Which are the best The INKEY List products?
Last Updated: 31/12/2024
Cruelty-free, affordable and effective, The INKEY List make great skincare simple. Whether you're a beauty novice, or a skincare obsessive, the brand's formulas are ideal for all skin types and concerns.
From hydrating hyaluronic acid to fine line-fighting retinols, the brand seeks to decode the most popular ingredients in beauty, and help people use them effectively to achieve their best skin yet.
Which are the best INKEY List products for your skin type?
To help you find the perfect products for your skin type and build out your own routine, we have curated an edit of the 10 best The INKEY List products which promise to promote healthier, brighter skin.
The INKEY List Omega Water Cream
332
£11.00
Designed to quench thirsty complexions, The INKEY List Omega Water Cream is a lightweight, water-based gel moisturiser that delivers intense hydration without increasing oiliness. This fast-absorbing formula combines Omega Fatty Acids, glycerin, betaine, and niacinamide to improve skin elasticity, balance oil, and unify skin tone. The featherlight texture nourishes the natural skin barrier, locks in moisture, and leaves skin looking more even and radiant.
Best For: All skin types, especially those seeking hydration without clogging pores. How to Use: Apply a pea-sized amount to face and neck after cleansing and treatments, both morning and night.
"Love this! So hydrating, perfect for dry skin, goes well under makeup up and on its own for a fresh glow"
The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
1720
£12.00
A TikTok sensation for good reason, The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm gently dissolves makeup, SPF, oil, and impurities while nourishing the skin's protective barrier. This award-winning formula combines 3% oat kernel oil and 1% colloidal oatmeal to soothe redness and protect the skin's moisture barrier.
Best For: All skin types, especially those with sensitive skin or prone to redness. How to Use: Apply a coin-sized amount to damp skin as the first step in your skincare routine, massaging gently before rinsing. Can also be used as a 10-minute mask for extra nourishment.
"For the price this cleansing balm is great. I wear quite heavy Makeup and literally melts away leaving my skin feeling super soft and clean."
The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum
157
£10.00
The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum is a simple yet powerful formula featuring 10% niacinamide and 1% hyaluronic acid. This fan-favourite treatment is designed to minimise the appearance of pores and imperfections while controlling oil production. The high-performance serum effortlessly absorbs into the skin, promoting a visibly clear, even-toned complexion. With added hyaluronic acid, it also provides lightweight hydration to keep the skin soft and supple.
Best For: Blemish-prone and oily skin types seeking to control oil and even out skin tone. How to Use: Apply a pea-sized amount to face and neck after cleansing and hydrating, gently patting into the skin. Can be used morning and night.
Great addition to my skincare regime. I have an oily t-zone and this does help, and sits well on my skin
The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream
360
£10.00
The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream is like a wake-up call for tired eyes. This potent formula combines caffeine and Matrixyl 3000 peptide to reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines around the eye contour. The lightweight cream delivers intense hydration while improving the look of pigmentation, resulting in a brighter, more even-toned appearance. Its smoothing effect creates the illusion of plumper, more youthful-looking skin.
Best For: Those looking to combat signs of fatigue around the eyes, including dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. How to Use: Pat a small amount around the eye contour using your ring finger after applying face cream. For an extra soothing effect, chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before use.
I use this in the morning and it works wonders for puffiness. The cream blends in so nicely and feels so hyrdrating.
The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
93
£9.00
The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a powerfully hydrating formula suitable for all skin types. This ultra-lightweight serum contains hyaluronic acid, capable of holding up to 1000x its weight in water, to provide intense, long-lasting hydration. The aqueous texture instantly cools and refreshes the complexion, visibly plumping the skin and diminishing the appearance of fine lines. It leaves skin looking radiant and feeling nourished, creating the perfect base for subsequent skincare steps.
Best For: All skin types seeking intense hydration and a plumper, more youthful appearance. How to Use: Apply a pea-sized amount to cleansed, damp face and neck after cleansing and before other serums or creams, both morning and night.
Always the go to hyaluronic acid for me at the moment plus cheap price. Non sticky and goes on skin well with other products and makeup.
The INKEY List- 15% Vitamin C and EGF Serum
230
£15.00
The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Serum is an innovative formula designed to visibly brighten and unify the complexion. Combining 15% Ascorbyl Glucoside (vitamin C) and 1% Epitensive™ (a plant-derived epidermal growth factor), this serum offers multi-benefit action. The potent antioxidant vitamin C protects skin from environmental aggressors, strengthens the skin barrier, and helps correct discolouration. Meanwhile, Epitensive™ works to soften fine lines and promote a plumping effect, transforming dull and lacklustre skin with each application.
