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The INKEY List vs Simple

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

The INKEY List and Simple are British skincare brands offering targeted solutions for delicate complexions, with the former founded in 2018 and the latter established in 1960. Both brands feature glycerin to improve skin hydration and barrier function, yet they differ in their specialized offerings; the British skincare brand from 2018 is known for moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products utilizing key ingredients like PHA and azelaic acid, while the brand owned by Unilever PLC is celebrated for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners featuring niacinamide. These formulations suit sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and oily acne-prone skin best, addressing individual concerns through specialized products such as the PHA Toner and the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner.

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

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular The INKEY List vs Simple products

People Say

The INKEY ListSimple
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Affordable price point Mostly MentionedOften 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”
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Hydration and moisturizing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Lightweight texture and fast absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Makeup compatibility and performance Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “removes last traces of makeup — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “Melts away makeup and impurities without drying — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Acne and blemish control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “Skin instantly looks less oily — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “Visibly reduces acne scars — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
  • Packaging and texture issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “feels like a film — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Lack of hydration or drying effects Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “have dry skin but this doesn't feel hydrating at all — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “leaves under eye dry — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “need to apply multiple layers — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”

The INKEY List vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · A$220.70 · 84% fitBuy Simple routine · A$208.81 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The INKEY List vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · A$457.62 · 90% fitBuy Simple routine · A$388.80 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · A$381.72 · 90% fitBuy Simple routine · A$322.10 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Simple: which is better?

The INKEY List generally fits acne-prone skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, oily acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots at a Superior level, whereas Simple fits these skin types at a High level.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Simple?

The INKEY List has a higher fit than Simple for oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin. Both brands offer products that list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The INKEY List or Simple for dry skin?

Both The INKEY List and Simple offer a High routine fit for dry skin among the products on this page.

The INKEY List or Simple: which cleanser is better?

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser achieves a High Lovi fit level for oily skin and acne-prone skin, whereas the Simple Refreshing Facial Wash achieves an Average Lovi fit level for both skin types.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Simple?

The INKEY List is more affordable than Simple, as the products on this page do better for affordable price points.

Between The INKEY List and Simple, which brand is better for skin with dark spots?

The INKEY List is better for skin with dark spots because the products on this page have a Superior fit level for this skin type compared to Simple's Average fit level.

How do The INKEY List and Simple compare regarding fragrance in their products?

When it comes to fragrance, every product on this page for both The INKEY List and Simple lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand offers better makeup compatibility and performance according to reviewers?

Simple offers better makeup compatibility and performance according to reviewers. Reviewers note that Simple provides gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers that are effective and hydrating for daily use.

The INKEY List or Simple for oily skin?

The INKEY List is a better fit for oily skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's High fit level.

The INKEY List or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, The INKEY List performs better for affordability and features hydrating options like its Polyglutamic Acid Serum and Omega Water Cream, whereas Simple is noted for gentle, value-friendly formulas like its Hydrating Light Moisturiser. Reviewers frequently mention The INKEY List for providing lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers, while Simple offers well-tolerated daily hydration.

The INKEY List or Simple for sensitive skin?

The INKEY List has a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, whereas Simple has a High fit level on this page. Reviewers report that Simple is more gentle on sensitive skin, while The INKEY List offers a more affordable price point.

The INKEY List or Simple for acne-prone skin?

The INKEY List fits acne-prone skin better, achieving a Superior Lovi fit level compared to Simple's Average fit level.

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

How does it fit your skin?

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