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The INKEY List vs Shiseido

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

The INKEY List and Shiseido represent distinct approaches to targeted daily care through British and Japanese formulations built around glycerin. The INKEY List offers moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products that suit sensitive and combination skin best, while the brand is also known for specific solutions like its PHA Toner, Azelaic Acid Serum, and Ceramide Moisturizer. Shiseido provides a thoughtful array of moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, and serums tailored best for sensitive and mature skin through standout options such as its Treatment Softener, Benefiance Day Cream, and Hydrating Cream. While both brands rely on clinical findings showing that glycerin significantly improves skin hydration and barrier function, they differ in their heritage, specific product types, and targeted routines.

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

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

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

Popular The INKEY List vs Shiseido products

People Say

The INKEY ListShiseido
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Smooth and Luxurious Texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
    • “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Gentle Care and Soothing Mostly 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”
    • “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
  • 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”
  • Skin Brightening and Radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “faded pimple marks — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
    • “Eyes look more awake — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Fragrance and Scent Complaints 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”
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Texture and Finish Inconsistencies Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Stays tacky and shiny — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Felt powdery — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
    • “feels a bit oily — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”

The INKEY List vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The INKEY List vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The INKEY List vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which is better?

Both The INKEY List and Shiseido are great brands, but The INKEY List is better for shoppers wanting affordable skincare, while Shiseido stands out for luxurious textures and deep hydration. For sensitive skin specifically, Lovi rates The INKEY List as Superior and Shiseido as High.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Shiseido?

The INKEY List offers budget-friendly skincare with fragrance-free formulas that focus on gentle care, while Shiseido provides a more luxurious, higher-priced experience with strong fragrances and targeted anti-aging benefits.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for dry skin?

Both brands offer solid options for dry skin, but Lovi rates The INKEY List as High and Shiseido as Average for a dry-skin routine. The products on this page from The INKEY List are noted for being affordable and hydrating, while Shiseido leans toward a higher price point with rich textures.

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

The INKEY List is a better choice for cleansers because its products on this page avoid added fragrance, which helps shoppers with sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Shiseido?

The INKEY List is more affordable, as reviewers frequently mention its budget-friendly serums and moisturizers. In contrast, high price points are a commonly noted drawback for Shiseido.

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Both The INKEY List and Shiseido fit mature skin at a High level. Shiseido features deep hydration and firming moisturizers, while The INKEY List provides affordable serums.

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which brand has products with no fragrance?

The INKEY List has products with no fragrance, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, many Shiseido products on this page list fragrance.

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which brand is better for reducing dark spots?

Both The INKEY List and Shiseido fit skin with dark spots at a High level on this page. Reviewers note that Shiseido does better for skin brightening and radiance, while niacinamide in serums helps target pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The INKEY List or Shiseido for oily skin?

Both The INKEY List and Shiseido fit oily skin well, with a High routine fit level for the products on this page. The INKEY List offers budget-friendly serums and moisturizers, while Shiseido provides luxurious textures and deep hydration.

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

Both The INKEY List and Shiseido offer great moisturizers, but they suit different needs and budgets. The INKEY List provides budget-friendly options that help deliver deep hydration, while Shiseido features more luxurious textures and advanced formulas for firming.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

The INKEY List is a better fit for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Shiseido. The products on this page for The INKEY List also list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

Both The INKEY List and Shiseido fit acne-prone skin with a High routine fit level on the pages compared here. The INKEY List offers fragrance-free products with affordable pricing, while Shiseido provides deep hydration and efficient cleansers.

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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