Best For: Those seeking to brighten their complexion, protect against environmental damage, and reduce signs of aging. How to Use: Apply a pea-sized amount to face and neck after cleansing, patting gently. Wait 10 minutes before applying other skincare products to allow optimal EGF performance.
Now on my 3rd bottle. Love the texture, no scent. I apply before my spf. Get lots of compliments that my skin is glowing.
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
151
£12.00
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser is a lightly foaming facial wash ideal for those prone to blackheads and breakouts. Formulated with 2% salicylic acid, this cleanser deeply exfoliates to unclog pores and remove impurities. Zinc extract helps control excess oil, while allantoin soothes and hydrates the skin post-exfoliation. Suitable for all skin types, this gentle yet effective formula clarifies the complexion, minimises shine, and encourages a glowing appearance.
Best For: All skin types, especially those prone to blackheads, breakouts, and excess oil. How to Use: Massage a raspberry-sized amount onto damp face and neck for at least 20 seconds, then rinse thoroughly. Use as the first step in your skincare routine, morning and/or night.
Effective at clearing pores, gentle on skin, reduces breakouts over time.
The INKEY List Brighten-I Eye Cream
154
£12.00
The INKEY List Brighten-I Eye Cream is a powerful illuminating formula designed to visibly minimise dark circles and fine lines. Containing 2% Brightenyl™, which is four times more effective than Vitamin C, this cream works to unify and brighten the eye contour. The formula also includes 5% blurring technology to reduce the appearance of fine lines, while 1% mica mineral delivers instant radiance. This versatile cream can be used alone or as an illuminating base for makeup.
Best For: Those looking to brighten dark circles, reduce fine lines, and add radiance to the under-eye area. How to Use: Apply a pea-sized amount under the eyes using the applicator, gently gliding back and forth. Use after cleansing or before makeup application.
I’ve been using the brighten-i for a few years now & definitely notice a difference under my eyes. I go between this & the caffeine eye cream.
The INKEY List Retinol Serum
443
£14.00
The INKEY List Retinol Serum is a slow-release formula designed to combat visible signs of ageing. Featuring 1% retinol acetate and 0.5% granactive retinoid, this serum works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, uneven skin tone, and dullness. Squalane provides soothing hydration, making this retinol perfect for beginners. Suitable for normal, oily, dry, or combination skin types, it helps renew the complexion for a brighter, more unified appearance.
Best For: Those new to retinol or looking to target signs of ageing such as fine lines and uneven skin tone. How to Use: Apply a pea-sized amount to cleansed face and neck in the evening, 1-3 times per week initially. Gradually increase frequency as tolerated. Follow with moisturiser.
My favourite affordable retinol! Doesn’t irritate my skin and you can see the difference in skin texture when you don’t use it.
The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF30
289
£15.00
The INKEY List Dewy Sunscreen SPF30 is a lightweight, broad-spectrum chemical sunscreen suitable for all skin types. This powerful formula offers both UV protection and hydration, featuring an innovative 8% hydration trio of polyglutamic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The result is visibly plumped, moisturised skin with softened fine lines. Its silky texture layers seamlessly under makeup, making it an ideal base prep while shielding the complexion from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Best For: All skin types seeking daily sun protection with added hydration benefits. How to Use: Apply liberally to face and neck as the final step in your morning skincare routine, at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply frequently, especially after sweating or swimming.
The best every day spf, looks great alone and works brilliant under make up
As someone with an affinity for all things beauty, discovering fantastic new products is my not-so-secret obsession. Over the years I've tried and tested a mountains worth of creams, serums and cleansers, finding some of my favourite 'holy-grail' products along the way. However, I'm always on the lookout for more ways to nourish my hair, perfect my dewy base, or enhance my skincare routine. Working as a beauty blogger for over 3 years, I've been lucky enough to collaborate personally with lots of amazing beauty brands including Christian Dior, The Body Shop and Dermalogica. I've used the Dermalogica special cleansing gel religiously since I first got it and their products are some of my ultimate skincare faves. When it comes to cosmetics, NARS Sheer Glow foundation is definitely my go-to - I live for a light, glowy base!
