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The INKEY List vs SK-II

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

The INKEY List and SK-II are distinct skincare brands defined by purposeful formulations and targeted care. The British line relies on glycerin to support sensitive and combination skin, while the Japanese house centers on pitera to refine acne-prone and dry, sensitive complexions. Both labels offer moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products, though they differ entirely in their heritage, core actives, and precise aesthetic. Readers weighing these options will find that each brand approaches barrier health through a unique cultural and scientific lens.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

This page compares some of the most popular The INKEY List and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The INKEY List vs SK-II products

People Say

The INKEY ListSK-II
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Glow, Radiance, and Skin Tone Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Price and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • General Effectiveness and Results Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Removal Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Melts away makeup and impurities without drying — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of Results or Performance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Scent and Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,470.10 · 82% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · AED 474.43 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,468.63 · 88% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · AED 776.59 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · AED 725.13 · 89% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,424.45 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or SK-II: which is better?

Both The INKEY List and SK-II offer effective options, with The INKEY List performing better for price and general effectiveness, while SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone. For routine fit, The INKEY List provides a Superior fit for sensitive skin, whereas SK-II provides a Superior fit for acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and SK-II?

The INKEY List is a British brand founded in 2018 that focuses on affordable moisturizers and serums with key ingredients like glycerin, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 that highlights its signature ingredient Pitera. Reviewers find that The INKEY List does better for price and value and general effectiveness, whereas SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone.

The INKEY List or SK-II for dry skin?

Both The INKEY List and SK-II are a High fit for dry skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that The INKEY List offers more affordable serums and moisturizers, while SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone.

The INKEY List or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, The INKEY List is better for price and value, while SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone. For hydration and moisture, the products on this page for both brands are equal.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or SK-II?

The INKEY List is more affordable than SK-II, as reviewers highlight its affordable moisturizers and serums while noting high price as a drawback for SK-II.

Between The INKEY List and SK-II, which brand performs better for glow, radiance, and skin tone?

Between The INKEY List and SK-II, SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone based on reviewer themes on this page.

Which brand has more issues with packaging according to reviewers?

According to reviewers, SK-II has more issues with packaging when compared to The INKEY List.

What are the key ingredients across the products for each brand?

The products on this page from The INKEY List feature glycerin as a key ingredient, while SK-II features Pitera across its products.

The INKEY List or SK-II for oily skin?

Both The INKEY List and SK-II achieve a high routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers indicate that The INKEY List provides better price and value, while SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone.

The INKEY List or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, The INKEY List is a better fit than SK-II because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior while SK-II achieves a High fit level.

The INKEY List or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II fits better as a brand overall. Lovi rates SK-II as Superior for acne-prone skin, while the products on this page for The INKEY List achieve a High fit.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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