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The INKEY List vs SK-II

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

The INKEY List and SK-II are distinct skincare lines anchored in targeted hydration and fermentation science. The British brand offers accessible moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products built around glycerin, suiting sensitive and combination skin best. Conversely, the Japanese house is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera, which suit dry and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, both differ primarily in their formulation philosophies and heritage, while each provides tailored solutions for concerns such as dark spots, texture, and aging.

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

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular The INKEY List vs SK-II products

People Say

The INKEY ListSK-II
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Glow, Radiance, and Skin Tone Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • 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”
  • General Effectiveness and Results Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Removal Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Melts away makeup and impurities without drying — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of Results or Performance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Scent and Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or SK-II: which is better?

The products on this page show that both brands have strong points, with The INKEY List doing better for price and value while SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone. Reviewers mention that The INKEY List offers affordable moisturizers and serums.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and SK-II?

The INKEY List offers more affordable pricing and better general effectiveness and results among the products on this page, whereas SK-II delivers better glow, radiance, and skin tone. Reviewers report that The INKEY List has packaging issues, while SK-II features packaging issues of its own.

The INKEY List or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands work well, with SK-II offering a Superior routine fit and The INKEY List offering a High routine fit. The INKEY List products on this page feature hydrating moisturizers that help deliver moisture, while SK-II leans on its key ingredient Pitera to provide great glow, radiance, and skin tone benefits.

The INKEY List or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page for The INKEY List and SK-II both feature well-reviewed moisturizers, but shoppers looking specifically for high hydration and affordability may prefer The INKEY List. SK-II provides moisturizers with a high routine fit for dry skin, though reviewers note that The INKEY List excels in general effectiveness and value.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or SK-II?

The INKEY List is more affordable than SK-II. Reviewers on this page frequently mention the brand's affordability for both its moisturizers and serums.

Between The INKEY List and SK-II, which brand performs better for glow, radiance, and skin tone?

SK-II performs better for glow, radiance, and skin tone. Review themes indicate that SK-II does better in this category compared to The INKEY List.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of The INKEY List and SK-II compare?

The INKEY List was founded in the United Kingdom in 2018 and is owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited, whereas SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

What are the key ingredients used across the product lines of The INKEY List and SK-II?

The products on this page from The INKEY List feature glycerin as a key ingredient, while SK-II uses Pitera across its product line.

The INKEY List or SK-II for oily skin?

Both The INKEY List and SK-II are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers find that both brands perform equally well for texture and absorption, hydration and moisture, and makeup compatibility.

The INKEY List or SK-II for sensitive skin?

The INKEY List fits sensitive skin better, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior while SK-II gets High. Reviewers mention that the products on this page from The INKEY List feature fragrance-free formulas.

The INKEY List or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both The INKEY List and SK-II are a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that The INKEY List helps provide affordable serums.

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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