The INKEY List vs Lancôme
The INKEY List and Lancôme are a British brand from 2018 and a French house from 1935 that offer moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products built around glycerin. The INKEY List focuses on targeted formulas like its PHA Toner, Azelaic Acid Serum, and Ceramide Moisturizer, whereas Lancôme is beloved for sophisticated compositions such as Tonique Confort, Advanced Génifique Concentrate, and Advanced Génifique Night Cream. Both brands suit sensitive and acne-prone skin best, yet they differ in scale and heritage as the British line centers on single-ingredient efficacy and the French house weaves together glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and adenosine.
The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.
cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com
Lancôme is a French skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1964.
loreal.comen.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com
This page compares some of the most popular The INKEY List and Lancôme products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular The INKEY List vs Lancôme products
People Say
Hydration and plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “bags are gone — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “gives my skin an instant dewy glow — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
- “keeps the skin soft and hydrated — Lancôme HYDRA ZEN”
Lightweight texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
- “absorbs almost instantly — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
Affordable price point 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”
Gentle formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
- “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
- “Never tight or stripped — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “Doesn't sting my eyes — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
Layers well and works under makeup Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
- “Brilliant makeup base — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “concealer applies smoothly — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream”
- “layers beautifully under makeup — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
Smoother skin texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Skin feels cushiony soft — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
- “Face is so soft, smooth and not puffy. — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Night Cream”
- “pores looked more refined — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
- “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “super expensive — Lancôme Absolue Precious Oil”
Packaging issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “dispenser stopped working — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
- “struggled to open cap — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
- “Hard to push and twist — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
- “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
Ineffective results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “did absolutely nothing — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “didn't notice much change in wrinkles — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
- “Did absolutely nothing — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
The INKEY List vs Lancôme routines for dry skin
-
Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$35.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
A$23.99
- Moisturizer Collagen Peptide Serum Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
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
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
-
Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$26.59
-
Hydrating Toner
Tonique Confort
Morning
A$90.95
-
Moisturizer
RÉNERGIE
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$179.72
-
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
Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
A$220.00
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
Buy The INKEY List routine · A$220.70 · 84% fit
Buy Lancôme routine · A$633.08 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
The INKEY List vs Lancôme routines for oily skin
-
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
-
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
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$13.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Tonique Confort
Morning · Once a week
A$90.95
-
Moisturizer
RÉNERGIE
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$179.72
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
A$27.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$80.43
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
A$75.95
-
Serum or Treatment
Génifique Ultimate
Evening · Once a week
A$429.00
-
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
Buy The INKEY List routine · A$457.62 · 90% fit
Buy Lancôme routine · A$1,051.88 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
The INKEY List vs Lancôme routines for combination skin
-
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
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$73.61
-
Hydrating Toner
Tonique Confort
Morning · Once a week
A$90.95
-
Moisturizer
RÉNERGIE
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$179.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$30.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
A$29.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
A$220.00
-
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
Buy The INKEY List routine · A$381.72 · 90% fit
Buy Lancôme routine · A$779.02 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit
Questions and answers
The INKEY List or Lancôme: which is better?
The INKEY List tends to be the better choice for shoppers seeking more affordable prices and fragrance-free options across the products on this page. Lancôme generally offers a more pleasant scent and better results for smoother skin texture.
What is the difference between The INKEY List and Lancôme?
The INKEY List offers more affordable pricing and fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page, whereas Lancôme tends to have a higher price point and includes fragrance in most of its items. Both brands provide effective options for hydration and sensitive skin, but The INKEY List achieves a superior routine fit for oily and acne-prone skin types.
The INKEY List or Lancôme for dry skin?
Both The INKEY List and Lancôme fit dry skin well, as Lovi rates the dry-skin routine fit for both brands as High. The INKEY List offers fragrance-free options and lower prices, while Lancôme provides deep hydration with a pleasant scent.
The INKEY List or Lancôme: which cleanser is better?
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser offers a High Lovi fit for acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin, whereas Lancôme Crème Radiance has a Warning fit across all skin types on this page. Reviewers report that The INKEY List provides a more gentle formula and a much more affordable price point.
Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Lancôme?
The INKEY List is more affordable than Lancôme, as reviewers often mention its affordable price point for both moisturizers and serums while noting Lancôme's high price point.
Which brand is better for skin with dark spots, The INKEY List or Lancôme?
The INKEY List is better for skin with dark spots because the products on this page achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for this skin type compared to Lancôme's High fit level. Reviewers also indicate that The INKEY List offers more affordable pricing.
Do The INKEY List products contain fragrance compared to Lancôme?
The products on this page from The INKEY List list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas 11 out of 14 Lancôme products contain fragrance.
The INKEY List or Lancôme for oily skin?
For oily skin, The INKEY List is the better option on this page, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Lancôme's High level. The INKEY List also offers more affordable pricing and fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page.
The INKEY List or Lancôme: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers, The INKEY List offers more affordable options that reviewers frequently mention for hydration and lightweight feel, whereas Lancôme moisturizers are known for a higher price point and deep hydration. Both brands provide products on this page that fit dry skin well at a High level.
The INKEY List or Lancôme for sensitive skin?
Both The INKEY List and Lancôme offer a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. The INKEY List features products on this page with no fragrance in their ingredients.
The INKEY List or Lancôme for acne-prone skin?
The INKEY List is a better fit for acne-prone skin, offering a superior routine level compared to Lancôme's high level on this page. The products on this page help provide gentle and effective care for breakout-prone skin.
The INKEY List or Lancôme for mature skin?
Both The INKEY List and Lancôme offer a High routine fit for mature skin. The INKEY List features products on this page with a Superior fit for mature skin, such as the PHA Toner.
Research behind their key ingredients
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
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
Spent Yeast Waste Streams as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides for Skin Applications
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
Design and in vivo evaluation of emulgel formulations including green tea extract and rose oil
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Darutoside promotes skin wound healing via regulating macrophage polarization
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Skin moisturization by hydrogenated polyisobutene--quantitative and visual evaluation
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.
-

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
-

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
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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