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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 two distinct skincare lines known for thoughtful formulas built around glycerin to support skin health. The British brand features moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products that suit combination and sensitive skin best, while the Japanese line is warmly loved for targeted toners, gentle makeup removers, and deeply hydrating moisturizers that suit dry, sensitive, oily, and combination skin types. Both offer standout solutions for specific concerns, such as specialized lotions and serums for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin. They differ primarily in their geographic origins, parent companies, founding years, and the specific composition of their product ranges.

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”

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, non-irritating formulas, while The INKEY List offers greater affordability, lightweight textures, and better options for acne and blemish control. Sodium hyaluronate in hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

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

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

The INKEY List and Hada Labo differ because Hada Labo does better for hydration and moisture, while The INKEY List does better for affordability and value.

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

When it comes to moisturizers, Hada Labo tends to offer deeper hydration, while the products on this page from The INKEY List are generally praised for being affordable, lightweight, and fast-absorbing.

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

The INKEY List offers greater affordability and value for its products on this page, whereas Hada Labo provides strong benefits in hydration and moisture.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The INKEY List or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is unlikely to cause as many breakouts as The INKEY List, as reviewer themes show that The INKEY List sometimes causes breakouts and clogging while Hada Labo does better with acne and blemishes.

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

Hada Labo provides better hydration and moisture compared to The INKEY List.

How do the origins and ownership of The INKEY List and Hada Labo differ?

The INKEY List was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited. In contrast, Hada Labo was founded in 2004 in Japan and is owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Which brand is better for acne and blemish control according to the review themes?

According to the review themes, The INKEY List does better for acne and blemish control.

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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