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The INKEY List vs Shiseido

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

The INKEY List and Shiseido are two distinctive skincare houses offering targeted moisturizers, gentle serums, and protective toners built around glycerin. The British brand focuses on accessible formulas suited for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin, while the Japanese house provides sophisticated preparations known for supporting sensitive skin and oily skin. While both rely on glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and restore barrier function, they differ in their heritage, with the former founded in 2018 and the latter established in 1872.

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

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

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

Popular The INKEY List vs Shiseido products

People Say

The INKEY ListShiseido
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
  • 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”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Smooth and Luxurious Texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
    • “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Gentle Care and Soothing Mostly 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”
    • “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
  • Affordable 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”
  • Skin Brightening and Radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “faded pimple marks — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
    • “Eyes look more awake — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Fragrance and Scent Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “smells plasticky — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Texture and Finish Inconsistencies Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Stays tacky and shiny — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Felt powdery — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
    • “feels a bit oily — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”

The INKEY List vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · A$220.70 · 84% fitBuy Shiseido routine · A$515.52 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The INKEY List vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · A$457.62 · 90% fitBuy Shiseido routine · A$737.92 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · A$381.72 · 90% fitBuy Shiseido routine · A$614.44 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which is better?

The INKEY List is better for shoppers seeking affordable prices and gentle care, while Shiseido is better for deep hydration and luxurious textures. For dry skin, the products on this page for The INKEY List have a High fit level, whereas Shiseido has an Average fit level.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Shiseido?

The INKEY List offers more affordable skincare with fragrance-free formulas, whereas Shiseido provides more luxurious textures and deep hydration with a higher price point. Both brands feature products that help improve various skin concerns, though Shiseido formulas frequently contain added fragrance.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for dry skin?

The INKEY List is a better choice for dry skin because Lovi rates its routine as High, whereas the Shiseido routine is rated as Average. The products on this page for The INKEY List provide hydrating moisturizers and gentle care.

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer solid options, but Shiseido excels with deep-cleansing formulas like Deep Cleansing Foam while The INKEY List provides budget-friendly alternatives like Salicylic Acid Cleanser. Reviewers note that Shiseido cleansers deliver deep-cleansing and efficient results, whereas The INKEY List products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Shiseido?

The INKEY List is more affordable, as reviewers on this page frequently mention its affordable moisturizers and serums. In contrast, reviewers note that Shiseido has a high price point.

How do the fragrance levels compare between The INKEY List and Shiseido products?

The INKEY List has no fragrance in any of the products on this page, while Shiseido includes fragrance in 15 of its 20 products.

Which brand performs better for skin brightening and radiance, The INKEY List or Shiseido?

Shiseido performs better for skin brightening and radiance. Reviewers often mention improved radiance for Shiseido, and the products on this page help brighten skin with ingredients like niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What are the key ingredients found across products from both The INKEY List and Shiseido?

Glycerin is found across the products on this page from both The INKEY List and Shiseido. Shiseido products on this page also feature hyaluronic acid as a key ingredient.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for oily skin?

For oily skin, both The INKEY List and Shiseido work well, but The INKEY List is a better fit with a Superior routine fit compared to Shiseido's High fit level.

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

The INKEY List offers better moisturizers for shoppers seeking affordability and lightweight hydration. Reviewers note that the products on this page provide deep hydration and luxurious textures.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

Both The INKEY List and Shiseido offer products with a high routine fit for sensitive skin on this page, but The INKEY List achieves a Superior fit level for this skin type overall. The INKEY List products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, while several Shiseido products contain added fragrance.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

The INKEY List is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Shiseido's High fit level. The products on this page help provide gentle care and soothing, whereas Shiseido reviewers frequently mention a strong fragrance that may cause skin irritation.

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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