La Roche-Posay vs The INKEY List
La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List are well-regarded skincare brands that offer thoughtful selections of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and eye products. The French brand relies on nourishing ingredients like glycerin, thermal water, and niacinamide, suiting dry and mature skin best, while the British brand is built around glycerin and fits combination and sensitive skin best. Both brands provide effective solutions for specific needs, such as options for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and aging. Ultimately, they differ in their foundational ingredients and the primary skin types they serve.
La Roche-Posay is a French skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1989.
laroche-posay.com.aufr.wikipedia.org
The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.
cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com
This page compares some of the most popular La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular La Roche-Posay vs The INKEY List products
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “skin feels plump — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Only cream that doesn't sting — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
- “zero scent — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “doesn't clog pores — La Roche-Posay Anthelios”
- “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
Good Texture and Smooth Finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
- “absorbs instantly — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
- “lightweight and absorbs quickly — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
Skin Soothing and Redness Reduction Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Healed my surgery scar beautifully — La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5”
- “Calmed my skin after a chemical peel — La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water”
- “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
- “calms redness instantly — The INKEY List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum”
Affordability and Value Not notedMostly 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”
Skin Texture Improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Skin feels smoother — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
- “Skin feels softer — La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum”
- “skin feels velvety — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Packaging and Pump Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “pump stops working — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “Pump stopped working halfway — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
- “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “Very difficult to squeeze out at first — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
Strong Fragrance or Unpleasant Scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “scent is awful — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
- “overwhelming floral smell — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
Heavy, Greasy, or Sticky Feel Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “leaves a tacky residue — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “feels very heavy — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “sticks to my pajamas — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “Feels tacky on skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Ineffective or Lack of Results Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “didn't see any significant improvement — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
- “Weaker retinol product — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
- “Did nothing for my redness — La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water”
- “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
La Roche-Posay vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$24.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
Pure Vitamin C Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$54.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
$14.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
$13.69
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
-
Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
- Moisturizer Collagen Peptide Serum Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
$17.00
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
$20.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · $147.63 · 88% fit
Buy The INKEY List routine · $106.98 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
La Roche-Posay vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$13.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
$17.00
-
Cleansing Toner
PHA Toner
Evening
$18.00
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
$20.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
-
Cleanser
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$20.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$24.99
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
$20.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
$14.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Evening · Once a week
$39.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Effaclar Mask
Once a week
$21.97
Buy The INKEY List routine · $261.57 · 87% fit
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · $256.94 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
La Roche-Posay vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
Polyglutamic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$17.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
$17.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid Toner
Evening
$18.00
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
$20.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
-
Cleanser
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$20.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$31.97
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
$20.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
$14.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Evening · Once a week
$39.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Effaclar Mask
Once a week
$21.97
Buy The INKEY List routine · $254.57 · 90% fit
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · $264.40 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List: which is better?
Both brands are great, but The INKEY List is more affordable and every product on the page lists no fragrance, whereas La Roche-Posay does better for skin texture improvement and features key ingredients like niacinamide which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.
What is the difference between La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List?
La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List both offer effective options, but La Roche-Posay provides better skin texture improvement while The INKEY List is more affordable and has fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page.
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List for dry skin?
Both brands offer a High routine fit for dry skin on the products on this page. La Roche-Posay is known for its focus on dry, mature, and oily skin, while The INKEY List provides budget-friendly options with 100 percent fragrance-free formulas across all products on this page.
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?
Both brands offer solid cleanser options, but the products on this page show that La Roche-Posay provides more choices specifically targeting acne and oily skin with high Lovi fit levels. The INKEY List features straightforward formulas like its Salicylic Acid Cleanser, which also helps manage oily and acne-prone skin effectively.
Which is more affordable, La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List?
The INKEY List does better for affordability and value among the products on this page.
Between La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List, which brand offers better fragrance-free and gentle formulas?
La Roche-Posay does better for fragrance-free and gentle formulas, with 21 of the 35 products on this page listing no fragrance.
How do the origins and ownership of La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List differ?
La Roche-Posay was founded in France in 1975 and is owned by L'Oréal S.A., whereas The INKEY List was founded in the United Kingdom in 2018 and is owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.
Which brand has better performance for skin texture improvement according to reviewers?
La Roche-Posay does better for skin texture improvement according to reviewers on the products on this page.
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List for oily skin?
Both brands feature routines that achieve a High fit level for oily skin. The products on this page from The INKEY List provide fragrance-free formulas, while La Roche-Posay offers options containing fragrance.
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer moisturizers on this page that rate High for hydration, but The INKEY List is rated better for affordability and value.
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?
Both brands offer products for sensitive skin, but The INKEY List has a Superior routine fit compared to La Roche-Posay's High fit level. The INKEY List products on this page list no fragrance, whereas 14 of La Roche-Posay's products on this page contain fragrance. Topical panthenol helps soothe skin disorders.
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
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Ethosomes of Phenylethyl Resorcinol as Vesicular Delivery System for Skin Lightening Applications
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
A Bayesian network meta-analysis of 14 molecules inhibiting UV daylight-induced pigmentation
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Amino acid complex (AAComplex) benefits in cosmetic products: In vitro and in vivo clinical studies
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety of a clay mask in oily and acne skin
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Darutoside promotes skin wound healing via regulating macrophage polarization
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Effects of an ultraviolet B radiation absorber on photocarcinogenesis in hairless albino mice
In vitro analysis of immunoprotective effects of topical sunscreens
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.
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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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