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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 tailored to different routines, with the British brand focusing on targeted serums, moisturizers, and toners built around glycerin, while the Japanese brand is cherished for nourishing moisturizers, restorative masks, and gentle formulations powered by pitera. Both labels suit combination skin, though the former fits sensitive skin best and the latter accommodates dry sensitive skin. Ultimately, the brands differ through their foundational ingredients, with glycerin restoring barrier function and pitera improving pore area, roughness, and redness.

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

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,157.75 · 83% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · SAR 1,013.85 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 1,935.93 · 89% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · SAR 1,267.37 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The INKEY List vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · SAR 1,056.73 · 90% fitBuy SK-II routine · SAR 2,044.94 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

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

Both The INKEY List and SK-II are great choices, with The INKEY List doing better for price and general effectiveness, while SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone. For routine fit, Lovi rates both brands as High for dry skin, oily skin, mature skin, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin.

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

The INKEY List offers more affordable pricing and better general effectiveness, while SK-II performs better for glow, radiance, and skin tone. For overall routine fit, The INKEY List has a Superior level for sensitive skin, whereas SK-II reaches a Superior level for acne-prone skin and dry sensitive skin.

The INKEY List or SK-II for dry skin?

Both The INKEY List and SK-II are good options, as Lovi rates their routines for dry skin as High. Reviewers note that the products on this page provide equal hydration and moisture.

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

The products on this page show that both The INKEY List and SK-II offer hydrating moisturizers that fit dry skin at a High level. Reviewers mention that The INKEY List provides affordable moisturizers that are lightweight and fast-absorbing.

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

The INKEY List is more affordable than SK-II. Reviewers on the page frequently note affordable moisturizers and serums as key highlights for The INKEY List.

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

Both The INKEY List and SK-II perform equally well for mature skin, matching with a High Lovi routine fit on this page.

How do The INKEY List and SK-II compare for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, both The INKEY List and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level. Review themes show that SK-II does better for glow, radiance, and skin tone.

Which brand is better suited for dry sensitive skin: The INKEY List or SK-II?

Both The INKEY List and SK-II are well-suited for dry sensitive skin, offering a High fit level with the products on this page.

The INKEY List or SK-II for oily skin?

Both The INKEY List and SK-II are a High fit for oily skin. The products on this page offer equal performance for texture and absorption as well as hydration and moisture.

The INKEY List or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, The INKEY List is a better fit with a Superior routine fit compared to SK-II which has a High fit. Reviewers on the page highlight that The INKEY List offers affordable moisturizers and serums with no fragrance listed in its ingredients.

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

For acne-prone skin, SK-II is the better choice because Lovi rates its overall routine fit as Superior, compared to High for The INKEY List.

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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