At The INKEY List, we know that understanding how to layer skincare products can be confusing so we’ve broken down all your skin care routine steps.

Building the perfect skincare routine can be a process. When you’re battling breakouts or targeting concerns such as fine lines or hyperpigmentation, it can be tempting to pile on the products. Whilst layering is essential, it’s important to keep an eye on products which clash and could cause irritation and worsen concerns for the skin. Here’s how to incorporate your key ingredients whilst being conscious of your skin.

Collagen within skincare has been a talking point within the beauty industry as a whole. But what does collagen actually do, and how can you include it in your regimen?

Keeping your skin pH balanced and at a consistent level will help support healthy skin. The products you use in your skincare routine can have an impact on your pH levels, along with other factors, so it’s useful to understand what you can do to maintain a healthy balance.

For some, emulating the glowing, radiant look can feel impossible, especially if you experience dryness, dullness, or blemishes. However, at the core of glowing skin is a good, comprehensive skincare routine built around effective cleansing, suitable treatments, and comforting nourishment. 

It’s fair to say that acne is usually associated with oily skin, or those with normal to combination skin who also experience excess oil. It is less common, but dry skin types can absolutely experience acne, and it can be a hard situation to address – particularly when deciding which skincare to use.

If you experience sensitivity in your skin but want the benefits of Retinol, the plant derived alternative Bakuchiol may be a good substitute. With antioxidant properties, Bakuchiol Serum embodies many of the properties of its Vitamin A counterpart and works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and a highly effective skincare hero that targets a multitude of concerns. Best known for targeting redness, excess oil and enlarged pores, Niacinamide can also be an anti-inflammatory and reduce the appearance of blemishes. 

They may feel like a quick and efficient way to cleanse the skin but could face wipes actually be doing more harm than good?

As we age, our skin can change and natural cell production and regeneration begins to slow down which brings new concerns to the surface. This generally begins to take place from the age 25+ , which is when we recommend introducing and adjusting your regimen to support cell rejuvenation. 

Skin hyperpigmentation can appear in several different forms, and it can sometimes be difficult to know what has caused it and where it has come from. Read on to discover which type you may have, along with the best ingredients and products to target the condition.

Acne is one of the most common (not to mention frustrating) skin concerns, but many people feel confused about what causes it and (most importantly) what you can do about it. With a consistent routine and effective ingredients, you can fight acne and maintain clear skin—all for under $19.

What if one product could totally transform your skin? Even better, what if it could do it in 30 days?  Meet the $11.49 best-selling Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

We don’t know who needs to hear this, but effective skin care doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re paying more than $19 for these five ingredients—you’re paying way too much. 

Tranexamic Acid is our go to ingredient to treat pigmentation concerns - whether that’s uneven tone, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, dark/light patches or scarring from acne and breakouts. Find out more about the benefits of Tranexamic Acid, how to use it and what other products you can use alongside to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and scarring.

When we adjust and update our skincare routine regularly, it can mean some products get pushed to the back of the shelf. Whilst most products can last a number of years unopened, skincare products do also have a recommended use by date.

The wide range of acids available within skincare all come with a range of benefits that differentiate them from each other. Learn more about the use of acids in skincare, the differences between them and which acids are suitable for you.

Pilling refers to a residual build up on the surface of the skin from the application of cosmetic products, make up or skincare. It occurs when something is preventing a product being absorbed into the skin and leaving small blobs, gritty balls or flakes. Find out what can cause pilling and how to prevent it when applying your skincare routine.

The product and its stage in your routine can define the amount that we need to apply to the skin. We’ve created this handy sizing reference guide for each stage of your skin care routine of how much to apply.

The term antioxidant appears everywhere, from our food to our face creams. Antioxidants are beneficial to our bodies because of the role they play in combating imbalance of free radicals and promoting good health - this includes on the skin. Learn about what INKEY list products contain antioxidant properties

You may be familiar with the terms ‘clinically tested’ and ‘dermatologically tested’ associated with skincare which are two ways brands can deepen their testing of their products. But what do these mean? Find our more here

If you’ve been exfoliating more than usual or using several actives in one go (think acids, retinols etc), you may experience certain symptoms that will point to over-exfoliation.  The most obvious symptoms include redness and irritation at the skin’s surface, which may also manifest through burning and inflammation. Learn how to prevent over-exfoliation and how to take care of skin that has been over-exfoliated

