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Anua vs The INKEY List

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

Anua and The INKEY List are distinct skincare lines, with the former being a 2019 Korean brand centered on hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, and niacinamide, and the latter a 2018 British brand built around glycerin. Both brands offer targeted moisturizers, serums, and toners, yet they serve different complexions best, as the Korean brand fits dry and oily acne-prone skin while the British brand suits dry and sensitive skin. They also differ in their standout formulas and key benefits, with the former utilizing hyaluronic acid to reduce wrinkles and niacinamide to lighten hyperpigmentation, whereas the latter relies on glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and restore barrier function.

Anua is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by The Founders Inc..

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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 Anua and The INKEY List products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Anua vs The INKEY List products

People Say

AnuaThe INKEY List
  • Texture and Consistency Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin feels super smooth — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
    • “melts into skin — Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “complexion feels so plump — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
    • “leaves skin plump — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
  • Soothing and Calming Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Calms my redness instantly — Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner”
    • “calmed my red spots — Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad”
    • “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”
  • Packaging and Value Rarely 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”
    • “love the included tweezers — Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Significant reduction in hyperpigmentation from acne scarring. — Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum”
    • “glass-like glow — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
    • “Gives a nice healthy glow — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
    • “Visibly reduces acne scars — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
  • Makeup Compatibility Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Melts away makeup and impurities without drying — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “makeup applies so smoothly — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
  • Breakouts and Acne Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “did cause major breakouts — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “New formula breaks me out — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “Caused cystic acne — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Wrecked my skin barrier — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”

Anua vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Anua vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Anua vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

Anua or The INKEY List: which is better?

Both brands are great choices depending on your skin goals, with Anua outperforming in brightening and glow among the products on this page, while The INKEY List leads in packaging and value as well as makeup compatibility. Reviewers note that Anua helps with brightening serums and soothing moisturizers, whereas The INKEY List offers hydrating and affordable moisturizers.

What is the difference between Anua and The INKEY List?

Anua and The INKEY List both offer fragrance-free skincare products, but they differ in their specific strengths and routine fits on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Anua does better for brightening and glow, while The INKEY List does better for packaging and value as well as makeup compatibility.

Anua or The INKEY List for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands offer products on this page with strong benefits, but The INKEY List achieves a Superior routine fit compared to Anua's High fit level. The products on this page from The INKEY List focus on hydrating moisturizers and barrier support, while Anua provides gentle toners and rich soothing creams.

Anua or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?

When comparing cleansers, both Anua and The INKEY List offer well-reviewed options for different skin needs, with Anua featuring popular choices like the Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil and The INKEY List providing favorites like the Salicylic Acid Cleanser.

Which is more affordable, Anua or The INKEY List?

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

Between Anua and The INKEY List, which brand is better for brightening and glow?

Anua is better for brightening and glow because its products on this page focus heavily on brightening serums and glass skin glow toners. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and control skin aging by suppressing melanosome transfer.

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How do the founding years and origins of Anua and The INKEY List compare?

Anua was founded in 2019 in South Korea, whereas The INKEY List was founded earlier in 2018 in the United Kingdom.

Which brand performs better for packaging and value according to reviewers?

The INKEY List performs better for packaging and value according to reviewers.

Anua or The INKEY List for oily skin?

Both Anua and The INKEY List fit oily skin at a High level. Anua features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, and niacinamide, while the products on this page for The INKEY List rely on glycerin.

Anua or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, the products on this page for Anua and The INKEY List both offer strong hydration, with The INKEY List specifically noted for its affordable and plumping moisturizers, while Anua focuses on soothing and barrier support. Reviewers frequently mention The INKEY List for hydrating and lightweight moisturizers, and Anua for soothing and barrier support in its moisturizers.

Anua or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?

Both Anua and The INKEY List fit sensitive skin well, but The INKEY List has a superior routine fit on this page.

Anua or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?

Both Anua and The INKEY List fit acne-prone skin with a High level on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Anua brings better brightening and glow, while The INKEY List features affordable moisturizers and 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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