Welcome to the INKEY Blog. Where we spread and share our skincare knowledge with you!
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Using the right skincare products is only half the story—how you apply them matters just as much. Studies show that incorrect skincare layering can reduce product performance by up to 40%, preventing active ingredients from penetrating the skin effectively. When products are applied in the wrong order, lightweight serums can be blocked by heavier creams, and pH-sensitive ingredients may not function as intended.
This guide breaks down the science behind skincare layering, from molecular weight to ingredient compatibility, and introduces a simple, dermatologist-informed 5-step framework designed to maximise results. Whether your goal is hydration, clearer skin, brighter tone, or long-term skin health, understanding the correct order of application ensures every product in your routine works at its full potential.
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.
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 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, repair and protect the skin barrier.
Understanding which skincare ingredients shouldn’t be used together is key to keeping skin healthy and getting the best results from your routine. While many actives can complement each other, some pairings can trigger irritation, weaken the skin barrier, or cancel out each other’s benefits. This guide explains why these conflicts happen—such as pH clashes and ingredient instability—and highlights common combinations to avoid, including retinol with vitamin C and layering multiple acids. You’ll also learn practical ways to use powerful ingredients safely through smart timing, alternating nights, and proper layering.
If your skin has ever seemed to get worse after starting a new active like retinol or acids, don’t panic—this may be skin purging. Purging is a temporary phase where ingredients that speed up cell turnover bring existing congestion to the surface more quickly, which can look like sudden breakouts. While frustrating, it’s often a sign that your product is working, and understanding this process can help you stay consistent and avoid giving up just before clearer, healthier skin starts to show.
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.
The scalp is literally the root of our hair health and can be the first place to show signs of imbalance which can contribute to the overall look and feel of your locks. From flakiness to excess oil, the scalp is equally as susceptible to problems such as imbalance, environmental factors and disorders. Learn about why a healthy scalp is important and what INKEY List products can help keep a clean and healthy scalp.
Whilst it’s normal to lose 50-100 hairs per day, increased loss, thinning and flatness of your hair can be a result of deeper rooted lifestyle, genetic and environmental imbalances. Learn more about what causes hair loss and hair thinning, the hair growth cycle and The INKEY List products that can help prevent and reduce hair loss as well as add volume.
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.
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.
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
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.
Back acne and chest acne affect millions of people each year, with research showing that up to 60% of those who experience facial breakouts also struggle with body acne. From clogged pores and excess oil to sweat, friction, and hormonal changes, back acne can be stubborn and difficult to treat without the right approach. The good news is that body breakouts are highly treatable with science-backed ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid, specifically formulated to work on thicker body skin. In this complete guide, we’ll break down what causes back and chest acne, how to get rid of back acne fast using proven routines and products, and the best prevention strategies to help keep your skin clear long term.
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.
How you recycle can be as important as what you recycle to ensure that the plastic is correctly sorted and recycled. Find out how best to recycle our products with our step by step guide. Armed with right KNOWLEDGE, we hope to empower ourselves and our customers to make positive changes for people and planet.
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.
Retinoids are the gold-standard ingredient for skin renewal — but understanding how they work can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about retinoids and retinol, from how they boost cell turnover and collagen production to how to use them safely in your routine. Learn the difference between retinol and other retinoids, how to introduce retinol serums and eye creams correctly, and what results to expect over time for smoother, brighter, more youthful-looking skin.
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.
