Some By Mi vs The INKEY List
Some By Mi and The INKEY List are distinct skincare lines originating from South Korea and the United Kingdom, respectively. The Korean brand delivers serums, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers featuring niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid, while the British brand offers moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products built around glycerin. Both options suit different complexions, with the former favoring dry sensitive and dry skin, and the latter fitting sensitive and combination skin best. They differ primarily in their formulation philosophies, as the Asian line targets blemishes and hyperpigmentation with acids, whereas its counterpart focuses on hydration and barrier repair with glycerin.
Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.
kedglobal.compreqin.comtracxn.com
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 Some By Mi and The INKEY List products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Some By Mi vs The INKEY List products
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AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
€15.45
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Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum
€24.89
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AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam
€16.10
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AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
€32.70
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Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream
€18.30
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Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
€16.90
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Beta Panthenol Repair Cream
€19.25
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Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
€17.90
People Say
Hydration and Moisturizing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “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”
- “Lasts 100 hours as claimed — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum”
- “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Reduces pimples — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “cleared my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
- “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “Redness has lessened and the cluster of whiteheads... cleared. — The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum”
Gentle Formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
- “doesn't strip dry my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
- “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”
Skin Texture Improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “Surprisingly gentle — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “Skin feels baby soft — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
- “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Price 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”
Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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”
- “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
Dryness and Irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Skin felt tight — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “left my skin tight — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
- “have dry skin but this doesn't feel hydrating at all — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
- “leaves under eye dry — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
Sticky or Tacky Finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “leaves sticky film — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
- “Not a miracle — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “Leaves sticky residue — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “Feels tacky on skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Some By Mi vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€14.90
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Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.90
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
€12.59
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€16.10
-
Serum or Treatment
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum
Evening · Once a week
€26.35
-
Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
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Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€6.50
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
-
Moisturizer
Polyglutamic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€33.00
-
SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€13.80
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
€12.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
Some By Mi vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€14.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.90
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
€12.59
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Evening
€15.45
-
Serum or Treatment
AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
Evening · Once a week
€32.70
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
Once a week
€16.90
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Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€6.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
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Moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€10.00
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€34.30
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€13.80
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid Toner
Evening
€11.21
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
€12.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
Some By Mi vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€6.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Polyglutamic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€33.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€13.80
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid Toner
Evening
€11.21
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
€12.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
-
Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€14.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.90
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
€12.59
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Evening
€15.45
-
Serum or Treatment
AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
Evening · Once a week
€32.70
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
Once a week
€16.90
Questions and answers
Some By Mi or The INKEY List: which is better?
Both brands are great choices, but Some By Mi is a superior fit for dry and dry sensitive skin as well as dark spots, while The INKEY List stands out for hydration and value.
What is the difference between Some By Mi and The INKEY List?
Some By Mi provides superior fit levels for dry sensitive skin and skin with dark spots, while The INKEY List tends to be better for hydration and value. Both brands feature fragrance-free products on the products on this page and share equal routine fit levels for oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, mature, and oily acne-prone skin.
Some By Mi or The INKEY List for dry skin?
Some By Mi is better for dry skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for The INKEY List.
Some By Mi or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?
Some By Mi is well-suited for deep pore cleansing cleansers. The products on this page help provide effective cleansing.
Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or The INKEY List?
The INKEY List does better for price and value, making its products more affordable than Some By Mi.
Which brand has better options for skin texture improvement between Some By Mi and The INKEY List?
Some By Mi does better for skin texture improvement according to the products on this page, and it helps smooth textures with ingredients like niacinamide.
How do Some By Mi and The INKEY List compare regarding hydration and moisturizing according to reviewers?
The INKEY List does better regarding hydration and moisturizing compared to Some By Mi according to reviewers.
Which brand is better suited for addressing skin with dark spots between Some By Mi and The INKEY List?
Some By Mi is better suited for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates its overall routine as Superior compared to High for The INKEY List. Niacinamide, a key ingredient in Some By Mi products, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
Some By Mi or The INKEY List for oily skin?
Both Some By Mi and The INKEY List offer an equal high routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page from both brands feature formulations that help manage excess oil without causing excessive dryness.
Some By Mi or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?
The INKEY List is better for hydration and moisturization as well as price and value, while Some By Mi offers superior results for skin texture improvement.
Some By Mi or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?
Both Some By Mi and The INKEY List fit sensitive skin at a Superior level based on the products on this page.
Some By Mi or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?
Both Some By Mi and The INKEY List fit acne-prone skin at a High level.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Topical menthol--a human model for cold pain by activation and sensitization of C nociceptors
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
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
HelixComplex snail mucus as a potential technology against O3 induced skin damage
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 use of green tea extract in cosmetic formulations: not only an antioxidant active ingredient
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Allergy to oxidized limonene and linalool is frequent in the U.K
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
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
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic 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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