Anua vs The INKEY List
Anua and The INKEY List are distinct skincare brands offering a range of targeted moisturizers, toners, serums, cleansers, and eye products. The Korean brand features hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, and niacinamide to suit oily acne-prone, dry, and mature skin, while the British brand relies on glycerin to support sensitive and acne-prone skin. Both labels differ in their core formulations and regional origins, yet each provides specialized options like niacinamide for hyperpigmentation and glycerin for barrier restoration.
Anua is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by The Founders Inc..
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The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.
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This page compares some of the most popular Anua and The INKEY List products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Anua vs The INKEY List products
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Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
A$26.00
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Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
A$33.00
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Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
A$36.95
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PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum
A$36.00
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Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
A$22.00
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Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
A$35.00
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PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM
A$33.00
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Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad
A$33.40
People Say
Texture and Consistency Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Skin feels super smooth — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
- “melts into skin — Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream”
- “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “complexion feels so plump — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
- “leaves skin plump — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
- “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
Soothing and Calming Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Calms my redness instantly — Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner”
- “calmed my red spots — Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad”
- “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
- “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
Packaging and Value Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “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”
- “love the included tweezers — Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad”
Brightening and Glow Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Significant reduction in hyperpigmentation from acne scarring. — Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum”
- “glass-like glow — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
- “Gives a nice healthy glow — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
- “Visibly reduces acne scars — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
Makeup Compatibility Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “Melts away makeup and impurities without drying — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
- “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
- “makeup applies so smoothly — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
Breakouts and Acne Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “did cause major breakouts — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
- “New formula breaks me out — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “Caused cystic acne — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
- “Wrecked my skin barrier — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
Anua vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$19.00
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Hydrating Toner
Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
Morning
A$35.00
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Moisturizer
Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$42.00
-
SPF
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Fluide SPF50+
Morning
A$24.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$26.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$36.95
-
Enzyme Powder
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Once a week
A$27.00
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
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Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$35.99
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Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
A$23.99
- Moisturizer Collagen Peptide Serum Morning · Evening · Once a week
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SPF
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Fluide SPF50+
Morning
A$24.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
A$27.35
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$44.90
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Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
Buy Anua routine · A$238.92 · 85% fit
Buy The INKEY List routine · A$220.70 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Anua vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$35.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$34.66
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$36.00
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
A$27.99
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$80.43
-
Cleansing Toner
PHA Toner
Evening
A$43.80
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$44.90
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
-
Cleanser
Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$22.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Morning · Once a week
A$27.00
-
Moisturizer
Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$42.00
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
A$27.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$26.00
-
Cleansing Toner
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Evening
A$30.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$36.95
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
Buy The INKEY List routine · A$457.62 · 90% fit
Buy Anua routine · A$330.29 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Anua vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$35.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$42.00
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$36.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$30.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid Toner
Evening
A$37.99
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$44.90
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
-
Cleanser
Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$22.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$35.00
-
Moisturizer
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$27.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$26.00
-
Cleansing Toner
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Evening
A$30.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$36.95
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
Buy The INKEY List routine · A$381.72 · 90% fit
Buy Anua routine · A$295.30 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit
Questions and answers
Anua or The INKEY List: which is better?
The INKEY List is better for brightening and glow as well as packaging and value, while Anua performs better for skin with dark spots. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.
What is the difference between Anua and The INKEY List?
Anua has better brightening and glow for the products on this page, while The INKEY List does better with packaging, value, and makeup compatibility.
Anua or The INKEY List for dry skin?
Both Anua and The INKEY List reach a High fit level for dry skin on the products on this page. Anua helps dry skin with its key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while The INKEY List is also known for its hydrating and lightweight moisturizers.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Anua or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?
Anua and The INKEY List both offer effective cleansers, with Anua focusing on soothing ingredients like heartleaf and The INKEY List featuring targeted options such as the Salicylic Acid Cleanser. Reviewers note that Anua cleansers are gentle, while The INKEY List provides budget-friendly alternatives.
Which is more affordable, Anua or The INKEY List?
The INKEY List does better for packaging and value on the products on this page, with reviewers noting affordable moisturizers and affordable serums.
Which brand has better packaging and value?
The INKEY List does better for packaging and value among the products on this page.
Anua or The INKEY List for oily skin?
For oily skin, The INKEY List has a Superior routine fit compared to Anua's High fit, making The INKEY List a better choice. Niacinamide, which is included across the products on this page, helps control skin aging and pigmentation.
Anua or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?
Both Anua and The INKEY List feature highly rated moisturizers on the products on this page, but they cater to different skin needs. The INKEY List is particularly noted for affordable moisturizers that work well under makeup, while Anua focuses heavily on soothing and barrier support in its moisturizers.
Anua or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?
Both Anua and The INKEY List fit sensitive skin well, with Anua reaching a High fit and The INKEY List reaching a Superior fit.
Anua or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, both brands offer products on this page with strong results, but The INKEY List achieves a Superior routine fit compared to Anua's High fit. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation, and the products on this page from both brands contain no fragrance.
Anua or The INKEY List for skin with dark spots?
Anua does better for brightening and glow on the products on this page, and its Green Lemon Vita C Blemish Serum has a Superior fit level for skin with dark spots. Niacinamide may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer, matching the niacinamide-based treatments in Anua's range.
Anua or The INKEY List for combination skin?
For combination skin, Anua has a High fit level and The INKEY List has a Superior fit level on the products on this page.
Research behind their key ingredients
Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Effects of glyceryl glucoside on AQP3 expression, barrier function and hydration of human skin
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Emulgels powered by coco-glucoside: A stable and effective synbiotics delivery system for skin care
Darutoside promotes skin wound healing via regulating macrophage polarization
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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