Investing in skincare (whether it’s money or time) means putting your hope and faithtrust into products to really make a difference to skin. But how long should you give them to make a difference? Find our more in our latest blog

At the INKEY List, we say Hyaluronic Acid is a must have ingredient because it is the foundation hydration ingredient. If your skin is hydrated, it can effectively absorb more products you layer on top and have a bigger impact on the skin. We are here to discuss the pros and cons, as well as assessing if it all it’s cracked up to be, with INKEY co-founder Mark Curry, digital creator Nadine Baggott and Dr Adeline Kikam. Here’s everything you need to know…

Succinic acid is naturally anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, meaning it works well to curb acne symptoms, where skin suffers redness, irritation and inflammation. Learn more about the benefits Succinic Acid has and how to use it in your skincare routine

Introducing your new hyperpigmentation hero - Mandelic Acid. A member of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family, we’ve formulated this gentle treatment to target marks and scarring caused by breakouts as well as pigmentation concerns. 

Congestion in the skin can be a precursor to acne and breakouts. We often receive your concerns around blocked pores but let’s explore skin congestion, its causes and ways to prevent it.

Keeping pores clean and clear is a fundamental objective within most skincare routines - whether it’s to reduce breakouts, brighten the tone or even the texture. Whatever your reason, there are varying degrees of treatments and products available to serve this cause - including the classic pore strip. We explain how pore strips work, how they can cause damage to the skin and some INKEY alternatives you can use to unclog pores and get rid of blackheads

It can be tempting to reorganise your routine and incorporate your new additions straight away - BUT we have some important advice which your skin will thank us for. Learn more about why it's important to patch test before using new products and how is best to perform a patch test to avoid any risk of irritation.ski

Whilst it’s typically seen as a condition that dominates the hormone charged teenage years, acne isn’t age discriminatory and can also appear in its adult form age 25+ and even into the 30s and 40s. Learn more about what causes acne and how to target and treat adult acne.

Acne is one of the main concerns we hear about at askINKEY. Prevention is the best cure for acne, here’s our top tips to help you treat your breakouts.

Navigating the world of acne can be a maze of different types and manifestations - from nodules to papules and a variety of comedones in between. To treat effectively, it’s important to know what you’re working with first. Learn more about the types of acne and the INKEY List product that can help you achieve your clearest skin.

However tempting it is, popping pimples can do more damage than good if extractions are not done professionally. Blemishes closer to the surface of our skin such as whiteheads and blackheads come with less risk factor than deeper rooted and inflamed breakouts but can still impact the healing process and spread bacteria. However tempting it is, popping pimples can do more damage than good if extractions are not done professionally.

It’s a common skincare myth to assume that moisturizers and oils will increase the shine on already oily skin types and add to acne breakouts. Before you skip this essential step, we explore how these products can work with your skin to actually balance oil production as opposed to adding to it.

Contrary to popular belief, SPF (sun protection factor) is not just for the summertime. While the Summer time is of course an important time of year to be extra diligent with sun cream application, you should really be applying yours year round, come rain or shine. Learn more about the benefits of sun protection here.

Rather than a skin concern like dehydration, ‘combination’ is a skin type, just as oily and dry are. It is characterized by oily, dry, and even some ‘normal’-feeling areas of the face, meaning it can often feel a little harder to treat as a whole. Find out how you can tell if you have combination skin, what causes it and the best INKEY List products to use in your skincare routine.

The Inkey List co-founder Mark Curry chats to Dermatologist Dr Liu and beauty expert Sali Hughes about all things retinol. Here’s everything you need to know…

Toners are an excellent step to add into your routine as they work to deliver a range of benefits to skin and come in all different forms. Learn what a toner is, how to use one in your routine and more.

There are so many different ways to store skincare these days, but after you’ve decided the type of shelving unit or boxes you’d like to suit your aesthetic, there are certain rules to bear in mind when deciding where to house them. Find out more here.

Whatever workout you’re about to take on, we’d recommend going into your session with a fresh, clean face and once done, helping your skin return to its' cleansed and balanced state. Find out what we recommend to use before and after a workout.

Dark circles under the eyes tend to be a tell-tale sign of a lack of sleep and fatigue but can also be indicators of overall imbalance to your wellbeing. Located beneath the lower lid and accompanied puffiness, they can appear as a shadow from puffy eyelids or as a dull coloring and/or sunkenness beneath the eye. Find out which INKEY List eye creams are best suited to target dark circles here.

