The INKEY List vs Lancôme
The INKEY List and Lancôme are two distinct skincare lines offering targeted moisturizers, serums, toners, eye products, and more. The British brand focuses on glycerin-driven formulas that suit combination skin and sensitive skin best, while the French brand thoughtfully incorporates glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and adenosine to care for sensitive skin and mature skin. These ranges differ primarily in their heritage and active ingredient blends, with the former providing specialized treatments like the PHA Toner and Azelaic Acid Serum, and the latter featuring restorative classics like the Tonique Confort and Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate.
The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.
cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com
Lancôme is a French skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1964.
loreal.comen.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com
This page compares some of the most popular The INKEY List and Lancôme products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular The INKEY List vs Lancôme products
People Say
Hydration and plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “bags are gone — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “gives my skin an instant dewy glow — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
- “keeps the skin soft and hydrated — Lancôme HYDRA ZEN”
Lightweight texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
- “absorbs almost instantly — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
Affordable price point 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”
Gentle formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
- “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
- “Never tight or stripped — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “Doesn't sting my eyes — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
Layers well and works under makeup Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
- “Brilliant makeup base — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “concealer applies smoothly — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream”
- “layers beautifully under makeup — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
Smoother skin texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Skin feels cushiony soft — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
- “Face is so soft, smooth and not puffy. — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Night Cream”
- “pores looked more refined — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
- “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “super expensive — Lancôme Absolue Precious Oil”
Packaging issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “dispenser stopped working — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
- “struggled to open cap — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
- “Hard to push and twist — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
- “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
Ineffective results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “did absolutely nothing — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “didn't notice much change in wrinkles — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
- “Did absolutely nothing — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
The INKEY List vs Lancôme routines for dry skin
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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
-
Cleanser
Crème Radiance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Tonique Confort
Morning
$62.00
-
Moisturizer
RÉNERGIE
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$180.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
$52.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy The INKEY List routine · $106.98 · 82% fit
Buy Lancôme routine · $370.99 · 63% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
The INKEY List vs Lancôme routines for oily skin
-
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
Crème Radiance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Tonique Confort
Morning · Once a week
$62.00
-
Moisturizer
RÉNERGIE
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$180.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
$52.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Génifique Ultimate
Evening · Once a week
$135.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy The INKEY List routine · $261.57 · 87% fit
Buy Lancôme routine · $659.39 · 67% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
The INKEY List vs Lancôme routines for combination skin
-
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
Crème Radiance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Tonique Confort
Morning · Once a week
$62.00
-
Moisturizer
RÉNERGIE
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$180.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
$52.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
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 The INKEY List routine · $254.57 · 90% fit
Buy Lancôme routine · $493.87 · 66% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
The INKEY List or Lancôme: which is better?
The INKEY List fits combination skin and sensitive skin with a Superior Lovi fit, and it is more affordable, while every product on this page lists no fragrance. Lancôme is generally more expensive and has a strong fragrance in many of its products, though it features a pleasant scent.
What is the difference between The INKEY List and Lancôme?
The INKEY List offers a more affordable price point and gentler formulas across the products on this page, whereas Lancôme delivers smoother skin texture. Reviewers note that The INKEY List features fragrance-free formulas, while most Lancôme products on this page include added fragrance.
The INKEY List or Lancôme for dry skin?
The INKEY List is a better choice for dry skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Lancôme's Average fit. Every product on The INKEY List page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, helping shoppers who want to avoid added scents.
The INKEY List or Lancôme: which cleanser is better?
The INKEY List is a better fit for cleansers on this page because its Salicylic Acid Cleanser offers High Lovi fit levels across multiple skin types, including combination, acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin. In contrast, Lancôme's Crème Radiance cleanser receives a Warning fit level across all listed skin types.
Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Lancôme?
The INKEY List is more affordable than Lancôme, as the products on this page feature affordable moisturizers and serums.
Which brand has better fragrance-free options, The INKEY List or Lancôme?
The INKEY List has better fragrance-free options because every product on the page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas most Lancôme products on the page include fragrance.
Do The INKEY List or Lancôme products layer better under makeup?
Both The INKEY List and Lancôme products on this page are rated equal for how well they layer and work under makeup.
The INKEY List or Lancôme for oily skin?
The INKEY List is a better fit for oily skin, offering High routine fit compared to Lancôme's Average routine fit. Reviewers also note that the products on this page from The INKEY List provide a more affordable price point.
The INKEY List or Lancôme: which moisturizer is better?
The products on this page show that The INKEY List offers much more affordable moisturizers with a high fit for dry skin, while Lancôme products on this page have a lower fit level for dry skin. Reviewers also note that The INKEY List provides great hydration at a lower price point compared to Lancôme.
The INKEY List or Lancôme for sensitive skin?
The INKEY List is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering superior routine fit levels compared to Lancôme's average fit on this page. Every product on The INKEY List page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas most Lancôme products on this page include fragrance.
The INKEY List or Lancôme for acne-prone skin?
The INKEY List is a better fit for acne-prone skin, offering High routine fit compared to Lancôme's Average routine fit. Every product on The INKEY List page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, helping soothe sensitive skin.
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
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
Spent Yeast Waste Streams as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides for Skin Applications
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
Design and in vivo evaluation of emulgel formulations including green tea extract and rose oil
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Darutoside promotes skin wound healing via regulating macrophage polarization
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Skin moisturization by hydrogenated polyisobutene--quantitative and visual evaluation
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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