Affordable skin care at Sephora! The Inkey List

Hello Friday Scoopers! Today we are talking about skin care and particularly we will be looking at the Inkey List.

In the past years, the skin care industry has been getting a lot of traction and the general public interest has thankfully been increasing. This means more and more men and women are taking care of their skin. People are doing their research and trying to put together a routine that fits their skin type. Even more curious is the shift in price vs quality perception. We always associated good skin care with a hefty price tag. We think these ‘good ingredients’ for our skin, must be so expensive. At least that is what we learn from high end brands such as La Mer, Lancome, Dior and so many others. But latest research proves that often times the high end skin care is not necessarily good, nor the best. Most importantly, these products have heavy fragrances and other ingredients which are either irritating to the skin, or help only on the short term.

This is where brands such as The Ordinary, The Inkey list, CeraVe and so many others have come into play and changed the perception on things. These companies have emphasized heavily on the ingredients and on very targeted skin care routines. The containers were no longer an important factor, all focusing on the quality rather than the looks. While back in the days we were being offered these ‘miracle creams’ that tackle every issue of the skin, we now have specialized formulas that help with specific skin conditions. In other words, this movement gave power is back to the consumer and it has been clearly successful!!

Today I chose to discuss the Inkey List, as they have recently been signed by Sephora. This is a big thing for Sephora, and it is a clear step towards broadening their customer base. The demand for newly and yet trendy brands products such as The Inkey List, Glossier, The Ordinary, Drunk Elephant, has been booming. So Sephora was in few words, out of the game.

Another factor is simply distribution, as the above mentioned brands do not deliver all over the world and many counties were left out. With Sephora being a global brand, companies like The Inkey List will be in a clear advantage compared to let’s say, The Ordinary, which is not available with ease everywhere. I tell you from experience, as I live in the UAE and it was always a hassle to get my hands on their products. For me, the partnership with The Inkey List changes everything.

About the brand

The Inkey List was founded in 2018 by Colette Laxton and Mark Curry. The brand came to life from the desire of making skin care easy to understand and approachable for every person. They promote their products though teaching their audience about skin care and as of January 2020, they have allocated a big amount of their marketing budget into full time skincare advisors, which is cool! You can also get a routine suggestion based on your skin care needs, which I quite liked for myself as well. You should give it a try at least for fun :)!

With minimal package, focus for ingredients and transparency, Inkey list has been a solid candidate in changing the way we see and perceive skin care today.

Top Products from The Inkey List

15% Vitamin C + EGF serum

This product is based on a gentle version of the vitamin C and because it is coming from a variant called Ascorbyl Glucoside, it will be less potent than a pure Vitamin C. This is great if you are just getting started with incorporating this ingredient in your daily routine and your skin is rather sensitive. It also contains EGF, which stands for Epidermal Growth Factor. This helps with elasticity, collagen production and your general skin brighter.

Q-10 Serum

Ok, so I was a bit confused about this one. Before the Inkey List, I never heard of Q-10 and what it does before. So what is it?

Q-10 is an incredible antioxidant that helps to repair and prevent sun damage and to make sure the natural face barrier is strong throughout the day. The serum is light and hydrating, so it also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It contains Syn®-Tacks dual peptide which increases elasticity, firmness and suppleness.

Another fantastic ingredient is Squalane, which helps to hydrate and protect skin.

Oat Cleanser Balm

This cleanser is combining soothing colloidal oatmeal with ceramides to support skin’s natural protective barrier, and it’s also formulated with oat kernel oil. It is a very gentle cleanser and it breaks up the make-up without damaging your natural lipid barrier. To use it, take a small amount in hands, spread it on your face and wash it off with water. After that, you may enjoy your baby face gals!

Beta Hydroxi Acid

Formulated with 2% Saicylic acid. It also incorporates 1% Zinc, which helps with the acne breakout.

It is perfect for acne prone skin and pore de-clogging. Can be used at night, but if you are having an oily skin, you can use it in the morning as well. Only make sure to apply SPF before you leave the house ☺

Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Salicylic Acid is an amazing ingredient or acne prone and oily skin. When used, it creates a nice and soft foam which penetrates and cleanses the skin. It does not contain sulfates and other harmful ingredients. If you need help with de-clogging your pores, using this cleanser will definitely be helpful!

Retinol Serum

1% slow release retinol compound, so it’s good for people that are new to Retinol and have sensitive skin. In general, when starting with this or any other active ingredient it’s better to start with a mild, gentle formulation. Overall Retinol is your best friend when it comes to age defense and should be incorporates in your daily routine!

Caffeine Eye Cream

A light-weight eye serum, that does not dry out your skin and relieves the water retention of the eye area. It incorporates Caffeine, Peptides, Squalene and Hyaluronic Acid.

What about you? Are you planning to try Inkey List?

Or have you tried already and can give us any advice? Make sure to comment down bellow!