When we think of the microbiome, the word may draw us to the world of digestion and gut health, but what about the microbiome of your skin? Learn what a Microbiome is, what can cause disruption to your Microbiome and what you can do to support it to achieve your best skin.

Facial hairs and their follicles are a fundamental part of our skin’s structure. Connected to the sebaceous glands which produce oil, facial hair can create its own array of skin concerns requiring some adjustments and additions to our overall facial routine. Typically, it’s advisable to maintain your normal skincare regime through to the skin beneath the facial hair but there's some extra attention you can give these areas to keep skin beautiful beneath the beard in our latest blog.

The skin on our neck often gets grouped in to our facial routine or receives a dose of our body care products but can often be neglected as an independent area of attention. Unfortunately, the neck is a key place that shows the signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles and uneven texture as well as hyperpigmentation and discoloration - so it can be worth isolating for tailored TLC. Find out what products can be used to target the delicate skin on your neck.

When building your routine, you’ll likely come across serums as a way to incorporate key active ingredients but what exactly are they and how can you use them? Find out more about The INKEY List serum collection and which one is suited to your skin goals. 

We recognise our moisturizer as the essential finale of our skincare regime but often overlook the moisturizing facial oil which can add an extra layer of benefits to hydrate, protect and nourish the skin. Find out about the benefits of using a facial oil moisturizer and the INKEY List products you can easily incorporate into your skincare routine.

There are a number of factors which can determine when under-eye wrinkles begin to appear, but generally speaking, many people tend to see them first forming in their late twenties and early thirties. This is when the skin’s production of collagen and elastin starts to slow down, making wrinkles and other lines more likely to show up. Learn more about what you can do to prevent and treat under-eye wrinkles here.

Salicylic Acid is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) and has the ability to penetrate deeper into the pores of the skin, making it an ideal targeted spot treatment ingredient. Learn more about the benefits of Salicylic Acid, how to use it in your skincare routine using INKEY List products.

When we think of pollution, many of us will likely think of a scary, big-city problem that only really impacts high-flying office workers and those living in built-up areas. But these days, pollution particles are everywhere, including in more rural areas, surrounded by countryside. Read more on pollution and what INKEY List products you can use in your routine to keep your skin safe and protected from pollution

There are certain tweaks you should make between your AM and PM regimes to get the most out of your skincare. A night-time skincare is more focused on washing away the remnants of the day, and prepping skin to repair overnight with certain treatments and active ingredients. Learn about what happens to skin overnight and what products you should be using in your PM skincare routine to achieve your skin goals.

It’s no doubt that pregnancy is life changing. Once the initial news has sunk in, there are adjustments to your day to day to ensure health and safety for parent and baby whilst embarking on this 9 month journey - including your skincare routine. Learn about which product we suggest you avoid during your pregnancy and what INKEY List products you can replace them with.

Dr Zion and askINKEY’s Tom walked through a 5-step routine sharing their top tips on how to best treat your acne

Cassandra Bankson & Dr Kemi share some amazing tips to help better treat your skin in the winter months and walk us through a step by step routine that you can try at home! 

Robert & James Welsh share their 5-step routine to creating the perfect makeup base. They reveal their favourite INKEY products and give some insider tips for prepping your skin for makeup.

Whilst pigmentation in the skin is natural and what forms our glorious spectrum of skin tones, overproduction or underproduction can cause patches, spots and unevenness. Hyperpigmentation specifically is when too much Melanin is created as a result of scarring, inflammation, hormones, sun exposure or ageing. Learn how to reduce hyperpigmentation and the ingredients that are best suited to tackle this common skin concern.

When it comes to anti-ageing, peptides are a powerful ingredient that you may have heard of, but what are they? Peptides, also known as polypeptides, are amino acids which form proteins in the skin. Find out more about Peptides, how they can be beneficial in your skincare routine and what INKEY List products contain this super ingredient.

Stressed out skin can manifest in many ways, unfortunately. As stress can impact the skin’s natural protective barrier, there can be signs of dryness and dehydration, as well as inflammation and itchiness. You might also notice everything from pigmentation to dullness, and of course, there is the chance breakouts may appear. Learn what you can do to target stressed skin and what INKEY product are best suited to calming stressed skin.

Dehydration is incredibly common, but many find it hard to distinguish and thus to treat effectively. Our simple guide explains everything you need to know about dehydrated skin, in easy-to-understand, bite size pieces of information. 

