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The INKEY List vs Shiseido

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

The INKEY List and Shiseido are two distinctive beauty lines offering thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and targeted treatments. The British newcomer builds its glycerin-centered formulas around straightforward support for dry, dry sensitive, acne-prone, and mature skin, while the historic Japanese brand emphasizes gentle daily care ideally suited for sensitive and mature skin. Both lines utilize key ingredients like glycerin, which clinical studies show significantly increases stratum corneum hydration and restores barrier function. Ultimately, they differ in heritage and specific formulations, giving you distinct paths to healthy, balanced skin.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

This page compares some of the most popular The INKEY List and Shiseido products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The INKEY List vs Shiseido products

People Say

The INKEY ListShiseido
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Smooth and Luxurious Texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
    • “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Gentle Care and Soothing Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “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”
    • “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
  • Affordable 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”
  • Skin Brightening and Radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “faded pimple marks — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
    • “Eyes look more awake — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Fragrance and Scent Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “smells plasticky — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Texture and Finish Inconsistencies Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Stays tacky and shiny — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Felt powdery — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
    • “feels a bit oily — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”

The INKEY List vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · S$253.28 · 96% fitBuy Shiseido routine · S$256.58 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The INKEY List vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · S$520.95 · 94% fitBuy Shiseido routine · S$355.43 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

Buy The INKEY List routine · S$411.40 · 94% fitBuy Shiseido routine · S$355.43 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which is better?

The INKEY List is better for shoppers seeking affordable prices and gentle care, while Shiseido is better for deep hydration and luxurious textures.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Shiseido?

The INKEY List offers much more affordable pricing and fragrance-free formulas, whereas Shiseido provides deep hydration with luxurious textures but comes at a high price point and often includes fragrance in its products on this page.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for dry skin?

The INKEY List is a better choice for dry skin because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to Shiseido which has an Average fit.

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

The INKEY List is better for everyday value and gentle care, as the products on this page are affordable and fragrance-free. Shiseido offers deep-cleansing and efficient cleansers with luxurious textures, though they come with a high price point and strong fragrance.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Shiseido?

The INKEY List is more affordable than Shiseido, as the products on this page are known for providing budget-friendly skincare options.

Which brand has more products without fragrance, The INKEY List or Shiseido?

The INKEY List has more products without fragrance, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In comparison, Shiseido has only 5 out of 20 products on its page that list no fragrance.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between The INKEY List and Shiseido?

The INKEY List was founded in the United Kingdom in 2018, whereas Shiseido was founded much earlier in Japan in 1872.

Which brand is better suited for mature skin and skin with dark spots according to their best-fit skin types?

The INKEY List fits mature skin and skin with dark spots well because its products on this page cover these needs effectively. Shiseido also focuses on mature skin and skin with dark spots, but The INKEY List achieves a Superior routine fit level for these concerns.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for oily skin?

The INKEY List fits oily skin better, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior while Shiseido is High.

The INKEY List or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

The INKEY List is better for affordable moisturizers, while Shiseido is better for luxurious textures and deep hydration across the products on this page.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

The INKEY List fits sensitive skin better, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior while Shiseido is High. Reviewers note that The INKEY List offers more gentle care and soothing, and the products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The INKEY List or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

The INKEY List is a better fit for acne-prone skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Shiseido's High fit level on this page. The products on this page help provide targeted care with options like salicylic acid and azelaic acid.

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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