The Inkey List: Part 3

By now y’all know how much I love The Inkey List. This British brand makes amazing affordable skincare formulations. Their textures are always on point. I’m ready to talk about round three of products I’ve tested. First up the Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel. This is a quick alpha hydroxy acid mask (AHA). Details per Inkey List:

Glow in 10 minutes. This next-generation peel is built for multi-level exfoliation and formulated to be hardworking but non-irritating. Antioxidant rich apple cider vingear helps brighten and reduce redness, while minimising the appearance of pores, post-blemish marks and reducing breakouts. Glycolic and fruit acids combine to smooth and refine skin texture for overall smoother, brighter skin.

Key Ingredients:

  • 10% Glycolic Acid: A powerful AHA that supports skin’s oil balance and natural cell turnover.
  • 5% multi-fruit acid blend exfoliates to reveal smoother skin
  • 2% Apple Cider Vinegar: Combines naturally occurring acetic acid to target blemish-causing bacteria and citric, lactic, and succinic acids for a more even-looking, radiant skin tone.

Directions To be used as a peel in the PM once per week, can be increased to twice per week if you skin can tolerate it, but be careful not to over exfoliate. Apply a thin layer to dampened cleansed skin and leave to work for 10 minutes before rinsing off using warm water. Pat face dry and follow with preferred serums and moisturizer. Can also be used on other breakout prone areas such as the chest and neck.

Ingredients

Aqua (Water), Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Acetum (Vinegar), Sodium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Lactobacillus/Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Fruit Oil, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Maltodextrin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Phytic Acid, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract.

 

This peel has a light gel texture. It has no fragrance and comes in an airless pump. This peel has quite the kick or punch to it. It has 10% glycolic, 5% natural fruit acids and 2% apple cider vinegar. This doesn’t smell like vinegar at all. It also has salicylic acid (BHA) to help unclog pores. This has a little bit of seabuckthorn oil but in general it’s not hydrating. I did find it doesn’t set as quickly or dry down like some acid peel gels. I didn’t find it as drying as I do some acid peel gels. It tingled quite a bit on me and I only tolerated five minutes the first use so always listen to your skin. Left my skin baby soft.

The Vitamin B, C and E Moisturizer is a lightweight yet nourishing moisturizer. Details per Inkey List:

This lightweight daily moisturizer delivers every essential vitamin for healthy-looking skin, including clarifying B3 (Niacinamide) to help balance oil, brightening antioxidant Vitamin C, and soothing Vitamin E. Perfect for normal skin types looking to keep skin healthy.

Key Ingredients:

  • Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): Helps control excess oil and the look of redness.
  • Vitamin C: Brightens the appearance of dull skin and increases radiance
  • Vitamin E: Soothes

Ingredients

Aqua (Water/Eau), Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lecithin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.

 

This moisturizer has such a nice texture. It’s actually almost gel cream like so it’s light and yet nourishing. I would give it a medium weight or hydration level. So it’s not heavy by any means. It is fragrance free like all Inkey List products. It has some nice basics like niacinamide, panthenol, vitamin C & E, sodium hyaluronate and coconut oil. you likely know how I feel about coconut oil in leave on products by now. It tends to be one of my arch nemesis in causing breakouts. But as all coconut oils are not the same I tried it out anyway. I didn’t get any breakouts while using this but I ended up really preferring this more as a hand cream for days. It was just kind of lackluster for me as a facial moisturizer. I prefer a more glossy kind of texture. I would go for the Peptide moisturizer by the brand over this.

I’ve been loving the Ceramide Night Treatment. This gel cream is really soothing and replenishing. Details per Inkey List:

Naturally found in the skin, Ceramide is the glue that binds skin cells together, helping the skin’s barrier feel rehydrated, supple and protected. This 3% blend of Ceramides works overnight at various levels of the skin to target dehydrated skin. This treatment is also formulated with a 2.5% multi-molecular Hyaluronic Acid, giving an all over surge of skin plumping hydration.

Key Ingredients:

  • 3% multi ceramide complex helps to protect and rehydrate skin
  • 2.5% multi molecular hyaluronic acid that helps to hydrate, plump and soothe dry skin

Directions Use 2-3 nights per week in the PM as your last step before sleep. Follow your usual skincare recipe, but replace your moisturizer step with this night treatment for an extra overnight nourishment. We recommend using Hyaluronic Acid prior to use to draw in more moisture. Once absorbed leave to work overnight and wash off the next morning.

Ingredients

Aqua (Water/ Eau), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Squalane, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, PCA, Polysorbate 60, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ceramide NP, Glycine, Alanine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Serine, Cholesterol, Valine, Xanthan Gum, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Ceramide EOP.