We have heard the research surrounding the impact of blue light on our sleep health, wellbeing, attention span and eyesight but how can the light from our devices and screens be impacting the health of our skin? Find out what blue light is and the key INKEY LIst ingredients that can help protect and repair against blue light effects on the skin.

The texture of our skin can be a primary concern and range from bumpiness to dry patches or pitting. Out of balance skin texture can appear dull, dry, patchy and uneven. Learn about the approaches to help even the texture of the skin by incorporating various tips and INKEY List products in your skincare routine.

A moisturizer is a must-have in any skincare routine. Right up there with an effective cleanser, a hydrating step, lotion, or oil can make all the difference for any skin type, and is a pillar in an effective regime. But with so many around and lots of conflicting advice, it can be tough to know how to pick, apply, and make the best of your moisturizer. Fear not; we’ve laid everything out that you need to know to make the process easier and more straight forward than ever.

A change in season can bring both a wardrobe update and a skin routine update. Shifts in temperature and humidity as well as elemental challenges such as sunshine, wind and showers, bring a necessity to adjust your skincare routine throughout the year to help adapt to these external influences. Discover helpful skincare swaps as you transition from season to season. 

Vitamin C has become one of the most popular ingredients in modern skincare, with a whole host of brilliant benefits and capabilities. But it can often be a slightly misunderstood ingredient, thanks to its several forms and certain stipulations that are important to follow when using it. Here, we lay out everything you need to know about using Vitamin C in your skincare, from how to choose the right one to the rules to abide by if you’re new to it.

Skincare: we all love it, but it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed from time to time. These days, the number of brands and products available to buy is endless, while advice and information is often conflicting. Here, we break down what you really need to know about a basic, solid skincare routine.

Whilst we spend a lot of time and energy refining the formulas and ingredients of each member of The INKEY List range, there are a few secret life hacks that can level up your routine even more. From unexpected bonus usage to storage hacks - here’s the extra INKEY knowledge that’s not always on the box…

Skincare: it’s the ultimate makeup base. Without an effective skincare routine that ensures skin is feeling and looking its best, makeup sort of doesn’t stand a chance. Learn why having a solid skincare base is crucial for seamless make up application, creating a glowing complexion for no makeup days and helping your make up last longer!

Reading a beauty product label can feel like a major challenge, particularly if you’re not familiar with certain ingredient names. An initial glance at an INCI List is enough to send many of us into confusion and understandably. Learn what an INCI List is and how to read one, from de-coding intimidating ingredient names to understanding those scary-looking symbols on the packaging. 

Cleansing is one of the most crucial pillars of a skincare routine, if not the most important. A good regime begins with a solid cleanse, and sets skin up for everything that follows, from treatment serums to protective SPFs. It’s also a must if you wear makeup or SPF (the latter of which you should be every single day); ensuring skin is clean and product-free before bedtime is essential, which is where double cleansing can come in. Read on to discover our ultimate cleansing guide. 

When discussing the skin barrier, we are referring to the outermost layer of the skin known as the epidermis. We can think of the epidermis a bit like a suit of armour and the first point of protection. The health of the skin barrier can directly correlate with how healthy your skin looks overall. When in good shape, your skin appears hydrated, plump and bright. If compromised, it can look dull, uneven, translucent and sagging with more visible lines and wrinkles. Learn more about what the skin barrier is, how it can be damaged and what INKEY list products help support and protect the skin barrier.

It’s a term often connected to ingredients like collagen and peptides but what is ‘plump’ skin and why do we want it? Plump skin can be regarded as well-hydrated, firm with a natural fullness, roundness and bounciness. Its decline can be considered a sign of ageing and can also affect the brightness, texture and tone. Learn more about how to get plump skin, the best INKEY List products to support the production of elastin and collagen whilst giving hydration and other tips to help plump your skin.

Whether it’s an ongoing condition or sudden reaction, the skin can appear red for a number of different reasons with a spectrum of severity - from health conditions such as Rosacea and dermatitis, allergies, reactions to a flush from exercise, temperature etc. The accompanying factors to the redness, such as itchiness, inflammation or dryness, can help determine the cause and resolution of the concern. Learn more about why skin can appear red, what INKEY List product are best suited to target skin redness and tips to reduce the appearance of redness.

When we start a new skincare routine or try a new product, the expectation is that all our troubles, breakouts and concerns will fade away immediately. Unfortunately, the purge can be an unforeseen stage that stands between you and your skincare goals. Find out more about purging, the difference between purging and a reaction and tips to avoid the purge when introducing a new product into your skincare routine.

