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The INKEY List vs Minimalist

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

The INKEY List and Minimalist are accessible skincare brands known for straightforward, effective formulations centered on science-backed ingredients. The British line offers moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products built around glycerin, suiting combination and sensitive skin best, while the Indian counterpart provides sunscreens, moisturizers, and cleansers tailored primarily for acne-prone and oily skin. Both brands address specific concerns with targeted solutions, such as high-rated cleansers and sunscreens for breakouts or dark spots, yet they differ in their foundational ingredients and regional origins.

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

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

Minimalist is an Indian skincare brand founded in 2020 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2025.

m.economictimes.comunilever.combeminimalist.copersonalcareinsights.com

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

Popular The INKEY List vs Minimalist products

People Say

The INKEY ListMinimalist
  • Soothing, Barrier Repair, and Gentle Formula Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't make skin feel tight — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
    • “love the niacinamide — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
    • “zero smell — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Lightweight Texture and Fast Absorption 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 quickly and doesn't feel greasy — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “very moisturizing — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
    • “calmed it when my skin was super irritated — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
  • Acne and Oil Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “Skin instantly looks less oily — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “acne cleared up in a week — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
    • “keeps skin oil-free for hours — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Performance under Makeup and Sun Protection Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Melts away makeup and impurities without drying — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “leaves absolutely no white cast — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
    • “prevented tanning on vacation — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
  • 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”
  • Texture and Formulation Inconsistencies Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “consistency is like water — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
    • “smells like chemicals — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Sticky, Tacky, or Greasy Finish Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Feels tacky on skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Leaves a greasy film on face after washing — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “Leaves a tackiness that never goes away. — The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum”
    • “makes face very oily — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “cap leaks during travel — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
    • “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
  • Ineffective Results or Insufficient Moisture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “not moisturizing enough — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “face looked dull — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”

The INKEY List vs Minimalist routines for dry skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · $106.98 · 82% fitBuy Minimalist routine · $83.84 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The INKEY List vs Minimalist routines for oily skin

Buy Minimalist routine · $265.17 · 92% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · $261.57 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The INKEY List vs Minimalist routines for combination skin

Buy Minimalist routine · $244.65 · 92% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · $254.57 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Minimalist: which is better?

Both brands are great choices depending on your specific skin type and budget, with The INKEY List offering more affordable prices and lightweight textures, while Minimalist excels in soothing and gentle barrier repair formulas. Reviewers note that the products on this page from both brands generally avoid added fragrance.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Minimalist?

The INKEY List offers more affordable prices and lightweight textures with products on this page, while Minimalist provides better soothing, barrier repair, and gentle formulas.

The INKEY List or Minimalist for dry skin?

Both The INKEY List and Minimalist achieve a High routine fit for dry skin on the products on this page.

The INKEY List or Minimalist: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page show that both The INKEY List and Minimalist offer effective moisturizers, with The INKEY List performing better for affordable price and value, while Minimalist stands out for soothing, barrier repair, and gentle formula.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Minimalist?

The INKEY List does better for affordable price and value among the products on this page.

Between The INKEY List and Minimalist, which brand offers better soothing and barrier repair formulas?

Minimalist does better than The INKEY List for soothing, barrier repair, and gentle formulas among the products on this page.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between The INKEY List and Minimalist?

The INKEY List was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom, whereas Minimalist was founded in 2020 in India.

Which brand performs better regarding packaging issues, The INKEY List or Minimalist?

Between the two brands, Minimalist performs better regarding packaging issues as it has fewer related complaints on the products on this page.

The INKEY List or Minimalist for oily skin?

For oily skin, Minimalist has a Superior routine fit on the products on this page, while The INKEY List reaches a High fit level.

The INKEY List or Minimalist for sensitive skin?

The INKEY List is a better fit for sensitive skin, reaching a Superior routine fit level compared to Minimalist's High level on this page.

The INKEY List or Minimalist for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Minimalist has a Superior routine fit on the products on this page, while The INKEY List has a High 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

How does it fit your skin?

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