celimax vs The INKEY List
celimax and The INKEY List are distinct skincare brands offering dedicated ranges of serums, moisturizers, toners, and more. The Korean brand is known for thoughtful formulations with carefully selected ingredients that suit sensitive and acne-prone skin best, while the British brand builds its products around glycerin to fit combination and sensitive skin. These labels differ in their targeted approaches, as the former relies on precise blends like heartleaf and BHA, whereas the latter emphasizes single-ingredient focuses such as PHA, azelaic acid, and ceramides.
celimax is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by ABSORBLAB Co., Ltd..
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 celimax and The INKEY List products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular celimax vs The INKEY List products
People Say
Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “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”
- “absorbs incredibly fast — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Skin stays soft throughout the day — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
- “gives a very beautiful glow to your skin — celimax Noni Ampoule”
- “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
Soothing, Calming, and Barrier Repair Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “calms my face redness upon application — celimax Noni Ampoule”
- “Helped restore skin after chemical peels — celimax Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream”
- “cleans deeply without stripping — celimax Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser”
- “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
Affordable 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”
Acne Clearing and Oil Control Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “Skin instantly looks less oily — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “great for oily skin but anyone can use it — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
- “effectively controls oil, leaving a matte finish without making the skin feel greasy — celimax Oil Control Light Sunscreen”
Texture Improvement and Exfoliation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “glass-like smoothness — celimax RETINAL SHOT”
- “skin feels noticeably smoother — celimax Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad”
- “skin feels noticeably smoother — celimax Ji.Woo.Gae Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad”
- “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Packaging and Dispenser Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “tiny — celimax RETINAL SHOT”
- “pump shoots out — celimax Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil”
- “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “Very difficult to squeeze out at first — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
Texture Problems and Inconsistencies Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “leaves a white cast this is not suitable for deeper skin tone — celimax Oil Control Light Sunscreen”
- “Felt a bit suffocating in summer — celimax Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream”
- “Pills if I apply foundation over it — celimax Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream”
- “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
Sticky, Tacky, or Heavy Residue Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “slight yellow tint — celimax RETINAL SHOT”
- “tacky finish — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Pad”
- “slightly tacky finish — celimax Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad”
- “Feels tacky on skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Lack of Results or Ineffectiveness Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “didn't notice pore reduction — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum”
- “results take time — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum”
- “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
- “did absolutely nothing — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
celimax vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 63.82
- Moisturizer Collagen Peptide Serum Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
SAR 75.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
SAR 129.00
-
Cleansing Toner
PHA Toner
Evening
SAR 232.00
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 149.00
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
SAR 234.73
-
Cleanser
Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 49.96
-
Hydrating Toner
Dual Barrier Creamy Toner
Morning
SAR 53.05
-
Moisturizer
Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 44.90
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
SAR 75.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 47.09
-
Cleansing Toner
Ji.Woo.Gae Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad
Evening
SAR 117.81
-
Serum or Treatment
Noni Ampoule
Evening · Once a week
SAR 34.00
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
SAR 234.73
Buy The INKEY List routine · SAR 1,013.85 · 80% fit
Buy celimax routine · SAR 786.84 · 73% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
celimax vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 63.82
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.04
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 107.76
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
SAR 129.00
-
Cleansing Toner
PHA Toner
Evening
SAR 232.00
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 149.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
-
Cleanser
Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 49.96
-
Hydrating Toner
Dual Barrier Creamy Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.05
-
Moisturizer
Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 44.90
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 47.09
-
Cleansing Toner
Ji.Woo.Gae Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad
Evening
SAR 117.81
-
Serum or Treatment
Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad
Evening · Once a week
SAR 76.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
Buy The INKEY List routine · SAR 1,267.37 · 87% fit
Buy celimax routine · SAR 921.56 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
celimax vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 63.82
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 166.90
-
Moisturizer
Polyglutamic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 86.24
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
SAR 129.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid Toner
Evening
SAR 88.54
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 149.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
SAR 168.77
-
Cleanser
Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 49.96
-
Hydrating Toner
Dual Barrier Creamy Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.05
-
Moisturizer
Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 44.90
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 47.09
-
Cleansing Toner
Ji.Woo.Gae Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad
Evening
SAR 117.81
-
Serum or Treatment
Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad
Evening · Once a week
SAR 76.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
SAR 168.77
Buy The INKEY List routine · SAR 1,056.73 · 90% fit
Buy celimax routine · SAR 762.04 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
celimax or The INKEY List: which is better?
Both brands are great choices, but The INKEY List is better for affordability and lightweight textures, while celimax is superior for soothing and barrier repair. Lovi fits combination and sensitive skin better with The INKEY List, while both brands offer equal fit levels for oily, acne-prone, mature, and dark spot-prone skin.
What is the difference between celimax and The INKEY List?
Both brands offer fragrance-free products, but The INKEY List is superior for combination and sensitive skin, while celimax is better for soothing, calming, and barrier repair.
celimax or The INKEY List for dry skin?
The INKEY List is a better fit for dry skin, giving a High routine fit compared to celimax's Average level.
celimax or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?
Both celimax and The INKEY List offer effective cleansers, with The INKEY List performing better for acne clearing and oil control. The products on this page help clean the skin without added fragrance.
Which is more affordable, celimax or The INKEY List?
The INKEY List does better for affordable price and value among the products on this page.
Which brand has better texture improvement and exfoliation, celimax or The INKEY List?
celimax does better for texture improvement and exfoliation. The products on this page help deliver smoother skin texture.
celimax or The INKEY List: which brand is better for soothing, calming, and barrier repair?
celimax is better for soothing, calming, and barrier repair among the products on this page.
celimax or The INKEY List for oily skin?
Both celimax and The INKEY List are good for oily skin, with Lovi giving celimax a High fit and The INKEY List a High fit. Reviewers note that The INKEY List tends to do better for acne clearing and oil control, while celimax may help with texture improvement and exfoliation.
celimax or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?
The INKEY List tends to be better for lightweight and affordable moisturizers, while celimax does better for soothing, calming, and barrier repair moisturizers across the products on this page.
celimax or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both brands work well because Lovi rates The INKEY List as Superior and celimax as High. The INKEY List tends to be better for lightweight texture and price, while celimax is favored for soothing and barrier repair.
celimax or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?
Both celimax and The INKEY List fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi fit levels rated High for both brands on this page. Shoppers often mention celimax for soothing moisturizers and texture improvement, while The INKEY List is known for acne clearing and affordable price and value.
celimax or The INKEY List for combination skin?
For combination skin, The INKEY List has a Superior routine fit, while celimax has a High routine fit.
Research behind their key ingredients
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens: focus on their safety and effectiveness
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
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
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
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
Morinda citrifolia Linn. (Rubiaceae) leaf extracts mitigate UVB-induced erythema
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
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
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.
-

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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