The INKEY List vs Biore
The INKEY List and Biore are well-regarded skincare brands with distinct focal points. The British line, founded in 2018, offers moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products built around glycerin, suiting combination and sensitive skin best. Conversely, the Japanese brand, established in 1980, is globally known for sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers with balanced formulas that fit oily and combination skin. While both provide targeted options for concerns like acne, dark spots, and aging, they differ primarily in their core formulations and regional heritage.
The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.
cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com
Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.
This page compares some of the most popular The INKEY List and Biore products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular The INKEY List vs Biore products
People Say
Lightweight 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”
- “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Cleansing and Deep Clean Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “Minimal effort required — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
General Performance and Efficacy Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
- “bags are gone — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
- “Leaves skin feeling clean — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
Makeup Compatibility and Removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “primer-like — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “Removes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “Works in shower, effective on wet hands/face. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “Melts away makeup and impurities without drying — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
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”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
- “Skin feels instantly hydrated, nourished and looks more glowing — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
- “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Skin Irritation and Dryness Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Leaves my skin a bit dry — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “feels very drying — The INKEY List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum”
- “felt tight after — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
- “Made my skin peel — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
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”
- “Doesn't get all blackheads — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Doesn't shrink pores — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
Fragrance and Scent Issues 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”
- “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
The INKEY List vs Biore routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
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Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
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Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$22.00
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
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 Biore routine · $141.68 · 89% fit
Buy The INKEY List routine · $106.98 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
The INKEY List vs Biore routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
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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
Buy Biore routine · $315.98 · 94% fit
Buy The INKEY List routine · $261.57 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
The INKEY List vs Biore routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
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
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
Buy Biore routine · $307.57 · 94% fit
Buy The INKEY List routine · $254.57 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
The INKEY List or Biore: which is better?
The INKEY List and Biore both have their strengths, with The INKEY List doing better for affordable price and value, hydration and moisture, and lightweight texture, while Biore does better for cleansing and deep clean, and makeup compatibility and removal.
What is the difference between The INKEY List and Biore?
The INKEY List offers a wide range of affordable moisturizers and serums with lightweight textures, while Biore focuses on products like cleansers and pore strips that excel in deep cleansing and makeup removal. Both brands fit various skin types well, but The INKEY List features specific formulas for combination, sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Biore is often chosen for oily and acne-prone routines.
The INKEY List or Biore for dry skin?
For dry skin, both The INKEY List and Biore have a High routine fit level on this page. Reviewers note that the products on this page for The INKEY List offer good hydration and moisture.
The INKEY List or Biore: which cleanser is better?
The INKEY List offers the Salicylic Acid Cleanser and Oat Cleansing Balm, whereas Biore provides the Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser and Makeup Remover Perfect Oil on this page.
Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Biore?
The INKEY List does better for affordable price and value than Biore.
Between The INKEY List and Biore, which brand has better lightweight texture performance?
Between The INKEY List and Biore, The INKEY List does better for lightweight texture.
How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between The INKEY List and Biore?
The INKEY List was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom, while Biore was founded earlier in 1980 in Japan.
Which brand performs better for makeup compatibility and removal according to review themes?
Biore performs better for makeup compatibility and removal according to review themes.
The INKEY List or Biore for oily skin?
Biore is a better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for The INKEY List.
The INKEY List or Biore for sensitive skin?
Both The INKEY List and Biore fit sensitive skin with a Lovi fit level of Superior. The products on this page for The INKEY List feature no fragrance in their ingredients.
The INKEY List or Biore for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Biore achieves a Superior routine fit, while The INKEY List reaches a High fit level.
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
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Darutoside promotes skin wound healing via regulating macrophage polarization
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
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
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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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
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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