 3000 peptide, which is crucial in eliminating fine lines and wrinkles. Luckily for customers, the Caffeine Eye Cream is at an affordable $10, which is honestly cheaper than an order placed at a hipster coffee shop. 

The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum Review

Here’s a shocker; skincare commercials are a big fat lie. That ‘commercial splash’ isn’t enough to rehydrate dry skin. For a better way to lock in moisture, the Hyaluronic Acid Serum penetrates deep within your pores to deliver maximum hydration. According to The Inkey List, this ingredient is known to hold up to one thousand times its water weight. 

Hydration doesn’t just entail a more supple texture. It can also aid in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Because of its properties, we recommend applying the $8 Hyaluronic Acid Serum during your morning and nighttime routines. 

The Inkey List Vitamin C Review

Like a delicate piece of china, our skin deserves a bit of polishing now and then. Instead of using soap and water, the Vitamin C serum provides that extra boost of shine thanks to its patented formulation. This treatment uses a pure blend of 30% L-ascorbic acid, which is crucial in brightening and refining the complexion. 

Honestly, if you’re susceptible to blemishes, hyperpigmentation, or acne scars, this product comes as a godsend. We highly recommend using the $10 Vitamin C serum as a primer for your makeup, as it can help even out your complexion in time for foundation. 

Who Is The Inkey List For? 

The Inkey List is for anyone who’s currently lost (or overwhelmed) when it comes to purchasing cosmetic goods. From cleansers to moisturizers, customers can find straightforward solutions without the need for figuring out unnecessary jargon. If you value company transparency and in-depth product descriptions, The Inkey List is definitely for you. 

Can I Personalize My Inkey List Routine? 

The answer is yes and no. Just to be clear, customers cannot create their moisturizers, serums, or cleansers from scratch. Instead, the brand will recommend a skin or hair care routine by offering a few select products. This is determined by your needs and goals, which users must convey through a series of questions. 

Comparison: The Inkey List vs. Deciem

Of course, BS-free self-care solutions are not a novelty idea. Aside from The Inkey List, cosmetic companies like Deciem are also leading with this mindset. Ultimately, this begs the question—how does our brand stand up to its competition? 

To help readers answer this, we’ve rounded up a few salient points for each retailer. Let’s get started. 

The Inkey List:

• Offers straightforward solutions for hair and skin care 
• Found in 2018 
• Caters to those new to the world of self-care products 
• Sells cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and hair care treatments 
• Price ranges from $5 to $32 
• No claims about sustainability or ethical labor 
• Free shipping on orders $35 or more with no return policy 

Deciem:

• Known for a wide selection of skincare products under labels like The Ordinary, NIOD, Hylamide, The Chemistry Brand, and HIF
• Has been around since 2013
• Caters to skincare enthusiasts 
• Sells a variety of remedies such as moisturizers, serums, cleansers, elixirs, creams, and more
• Deceim also sells makeup and hair care 
• Price ranges from $0.90 to $70 
• Implements some sustainable practices like recyclable packaging
• Free shipping on orders $25 or more with a 1-year return policy 

Honestly, it all boils down to budget and product variety. For instance, The Inkey List provides a curated selection of skincare goods at an affordable price point. On the other hand, those fully versed in the self-care universe may find Deciem an exciting place to look for new formulas. 

Check out our Deciem Review to learn more about this brand.

The Inkey List Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

So, what’s the general consensus? Does The Inkey List fall into the hot 100 skincare brands of 2021? From what we’ve gathered so far, it seems that way! 

Most of their products garner hundreds of reviews on the company’s website. For a better view, we’ll feature the ratings for some of the brand’s best-selling formulas down below:

• The Salicylic Acid Cleanser: 124 reviews with 4.6/5 stars 
• The Retinol Serum: 69 reviews with 4.7/5 stars 
• The Niacinamide Serum: 79 reviews 

The Inkey List is definitely onto something. Because of the simple formulations, customers are raving about the effectiveness of their products. For instance, remedies like the Salicylic Acid Cleanser and the Retinol serum proved successful in removing blemishes, breakouts, and excess sebum. 

“This, plus a night time medicated moisturiser from another brand has helped bring my skin under control. I love how clean it makes my skin feel and it removes my make-up with one wash. Love it,” one customer wrote for the Salicylic Acid Cleanser. 

