The INKEY List: the honest verdict.
The UK ingredient-led skincare brand that followed The Ordinary's playbook with slightly more consumer-friendly formulations. Tested over eight weeks.
8.6/10
Glow score
- Position
- Budget · Ingredient-led
- Founded
- 2018 · London, UK
- Available at
- Adore Beauty, Priceline, Chemist Warehouse
The verdict
The Ordinary's more approachable sibling.
The INKEY List offers the same ingredient-led, low-price positioning as The Ordinary but with slightly more refined textures and packaging. The encapsulated retinol is gentler than The Ordinary's suspension, which matters for first-time retinol users. Not every product is best-in-class, but the range is consistent and the price point is honest.
What they do right
- Approachable for active-skincare beginners
- Under $25 at most entry points
- Well-packaged vs raw Ordinary bottles
- Straight-talking product names
What to know
- Some products less effective than The Ordinary at similar prices
- Range breadth creates confusion
The lineup
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