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The INKEY List vs Hada Labo

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

The INKEY List and Hada Labo are accessible skincare brands focused on effective formulations, with the British line established in 2018 and the Japanese range founded in 2004 by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The INKEY List relies on glycerin across its moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products to boost hydration and support barrier function, suiting sensitive and acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, Hada Labo is celebrated for its hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers that suit dry and acne-prone skin by delivering moisture without clogging pores. While both brands offer targeted options for concerns like acne, dark spots, and aging, they differ in their heritage and specific ingredient approaches.

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

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular The INKEY List vs Hada Labo products

People Say

The INKEY ListHada Labo
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
  • Affordability and Value Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “no irritation, no breakouts — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “calms redness instantly — The INKEY List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum”
    • “Skin instantly looks less oily — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “calms my redness — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Sticky or Tacky Finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Feels tacky on skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Leaves a tackiness that never goes away. — The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum”
    • “feeling sticky — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Causes Breakouts and Clogging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Packaging and Quality Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Prefer old version — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”

The INKEY List vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · A$204.04 · 97% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · A$220.70 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The INKEY List vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · A$412.15 · 93% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · A$457.62 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · A$378.28 · 93% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · A$381.72 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Hada Labo: which is better?

When comparing the products on this page, Hada Labo tends to do better for deep hydration and gentle, fragrance-free formulations, while The INKEY List excels in affordability and lightweight, fast-absorbing textures. Both brands offer fragrance-free options, but reviewers note that Hada Labo provides superior moisture for dry skin, whereas The INKEY List is known for value and versatility.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Hada Labo?

The INKEY List offers greater affordability and lightweight textures among the products on this page, whereas Hada Labo tends to provide deeper hydration and a more gentle formula. Reviewers note that Hada Labo is better for hydration and moisture, while The INKEY List excels in affordability and value, lightweight absorption, and acne and blemish control.

The INKEY List or Hada Labo for dry skin?

For dry skin, Hada Labo reaches a Superior routine fit while The INKEY List reaches a High routine fit on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Hada Labo excels particularly in deep hydration and moisturization.

The INKEY List or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

The INKEY List offers more affordable moisturizers, while Hada Labo provides superior hydration and moisture through products featuring hyaluronic acid. Reviewers note that both brands help deliver lightweight textures, though each may occasionally leave a sticky or tacky finish.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Hada Labo?

The INKEY List does better than Hada Labo for affordability and value, with affordable moisturizers and affordable serums being mostly mentioned by reviewers on this page.

Between The INKEY List and Hada Labo, which brand provides better hydration and moisture?

Between the two brands, Hada Labo does better for deep hydration and moisture across the products on this page. Topical sodium hyaluronate helps improve skin hydration and moisture retention.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which brand has better packaging and quality control, The INKEY List or Hada Labo?

Between the products on this page, Hada Labo does better for packaging and quality issues, while The INKEY List is more often noted by reviewers for packaging issues.

The INKEY List or Hada Labo: which one is better for mature skin?

Hada Labo is a better fit for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to The INKEY List's High level.

The INKEY List or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, both The INKEY List and Hada Labo provide a Superior routine fit according to the products on this page. Reviewers note that The INKEY List offers lightweight and fast-absorbing textures, while Hada Labo is well-regarded for deep hydration and moisturization.

The INKEY List or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. The INKEY List is particularly noted for acne and blemish control, while Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration and moisturization with its key ingredient hyaluronic acid.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

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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