Sensitive skin is a broad term to describe skin that has reduced tolerance and can be aggravated by products or external/lifestyle stressors. It can be the result of damage to the skin barrier or as an allergic/irritated reaction to certain ingredients that it comes into contact with. If you have sensitive skin, it can require an adjustment to your daily skincare routine, exploration of the cause and a consciousness around the ingredients you’re using. Find out which INKEY List products are best suited to those who have sensitive skin.

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions around skin dryness which is not quite as simple as just a lack of water. Skin dryness is classified more as skin type as opposed to dehydration which is more of a skin state resulting from external factors and requires a different approach of care. Find out more and what INKEY products target dry and damaged skin.

When creating a routine, the best place to start is by defining your skin type to ensure the products you select are working with and not against your skin’s natural properties in order to effectively target your concerns. Learn how skin types are categorised and how to identify which skin type applies to you and your concerns,

Having been introduced as a preventative measure to stop the spread of COVID-19, the face mask has brought with it it’s own skincare epidemic known as ‘Maskne’. With many of us experiencing regular mask usage in our day to day, these side effects have surged and prompted a skincare shake up. Find out what INKEY List products are best to tackle and prevent Maskne.

There are a few reasons why acne scars occur. Firstly, not all acne will result in scarring and even if it does, there are plenty of treatments to reduce their appearance and help them disappear completely. Learn what can cause scarring, how to get rid of scarring and prevent the risk of them occurring.

Blackheads are essentially a blocked hair follicle or sebaceous gland that has been plugged by a tasty combination of excess sebum (skin oil), dirt, debris or dead skin. Learn more about what blackheads are, what causes them and how to get rid of them using INKEY's targeted treatments

Question: Do you have shiny skin, enlarged pores, and are prone to blackheads and breakouts but at times your skin feels tight? If you answered YES, it’s likely you fall into the skin type category of OILY. Find out why skin can become oily and the best products to prevent and treat this common skin concern.

Delve deeper into the world of chemical exfoliants and the benefits they have on the skin. Learn why we need to exfoliate, how to exfoliate with chemical exfoliants, such as AHAs, PHAs and BHAs, and even those that can be used on the scalp! Explore the safe way to exfoliate and how to layer them into your skincare routine.

Fine lines and wrinkles are an inevitable part of our ageing journey and, although they tell the tales of smiles shared and memories made, we can welcome some assistance to make their appearance a little more subtle. Learn about the science of collagen, elastin & peptides, what causes fine lines & wrinkles and what INKEY products target signs of ageing.

Acne isn’t a condition that just favours the face, it can commonly be found across the body as well, in particular the neck, back, shoulders and chest. Learn what back and chest is, how to get rid of it using INKEY List hero acne products and tips on how to prevent it.

From cleansing the skin to managing oil production, there are several ways to treat and bust blemishes fast! Learn about our acne hero products and more tips on fighting blemishes and preventing further breakouts. 

Puffiness, dark circles or fine lines are enough to remove the twinkle in anyone’s eye so it’s important to give this area special attention in your skincare routine. Find the best eye cream for you, whether you are wanting to target dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles or want to illuminate your under eyes.

Introducing one of our favourite families - the Retinoids! An umbrella term for a group of compounds derived from Vitamin A, they are the ultimate ingredient for skin renewal and combating the signs of ageing.

Dull skin can be caused by many factors, one of which is not cleansing the skin properly. A buildup of dead cells can make the skin's surface rough, and cause skin to absorb light rather than reflect making skin look dull. Our NEW ingredient, Fulvic Acid is the perfect first step in your skincare regimen to achieve that bright, enviable glow!

Having a bright, healthy complexion is a skincare goal many people share, in fact it's a top question on #askINKEY! We are passionate about knowledge, so we are here to give you the 101 on why we get dull skin and ingredients that help brighten so you can achieve YOUR brightest skin.  

Acne is a very common concern and impacts most people at some point in life - it’s one of the topics you #askINKEY about the most! We’ve broken down some of the main types of acne and some of the spots associated with them...

Beta Hydroxy Acids are oil soluble chemical exfoliators and a great choice for oily and breakout prone skin

They work deeper in the skin than Alpha Hydroxy Acids, and can help unclog pores and target blackheads. 

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful hydrator found naturally in the skin. It acts as a magnet for moisture drawing it in from the air around to plump, hydrate and brighten.