The INKEY List vs Allies of Skin
The INKEY List and Allies of Skin are British skincare lines formulated with nourishing glycerin and niacinamide to support varied complexions. The INKEY List offers accessible moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products that suit sensitive and combination skin best. Allies of Skin delivers thoughtful moisturizers, targeted serums, and advanced eye products tailored for dry and oily acne-prone skin. While both brands address targeted concerns like dark spots, acne, and aging through distinct formulations, they differ primarily in their ingredient focus and optimal skin types.
The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.
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This page compares some of the most popular The INKEY List and Allies of Skin products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular The INKEY List vs Allies of Skin products
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
- “nourished and hydrated — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
- “more like a spray serum — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
Skin Smoothing and Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Woke up looking well-rested — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
- “Absorbs instantly without sticky feeling — Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment”
- “Pores appear to be tighter — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
- “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Gentle and Soothing Formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “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”
- “Best retinol for sensitive skin — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
- “feels super soothing, doesn't trigger redness — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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”
- “sinks easily into damp skin — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
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”
Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “calms redness instantly — The INKEY List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum”
- “Dramatic impact on acne — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
- “reduces appearance of redness — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “Pricey — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
Packaging and Dispensing Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “pump head is fixed — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
- “bad spritz mechanism — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
- “Hate the pump — Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment”
- “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
Slow or Lack of 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”
- “still not impressed with the results — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
- “Have not noticed improved skin quality yet — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
Breakouts and Skin Reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “did cause major breakouts — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
- “New formula breaks me out — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “Slightly irritating... when I first started — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
- “rashes popped up on my neck — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
The INKEY List vs Allies of Skin routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.50
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
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Moisturizer
Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€56.90
-
SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€16.10
-
Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
€76.90
-
Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
-
Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€6.50
-
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
The INKEY List vs Allies of Skin routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.35
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€35.95
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€34.30
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€29.29
-
Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
€76.90
-
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
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
-
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
The INKEY List vs Allies of Skin routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€32.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€17.15
-
Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
€76.90
-
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
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
Questions and answers
The INKEY List or Allies of Skin: which is better?
The INKEY List offers more affordable pricing and lightweight, fast-absorbing textures, whereas Allies of Skin delivers superior routine fits across most skin types along with gentle, effective moisturizers and calming serums.
What is the difference between The INKEY List and Allies of Skin?
The INKEY List offers more affordable pricing and lightweight, fast-absorbing products, while Allies of Skin provides higher-priced formulations that score a Superior routine fit for dry skin, oily acne-prone skin, and acne-prone skin.
The INKEY List or Allies of Skin for dry skin?
For dry skin, Allies of Skin is a better fit with a Superior routine fit compared to The INKEY List which has a High routine fit on this page. Reviewers report that Allies of Skin provides gentle and effective moisturizers, while The INKEY List offers affordable options with a lightweight texture.
The INKEY List or Allies of Skin: which moisturizer is better?
The INKEY List offers the products on this page that provide affordable moisturizers, while Allies of Skin features moisturizers that are noted for gentle, effective formulas with a high price point. Both brands feature options that help deliver hydration, though Allies of Skin achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to The INKEY List's High fit.
Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Allies of Skin?
The INKEY List is more affordable, as affordable moisturizers and affordable serums are mostly mentioned by reviewers for the products on this page.
Between The INKEY List and Allies of Skin, which brand has better packaging and dispensing?
Between the two brands, The INKEY List does better for packaging and dispensing because Allies of Skin has more issues in this area according to reviewer themes.
How do The INKEY List and Allies of Skin compare regarding skin smoothing and texture improvement?
Regarding skin smoothing and texture improvement, Allies of Skin does better than The INKEY List.
Which brand features products containing Niacinamide as a key ingredient across its line, The INKEY List or Allies of Skin?
Allies of Skin features products containing Niacinamide as a key ingredient across its line of products on this page.
The INKEY List or Allies of Skin for oily skin?
For oily skin, Allies of Skin achieves a Superior routine fit, whereas The INKEY List reaches a High fit on this page.
The INKEY List or Allies of Skin for sensitive skin?
Both The INKEY List and Allies of Skin are great options for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for sensitive skin as Superior for each brand. The INKEY List focuses on affordable serums and lightweight moisturizers, whereas Allies of Skin offers gentle, effective moisturizers and calming serums.
The INKEY List or Allies of Skin for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Allies of Skin is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, compared to High for The INKEY List.
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
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yoghurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (F-YOP)
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
Effects of a Greek Yoghurt-based Complex on the Human Facial Skin Microbiome
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
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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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