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Dermalogica vs The INKEY List

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

Dermalogica and The INKEY List are distinct skincare lines created for diverse complexions. The American brand pairs hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid in its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks to suit oily skin and combination skin best. Conversely, the British brand builds its moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products around glycerin, making its formulations ideal for combination skin and sensitive skin. While both share an appreciation for barrier-supporting ingredients, they differ significantly in their founding eras, corporate ownership, and active ingredient concentrations.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

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

Popular Dermalogica vs The INKEY List products

People Say

DermalogicaThe INKEY List
  • Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “absorbs instantly — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
  • 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”
  • Soothing and Calming Properties Sometimes NotedOften 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”
    • “calms redness instantly — The INKEY List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
  • Oily Skin and Excess Oil Control Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't clog pores — Dermalogica Active Moist”
    • “Clears sebaceous filaments — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “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”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Unpleasant Scent or Fragrance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smells like medicine — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
  • Packaging and Dispensing Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Leaky pump — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “pump dispenses too much — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “spout is too big — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”

Dermalogica vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin

Buy Dermalogica routine · SAR 2,726.33 · 85% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · SAR 1,013.85 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Dermalogica vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin

Buy Dermalogica routine · SAR 2,796.23 · 91% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · SAR 1,267.37 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Dermalogica vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin

Buy Dermalogica routine · SAR 2,550.53 · 91% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · SAR 1,056.73 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or The INKEY List: which is better?

Both brands are great choices depending on your budget and skin type, with Dermalogica having a Superior fit for oily and oily acne-prone skin and The INKEY List having a Superior fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that The INKEY List is more affordable, while Dermalogica provides deeper hydration.

What is the difference between Dermalogica and The INKEY List?

Dermalogica is an American brand owned by Unilever since 2015, while The INKEY List is a British brand owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited. Dermalogica fits oily skin at a Superior level, whereas The INKEY List fits sensitive skin at a Superior level.

Dermalogica or The INKEY List for dry skin?

Both brands offer a high routine fit for dry skin. Dermalogica features a Superior fit level for dry skin with products like Circular Hydration Serum, while The INKEY List offers a Superior fit with options like Polyglutamic Acid Serum and Oat Cleansing Balm.

Dermalogica or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?

Both Dermalogica and The INKEY List offer cleansers that fit sensitive skin at a High level on the products on this page. Dermalogica cleansers help provide gentle, non-stripping cleansing, while The INKEY List provides affordable options.

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or The INKEY List?

The INKEY List does better on affordable price and value. The products on this page for Dermalogica have a high price point.

Which brand has better texture and absorption, Dermalogica or The INKEY List?

The INKEY List does better for lightweight and fast-absorbing texture. Reviewers often mention its products are lightweight, fast-absorbing, and good under makeup.

Dermalogica or The INKEY List for oily skin?

Dermalogica is the better fit for oily skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to The INKEY List which has a High routine fit.

Dermalogica or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer solid moisturizer choices, but they cater to different preferences and needs. Dermalogica provides rich options like Stabilizing Repair Cream, which has a High fit level for dry skin, whereas The INKEY List offers budget-friendly selections such as Omega Water Cream.

Dermalogica or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?

The INKEY List is a Superior fit for sensitive skin, while Dermalogica is a High fit. Reviewers frequently note that The INKEY List offers better soothing and calming properties.

Dermalogica or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?

Both Dermalogica and The INKEY List fit acne-prone skin well at a High level. For oily acne-prone skin specifically, Dermalogica reaches a Superior fit while The INKEY List reaches a High fit.

Dermalogica or The INKEY List for combination skin?

Both Dermalogica and The INKEY List fit combination skin with an equal routine fit level of Superior. Reviewers note that both brands help deliver effective results for this skin type.

Dermalogica or The INKEY List for mature skin?

Both Dermalogica and The INKEY List fit mature skin at a High level on this page. Reviewers report that Dermalogica does better for deep hydration, while The INKEY List offers a more affordable price and value.

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

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