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The INKEY List vs SK-II

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

The INKEY List and SK-II are distinct skincare lines anchored by specialized formulations and targeted ingredients. The British brand relies on glycerin across its moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products to suit combination and sensitive skin, while the Japanese counterpart uses pitera in luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing masks, and refreshing toners to support dry and combination skin. Both brands offer dedicated solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin. They differ primarily in their founding heritage, signature ingredients, and primary skin-type compatibility.

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

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular The INKEY List vs SK-II products

People Say

The INKEY ListSK-II
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Glow, Radiance, and Skin Tone Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • 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”
  • General Effectiveness and Results Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Removal Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Melts away makeup and impurities without drying — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of Results or Performance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Scent and Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$783.50 · 93% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · CA$118.83 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,101.33 · 91% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · CA$258.98 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,065.33 · 93% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · CA$206.30 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or SK-II: which is better?

Both The INKEY List and SK-II are strong options on this page, but they shine in different areas depending on what you value most. The INKEY List delivers better price and value along with general effectiveness and results, whereas SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone. For routine fit, Lovi rates both brands as Superior for combination skin, while SK-II holds a Superior fit for dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin, and dry sensitive skin, and The INKEY List holds a Superior fit for sensitive skin.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and SK-II?

The INKEY List was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company. Across the products on this page, The INKEY List features Glycerin as a key ingredient, while SK-II features Pitera.

The INKEY List or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit, while The INKEY List reaches a High routine fit on this page.

The INKEY List or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page for The INKEY List and SK-II both offer hydrating moisturizers that reviewers rate equally for texture, absorption, hydration, and moisture. However, reviewers find that The INKEY List provides better price and value, while SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or SK-II?

The INKEY List is more affordable than SK-II, as price and value is an area where The INKEY List does better.

Which brand has a wider selection of serums, The INKEY List or SK-II?

The INKEY List offers a wider selection of serums among the products on this page compared to SK-II.

How do the founding years and locations of The INKEY List and SK-II compare?

The INKEY List was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom, whereas SK-II was established earlier in 1980 in Japan.

Which brand performs better for glow, radiance, and skin tone according to reviewers?

SK-II performs better for glow, radiance, and skin tone according to reviewers.

The INKEY List or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, SK-II offers a Superior routine fit according to Lovi, whereas The INKEY List provides a High routine fit.

The INKEY List or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, The INKEY List has a Superior routine fit, whereas SK-II has a High routine fit.

The INKEY List or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands offer good options, with SK-II achieving a Superior routine fit and The INKEY List reaching a High routine fit.

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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