If you’ve ever felt personally attacked by a $120 serum promising to “transform your skin in 7 days,” The INKEY List feels like a breath of fresh air.
Simple packaging. Clear ingredient names. Prices that don’t make you wonder whether you should moisturize or pay the hydro bill.
That’s exactly why I decided to try The INKEY List and use their Skin Quiz. Based on my answers, I was matched with a full routine including:
- Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Tranexamic Acid Treatment
- 15% Vitamin C Serum
- Fulvic Acid Cleanser
- Omega Water Cream
- Retinol Serum
- Mandelic Acid Treatment
- Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing & Plumping Moisturizer
I used these consistently until I ran out, which took a bit over 1 month for most of the products. I liked them. They were fine. My skin didn’t freak out. But I also knew, about 3 weeks in, that these wouldn’t be the products I’d commit to long-term.
Let’s talk about why.
About The INKEY List (and why people love them)
The INKEY List was founded in 2018 with a clear mission: make skincare knowledge accessible. Instead of flowery product names, they lead with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, niacinamide, and explain what each one does and how to use it.
This is one of the brand’s biggest strengths.
Their pricing is also genuinely reasonable. Most products fall into that sweet spot where you can build a full routine without feeling like skincare has become a luxury hobby reserved for people with “disposable income” and perfect bathroom lighting.
In other words: great entry point, especially if you’re learning skincare or rebuilding a routine from scratch.
My Skin Quiz routine: product-by-product thoughts
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
What it does: hydration support, helps skin look plumper by holding onto water.
How it works: Hyaluronic acid is a humectant — it attracts and binds moisture. This one is meant to be applied to damp skin, then sealed in with moisturizer.
How often: AM and PM.
My experience: This is a solid, no-nonsense hydrator. It did exactly what it should… and nothing more. I think of products like this as supporting actors. Helpful, but not scene-stealing.
Another before-after for good measure:
Tranexamic Acid Treatment
What it does: targets uneven skin tone, dark spots, and post-acne marks.
How it works: Tranexamic acid is often used for pigmentation concerns and can be layered with other actives.
How often: AM and/or PM.
My experience: Pigment products are slow burners. At three weeks, I couldn’t see any noticeable difference — which doesn’t mean it wasn’t working; it just means results here take patience and consistency (and sunscreen).
15% Vitamin C Serum
What it does: brightening, antioxidant protection, and helps support collagen.
How it works: Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals and helps even out tone over time.
How often: ideally in the morning, followed by sunscreen.
My experience: This felt fine on my skin and layered well. That said, vitamin C is one of those ingredients where formulation really matters. I didn’t notice a strong “glow” effect, which is often what people hope for with vitamin C.
Fulvic Acid Cleanser
What it does: gently cleanses while supporting more even-looking skin.
How it works: Contains Nordic peat (rich in fulvic acid), which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
How often: AM and PM.
My experience: Gentle, effective, non-stripping. A good and reliable cleanser.
Omega Water Cream
What it does: lightweight hydration, barrier support, oil balance.
How it works: Contains niacinamide, glycerin, and omega fatty acids to hydrate without heaviness.
How often: AM and PM.
My experience: This is a very “easy” moisturizer. Great under sunscreen or makeup. If you hate heavy creams, you’ll probably love it. For me, it did its job, but didn’t spark joy.
Retinol Serum
What it does: improves texture, fine lines, and breakouts over time.
How it works: Retinol increases cell turnover and stimulates collagen production.
How often: PM only. Start 1–2 nights per week and build up.
My experience: I had no irritation, which is a positive, but also no visible change yet; keeping in mind that retinol is a long game — months, not weeks.
Mandelic Acid Treatment
What it does: gentle chemical exfoliation, helps with texture and post-breakout marks.
How it works: Mandelic acid is an AHA with a larger molecular size, making it gentler than glycolic acid. This one also contains a small amount of retinol.
How often: PM only, not on the same night as retinol.
My experience: This is where routines can start to feel… crowded. When you’re using vitamin C, retinol, tranexamic acid, and exfoliating acids, it becomes harder to tell what’s helping and what’s just along for the ride.
Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing & Plumping Moisturizer
What it does: supports the skin barrier, helps reduce dryness and irritation.
How it works: Ceramides are lipids naturally found in the skin barrier. This cream helps reinforce that barrier — especially useful when using actives.
How often: AM and/or PM.
My experience: A solid barrier cream. Very practical. If your skin barrier is compromised, this could be a great staple. For me, it felt supportive but not transformative.
Why I knew these weren’t my forever products
After about three weeks, my skin looked… the same.
Not worse. Not irritated. Just unchanged. Also, I had to stop using a product (I think it was a moisturizer) because it caused my skin to break out.
And that’s the key distinction.
The INKEY List products are good quality for the price, thoughtfully formulated, and beginner-friendly. But for my skin — and my expectations — they didn’t deliver the kind of visible improvement that makes me want to repurchase without hesitation.
Some brands feel like maintenance. Others feel like momentum.
This routine felt more like maintenance.
Who I think The INKEY List is perfect for
- You want affordable, ingredient-led skincare without marketing fluff
- You’re new to actives and want clear instructions
- You prefer simple, functional formulas
- You’re building a routine on a realistic budget
Who might feel underwhelmed (like me)
- You want noticeable changes sooner rather than later
- You care a lot about texture, finish, and “how it feels” on the skin
- You already have products that give you a visible glow or firmness
Final thoughts
The INKEY List delivers on its promise: reasonable prices, decent quality, and accessible skincare education.
For me, though, it was a good experience — not a lasting one.
I don’t regret trying the products. I’d recommend them to the right person. But I also knew, pretty clearly, that these wouldn’t be the formulas I’d commit to long-term.
And honestly? That’s still a win. Sometimes skincare isn’t about finding the one. It’s about learning what your skin responds to — and what it doesn’t.
