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The Inkey List interested me since it was released in August 2018. I was still using up beauty products so had put it on a back burner. Then in March, in the middle of the night (literally the night my beloved cat died) I went on Cult Beauty and ordered everything that I wanted to try. The Inkey List is a new skincare brand within which all products are priced between £5 and £15. Everything includes active ingredients at levels that work, simply formulated without fragrance or fillers. This sounded right up my tree. I did not buy everything just the products I wanted to try.

The brand’s unique name is word play on the, International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients’  the complicated, often Latin names of ingredients that you usually need translated. And so the INCI List became The Inkey List, ‘Your Beauty Translator’. The packaging is well thought out too.

Caffeine Eye Serum

This was one of the first products that I tried. It has a nice feel around the eye. My skin is sensitive and easily irritated, this product is  effective and a little gentler on the skin. I thought I would be continuing to buy this for my eyes, as they like it and the price is right at £8.99 and I have no issues with the packaging. This was 15ml and is loaded with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant benefits derived from coffee, which help to reduce puffiness, dark circles and prevent skin damage from free radicals, which can make dark circles more pronounced. Such a bargain at £8.99.  This is nice, but even though I used a very small amount, it caused milia under my eyes, so I will not be repurchasing.

Q10 Serum

Q10 is a serum that supplements the body’s own store of Q10, a powerhouse antioxidant which protects skin from damage caused by environmental stressors. As stressors such as pollution can cause the skin to age, the serum helps to minimise the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of ageing, while also hydrating the skin. For the price of £4.99 for 30ml again is not a bad price. My skin liked this too, so this has been added to my next shopping list.

Vitamin C Serum

This acts as a powerful antioxidant, reducing the impact of daily skin stressors such as pollution, while also actively brightening and evening out skin. Also shown to boost collagen production, Vitamin C Serum boosts your skin’s plumpness and elasticity. Sublime in its simplicity, this serum stars the stuff as 30% stable L-ascorbic acid, for minimal irritation and optimal benefits. This did not feel like a typical serum, it was very silicone which I liked. The only thing that I did not was the smell. But I also had problems with this product. In the morning, it made my skin very oily and very noticeable. As I am home all week, this was not a problem. But in the afternoon, my face would start to peel. So this product is one that I will never buy again. I did comment on one of their instagram posts and they contacted me straight away as this should not happen. I was advised to mix this with my hyaluronic acid. And I did but still had the oiliness and this was enough it was removed and destroyed. I am not wasting my time with products that do not work for me. At the price of £7.99 at Cult Beauty this a good price point to try this and see how you get on with it.

Retinol

Retinol helps to promote skin renewal and enhance collagen production, leaving skin brighter, smoother and more youthful-looking. This slow-release formula minimises irritation and maximises results, leaving fine lines and wrinkles minimised and skin tone more even than ever. This cost £9.99

Bakuchiol

Plant derived, and with antioxidant properties, this natural Retinol alternative helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even skin tone. This is formulated with the Omega-3 packed Sacha Inchi Oil and Squalane it also works to hydrate and nourish the skin. This cost £9.99

Hyaluronic Acid

Naturally found in our skin to maintain hydration, hyaluronic acid is a moisture-binding ingredient that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. Essentially a magnet for moisture, this formulation stars 2% pure hyaluronic acid to plump up fine lines and hydrate all skin types. I found this very watery and runny, and not sure if I would repurchase this in the future. This cost £4.99, still have other products to trial so not sure I would buy again.

Collagen Booster

A serum that works to make the skin appear plumper and firmer, to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Using the Matrxyl 3000™ peptide, this smoothing and hydrating serum mimics the effect of what natural collagen would do to your skin, helping it appear plumper and firmer. Syn-Tacks™ Dual Peptide also gives an added boost to aid a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This again very runny, but this could possibly be a repeat purchase. This costed £8.99.

Latic Acid

This gentle exfoliator is designed to help your skin appear brighter with a more even skin tone, while providing additional hydration. Lactic Acid removes dead cells from the skin’s surface, helping it appear brighter and reducing the appearance of fine lines. With moisturizing properties, and added Hyaluronic Acid, it can help to leave the skin softer and smoother. Recommended if you have dryer or more sensitive skin. This cost 7.99.

Polyglutamic Acid

Holding four times more moisture than hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid is a hydration powerhouse and then some. Unlike hyaluronic acid, the magical ingredient has large molecules, allowing it to form a thin film on the skin’s surface to prevent water loss, while plumping the appearance of fine lines and brightening lacklustre or uneven complexions. This was in a different container than the tubes that you would normally get with the Inkey List products. This cost £12.99. When using this, the smell put me off. It sank is quickly and I am on the fence as I do love my Vichy Mineral 89.

Multi Biotic Moisturiser

This moisturiser Multi Biotic is crammed full of good bacteria (aka. Pro-biotics), along with pre-biotics and post-biotics to balance your skin’s pH and promote a healthier complexion. The multi tasker also improves moisture levels and protects against environmental aggressors. All good for the skin. I introduced this to my face as a night cream. I had problem with the pump and it took me ages to get a little out of it. I had to give up in the end. I emailed Cult Beauty asking to send it back as it was faulty. And with what little came out, I was not a fan of the smell and not sure I would buy this again. This cost £12.99.

Hepta Peptide Serum

This serum is a serum that instantly blurs crepey skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time and hydrates with nourishing squalane. Ideal for mature skin with loss of volume, it contains a patented peptide sequence to boost skin renewal and help to promote your skin’s strength and vitality. I am in my forties with sun damaged, medical changed skin, so hoping to see some difference with this one. But this did nothing special and I saw no difference in my skin after finishing this. This costs £14.99

After my diagnosis of Rosacea, I had a long look at what I could try from this brand. I have to be so careful what I can put on my skin. So I will order the following when there is a sale on and after my beauty product useup. I will be happy to pay less from this products to see if they would work on my skin and not react to them negatively.

• Snow Mushroom
• Niacinamide Serum
• Rosehip Oil
• Kaolin Clay Mask
• Brighten-i Eye Cream
• Oat Cleansing Balm
• Ceramide Night Treatment
• Vitamin B, C and E Moisturiser
• Tranexamic Acid Overnight Treatment
• Retinol Eye Cream
• Peptide Moisturiser

And the new haircare for scalp treatments that nobody has done before in this industry. There are three scalp treatments and five for the hair. I have my eye on a couple so will see how I go.

Conclusions

The Inkey List is a lovely brand to try out. I can not recommend this brand enough. And you save so much money with the price of these products. You can try out various things and see if they react to your skin. This brand are always bring out new products. So who knows what will be out when I repurchase in the future.