La Roche-Posay vs The INKEY List
La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List are well-regarded skincare brands that offer a variety of targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and soothing eye products. The French brand, founded in 1975 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1989, features glycerin, thermal water, and niacinamide to suit sensitive skin and dry skin best. Meanwhile, the British brand, founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited, builds its products around glycerin to fit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. Both brands differ in their specific formulations and key ingredients, where the first utilizes thermal water and niacinamide alongside glycerin, while the second relies primarily on glycerin.
La Roche-Posay is a French skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1989.
laroche-posay.com.aufr.wikipedia.org
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 La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular La Roche-Posay vs The INKEY List products
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “skin feels plump — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Only cream that doesn't sting — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
- “zero scent — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “doesn't clog pores — La Roche-Posay Anthelios”
- “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
Good Texture and Smooth Finish 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”
- “lightweight and absorbs quickly — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
Skin Soothing and Redness Reduction Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Healed my surgery scar beautifully — La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5”
- “Calmed my skin after a chemical peel — La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water”
- “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
- “calms redness instantly — The INKEY List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum”
Affordability 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”
Skin Texture Improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Skin feels smoother — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
- “Skin feels softer — La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum”
- “skin feels velvety — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Packaging and Pump Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “pump stops working — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “Pump stopped working halfway — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
- “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “Very difficult to squeeze out at first — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
Strong Fragrance or Unpleasant Scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “scent is awful — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
- “overwhelming floral smell — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
Heavy, Greasy, or Sticky Feel Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “leaves a tacky residue — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “feels very heavy — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “sticks to my pajamas — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “Feels tacky on skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Ineffective or Lack of Results Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “didn't see any significant improvement — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
- “Weaker retinol product — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
- “Did nothing for my redness — La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water”
- “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
La Roche-Posay vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.06
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
- Moisturizer Collagen Peptide Serum Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
S$21.09
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
- Cleanser Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
-
Moisturizer
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$16.23
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
S$32.58
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
S$41.97
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
Buy The INKEY List routine · S$253.28 · 96% fit
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · S$104.01 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
La Roche-Posay vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.40
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$44.35
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
PHA Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$26.18
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
- Cleanser Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$43.56
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
S$32.58
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
S$41.97
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
S$16.23
-
Cleansing Mask
Effaclar Mask
Once a week
S$33.56
Buy The INKEY List routine · S$520.95 · 94% fit
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · S$248.55 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
La Roche-Posay vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
Polyglutamic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$34.59
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$30.49
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
- Cleanser Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$43.56
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
S$32.58
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
S$41.97
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
S$16.23
-
Cleansing Mask
Effaclar Mask
Once a week
S$33.56
Buy The INKEY List routine · S$411.40 · 94% fit
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · S$144.85 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List: which is better?
The INKEY List stands out for its affordability and texture, while La Roche-Posay excels in fragrance-free formulas and skin texture improvement. Both brands achieve Superior routine fit levels across all skin types on the products on this page.
What is the difference between La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List?
La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List both offer products on this page that help with hydration and soothing, but they differ in formulation and focus. Every product on The INKEY List page lists no fragrance, whereas La Roche-Posay features fragrance in some of its items. Reviewers note that The INKEY List does better for affordability and value, while La Roche-Posay does better for skin texture improvement.
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List for dry skin?
Both brands are great choices for dry skin, with The INKEY List rated Superior and La Roche-Posay rated High for routine fit on the products on this page. The INKEY List features hydrating formulas with glycerin across all its products, while La Roche-Posay offers nourishing options like Cicaplast Baume B5+ that help soothe dry skin.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser and La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser both offer high fits for acne-prone, oily, and combination skin on the products on this page.
Which is more affordable, La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List?
The INKEY List wins on affordability and value, as noted in the page review themes comparing the two brands.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List?
The INKEY List has more fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance. In comparison, La Roche-Posay has 21 of 35 products on its page that list no fragrance.
How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between La Roche-Posay and The INKEY List?
La Roche-Posay was founded in 1975 in France, while The INKEY List was founded later in 2018 in the United Kingdom.
Which brand performs better for skin texture improvement according to the review themes?
La Roche-Posay performs better for skin texture improvement according to the review themes.
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?
Both brands achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. La Roche-Posay offers fragrance-free and gentle formulas across many of its products, while every product on The INKEY List page lists no fragrance.
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer effective options, but The INKEY List features entirely fragrance-free formulas and better affordability, while the products on this page for La Roche-Posay tend to provide stronger skin texture improvement. Hyaluronic acid serums from both brands help bind moisture and improve skin quality.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015
La Roche-Posay or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?
Both brands offer High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page, but The INKEY List features fragrance-free formulas across all products.
Research behind their key ingredients
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
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Ethosomes of Phenylethyl Resorcinol as Vesicular Delivery System for Skin Lightening Applications
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
A Bayesian network meta-analysis of 14 molecules inhibiting UV daylight-induced pigmentation
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Amino acid complex (AAComplex) benefits in cosmetic products: In vitro and in vivo clinical studies
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety of a clay mask in oily and acne skin
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
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
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Darutoside promotes skin wound healing via regulating macrophage polarization
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Effects of an ultraviolet B radiation absorber on photocarcinogenesis in hairless albino mice
In vitro analysis of immunoprotective effects of topical sunscreens
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.
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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
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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