 

This has a fun texture. It’s a gel cream without a silicone texture or feel on the skin. It adds a really nice hydration level without any heavy feeling or pilling. It has ceramides, amino acids, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. Ceramides are lipids naturally found in the outer layer if the skin. There are nine. They play a vital role in your skins barrier function. This formula has two ceramides and I wouldn’t consider it a rich ceramide formula compared to others on the market. Sometimes I like a lighter formulation of ceramides. It’s also got amino acids which are hydrating for the skin, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate all of which are hydrating. This has a nice hydrating gel feel and I like that it plays well with others. If I was looking for a high ceramide product for barrier repair I would likely go with Stratia Liquid Gold, Krave Great Barrier Relief and Kate Sommerville Omega Serum (now DekiKate Recovery Serum). This is a nice affordable hydrating and soothing layer overall and I enjoyed it. I might repurchase it, I almost wish it was combined with the Tranexamic Treatment for a nourishing and repairing night treatment that also fights hyperpigmentation. A more all in one night treatment.

They have two facial oils. Rosehip & Squalane. Rosehip is a powerful antioxidant and is vitamin C rich, while squalane is similar to skins own sebum so it replenishes without being heavy or pore clogging. Details per Inkey List:

100% cold pressed, natural facial oil with antioxidant properties. Rosehip Oil helps to brighten and improve the appearance of skin tone and texture. Rosehip Oil is packed with essential fatty acids, Omega-6 and skin beneficial vitamins. It provides an overnight nourishment boost for dull or tired skin and helps tackle uneven skin tone. Beneficial for all skin types, it hydrates and soothes dry skin and contains Linoleic Acid, which can help to regulate oil production for those with oily or acne prone skin.

Key Benefits:

  • 100% pure Rosehip Oil for smoother, softer skin
  • Naturally contains omega-6 fatty acids

Ingredients 100% Rosa Canina Fruit Oil.

This natural skin oil helps to hydrate and protect your skin. A natural, super-lightweight face oil that improves skin hydration and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines. 100% plant-derived, this Squalane oil is lightweight, non-greasy oil that’s super hydrating for healthy, glowing skin. It can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and support oil control. So it’s a great choice for all skin types, from dry to oily skin.

Ingredients 100% plant derived squalane

 

These are single blend oils so they’re fairly straight forward. Rosehip is high in vitamin C so it’s great for brightening and antioxidant protection. It’s a medium weight facial oil. Overall for the price I thought it was a nice one. Squalane is a super light facial oil. Squalane has a very similar fatty acid profile to natural skin sebum so it’s tolerated well and easy to use for all skin types. I love how light squalane is in general. So if you’re looking for a beginner oil and want light go for squalane, if you’re looking for brightening and a bit more nourishing then go for rosehip. I tend to prefer a facial oil blend to a single oil so these aren’t ones I reach for often but I did like their textures and affordability. What you got for the price was good.

I’m excited they have a pigmentation fighter with the Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment. Details per Inkey List:

This overnight treatment targets hyperpigmentation, uneven patches and dark spots. It brightens your skin’s complexion, as well as aids the reduction of dark spots and uneven skin tone. Formulated with 2% Tranexamic Acid, 2% Acai Berry extract to promote even skin tone, as well as 2% skin brightening hero Vitamin C, it also boosts overall skin brightness and evens skin tone.

Key Ingredients:

  • 2% tranexamic acid helps to reduce hyperpigmentation
  • 2% acai berry extract helps to promote even skin tone
  • 2% vitamin c derivative helps to brighten skin tone

Directions Use in the PM as your last step before sleep. Follow your usual skincare recipe, but replace your moisturizer step with this night treatment for powerful overnight treatment for hyperpigmentation. On cleansed skin apply a thin layer to face and neck. Apply preferred serums, but no moisturizer prior to use. Once absorbed leave to work overnight and wash off the next morning

Ingredients

Aqua (Water/ Eau), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tranexamic Acid, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, 1-Methylhydanto- in-2-Imide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Olivate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lecithin, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Polysorbate 60, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sorbitan Isostearate.

 

I was so excited to finally try the tranexamic acid treatment. It’s a new trendy ingredient for treating hyperpigmentation. Tranexamic acid is actually an oral treatment for heavy menstrual periods. It also has the been discussed its ability to help topically with bleeding wounds as an off label use. It then got noticed as a topical for the possibility it has in treating melasma, the bain of my existence (and many others). Tranexamic acid has an anti-inflammatory action that inhibits tyrosinase synthesis in melanocytes. It also helps block the transfer of pigment from melanocytes to keratinocytes in the epidermis. Which is why it helps with pigmentation and melasma. I really love a tyrosinase inhibitor in a pigmentation serum. It just seems to work really well for me for pigmentation and my melasma. This particular product has a gel cream texture. It’s hydrating and has vitamin C as well. It layers well and never pills (it’s silicone free). This was my second bottle of tranexamic acid in a row (different brands though) and I’m really noticing a difference. For the price I feel it’s totally worth checking out if you have melasma or pigmentation issues. Plus you get a nice extra hydrating layer out of it. I would repurchase.

*Gifted by brand but all thoughts are my own.

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