The rave reviews for The Inkey List also extend to other websites such as Sephora, Influenster, and Cult Beauty. In short, most customers agreed that the Retinol serum helped to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and the appearance of pores. 

Others loved its gentle formulation and affordable price point. But don’t just take it from us. We’ll let the ratings speak for themselves:

• Influenster for the Retinol serum: 503 reviews with 4.5/5 stars 
• Sephora for the Retinol serum: 967 reviews with 4.4/5 stars 
• Cult Beauty for the Retinol serum: 146 reviews with 5/5 stars 

“I have been using this retinol serum consistently for the past year and I have had great results! From the get go, this serum has never irritated me or caused any discomfort. I found it also to be quite hydrating and overall a nice gentle retinol serum,” one Cult Beauty reviewer wrote. 

Some independent blogs, such as A Beauty Edit, also left a commendable review of this cosmetic brand. According to the author, “The Inkey List has some really great product formulations as well and overall, I think The Inkey List’s products are more elegant in texture and skin feel.”

Overall, the amount of negative feedback pales compared to the amount of positivity on the internet. It’s also important to note that some of these formulas (such as the Retinol serum) have an adjustment period when applied on skin for the first time. We recommend following the brand’s directions closely so that you know exactly what to expect during the first few weeks of use. 

Is The Inkey List Worth It?

More often than not, brands tend to mislead their customers by offering a wide product selection and vague product descriptions. The Inkey List does none of this, as they provide jargon-free solutions in a more curated format. Best of all, buyers aren’t left in the dark—as they’re given resources to better educate themselves on skincare formulations and ingredients. 

Their products are very affordable as well. Compared to companies that usually charge $30 or more for cosmetic formulas, you can expect to only pay half that amount by shopping at this brand. In conclusion, this The Inkey List Skincare review recommends that you visit their website for cost-effective remedies free of BS advertising. 

The Inkey List Promotions & Discounts 

This The Inkey List Skincare review found multiple ways for customers to save money. To keep things easy to read, we’ll provide them in a point-form list down below:

• Some of their products are on sale, such as the Amino Acid Anti-Gray Scalp Treatment
• Currently, the brand is hosting a competition in which customers can participate in an askINKEY event for a chance to win one of 15 prizes
• Customers can get 3 acne products for the price of 2 by inputting discount code: 3FOR2

For even more promotions, this The Inkey List Skincare review recommends heading over to the brand’s website. 

Where to Buy The Inkey List

Looking to include the Retinol serum as part of your skincare routine? Customers can visit theinkeylist.com to see what the brand has in store. You can also find them at select retailers such as:

• Cult Beauty 
• Sephora 
• Shoppers Drug Mart 
• Amazon
• Asos
• Boots

FAQ

Who Owns The Inkey List?  

The Inkey List is owned by founders Colette Laxton and Mark Curry. 

Does The Inkey List Use Natural Ingredients?  

The Inkey List uses some natural ingredients such as retinol and squalane. We recommend taking a look at the product description of your chosen item for additional specifics. 

How Ethical is The Inkey List?  

Unfortunately, we aren’t sure if The Inkey List produces ethically-made formulas. After doing a bit of research, some sources state that they are at least cruelty-free. 

How Transparent is The Inkey List? 

The Inkey List is quite transparent when it comes to product benefits, instructions, and ingredients. They display their dedication to helping customers through the askINKEY forum. 

Does The Inkey List Have a Subscription Option? 

The Inkey List does offer a subscription program for its products. By joining in, customers can get their favorite products delivered to them at any given moment. As an added bonus, you also save 15% on all of the company’s formulas. What a steal! 

What is The Inkey List’s Shipping Policy?

This The Inkey List Skincare review is happy to report that they offer free shipping on orders totaling $35 or more. Anything below this amount is charged a flat fee of $6. 

Fortunately, they do provide international delivery to some select countries such as Canada. To help keep tabs on your purchase, the brand will issue a tracking number within a confirmation email. 

What is The Inkey List’s Return Policy?

Unfortunately, The Inkey List does not accept returns for its products at this time. If you have a concern about your order, it’s best to contact the brand directly for information. 

How to Contact The Inkey List

For inquiries unrelated to this The Inkey List Skincare review, you can contact the company through:

• Email: [email protected]
• Using the chat function on its website 
• Filling out the request form online

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