The Inkey List Vs the Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid: My Choice 2024

Are you looking for the best skin care solution? You might want to check out The Inkey List Vs The Ordinary. These two brands offer very different answers, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.

Aspect	The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid	The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Brand Philosophy	Focuses on simplifying skincare with straightforward, single-ingredient products	Emphasizes clinical formulations with integrity and transparency
Key Ingredients	Contains multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid for hydration and plumping	Features hyaluronic acid in various molecular weights and vitamin B5 for enhanced hydration
Product Range	Offers a range of single-ingredient skincare products targeting specific concerns	Provides a wide variety of skincare formulations addressing various skin needs
Target Audience	Targets individuals seeking simple, effective skincare solutions	Caters to skincare enthusiasts interested in customizable regimens and active ingredients
Packaging	Utilizes minimalistic packaging with clear labeling	Features simple, functional packaging with clear ingredient information
Pricing	Positioned as an affordable and accessible brand	Positioned as an affordable and accessible brand
Popular Products	The Inkey List Retinol, The Inkey List Q10, The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream	The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
Marketing Approach	Focuses on simplicity and transparency in skincare formulations	Emphasizes the use of active ingredients and clinical formulations for targeted skincare
Availability	Widely available through various retailers and online platforms	Widely available through various retailers and online platforms

This article will compare the two brands and help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.

About the Ordinary

Ordinary's tagline says "Clinical Formulations With Integrity". They aim to be at the forefront of the industry's skincare market regarding pricing and transparency.

Deciem brands include The Ordinary. Deciem also owns Hylamide and Nid, which means that The Ordinary has the support of many skincare brands.

The Ordinary launched in 2017 and quickly became a top-choice for high-quality, low-priced skin care products. This review of The Ordinary skincare products explains more about my experiences with The Ordinary.

About the Inkey List

The Inkey List lists vital active ingredients for skincare that will help you get through the beauty jargon. This brand offers classic and trendy products in simple plastic packaging, making them affordable.

This allows the product to be the main focus of the packaging. This brand uses ask INKEY to empower and educate its community.

A fantastic source of hyaluronic acids for $7.99 Yes, please!! You can read me The Inkey List review to see if This brand is worth it. Here are my thoughts and comparisons between The Inkey List products.

The Inkey List Vs the Ordinary, Which Is the Best?

Packaging

The Ordinary Vs the Inkey List brands use simple packaging in their branding. It is simple and focuses on the ingredients.

The Ordinary: The majority of products of The Ordinary are in glass bottles with a squeezy top. Although the design is simple, it makes products seem more scientific.

Clear bottles can be used, but some bottles have tinted labels to protect the products from light damage. The Ordinary products are also available in silver/grey squeezy tube packaging for moisturizers and cleansers.

The packaging is classic, simple, and looks great on a shelf. There are downsides to the bottles. If you choose a product with a lid that must be removed, it exposes the product to air every time you use it.

The product can go "bad" quicker, mainly if it contains less stable ingredients. The dropper allows you to use the product directly without touching the bottle or contaminating it. However, some people find the easy entry of air a problem.

The Ordinary's packaging can be dropped at designated recycling points and reused by the company. This helps reduce waste.

The Inkey List: With their branding focusing on black and white bottles, this brand uses simple packaging. This makes it easy for customers to identify the product and helps keep their attention on the ingredient.

Many of their products feature clicky tops that allow you to open a small hole to squirt the product out or a pump design that will enable you to press down and squeeze the product out.

This protects the products from being exposed to air and reduces the chance of them oxidizing. The bottles are also made of thick, opaque plastic to prevent light from affecting them.

Ease of Use

Although the products are simple, The Ordinary Vs Inkey List cannot be evident for people who don't know about skincare.

The Ordinary: Sometimes, it can feel like you need to have a Ph.D. in skincare to understand The Ordinary. Understanding which products can be used together and in what order is difficult, even though each product clearly states its potential benefits for your skin.

Cheryl's Extraordinary Skin With The Ordinary course is a great resource to help you choose the right products and create a routine.

After a lot of research, I was able to identify the products that were effective for me and how they should fit into my skincare routine.

This is where the problem lies. I'm not a skincare expert, but I still have a lot to learn. It can be easy to make mistakes and use products that don't work or are harmful to your skin if you aren't a skincare expert.

The Inkey List: Although it uses simple ingredients and packaging, each product's box contains detailed information about how to use it, what time it should be used and which products should not be used with it. This eliminates any confusion and simplifies the entire process.

It is so much easier than The Ordinary. I don't have to think about what products I should be looking for.

Affordability

The Inkey List and The Ordinary are well-known for being affordable skincare brands. But how cheap are they?

• The range of Ordinary products is from US4.20 up to US14.90.
• Inkey List products are priced from US4.99 up to US14.99.

The prices of the brands are also reasonably comparable. TIL Hyaluronic Acid costs PS5.99, while TO Hyaluronic Acid costs PS5.90.

Although each product is affordable, it's possible to save money by purchasing a different outcome. You might be able to find brands that sell a moisturizer or Serum for glowing skin with both AHA and vitamin C if you are looking to include Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C.

You would need to buy an AHA, vitamin C, and moisturizing product for The Ordinary and The Inkey List separately. Then, add them all to your daily routine.

Sometimes it is more beneficial to purchase a specific product from a different manufacturer than buying all products at once.

Product Comparison

The Inkey List Lactic Acid Supplement vs. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + H

The all-star chemical exfoliator lactic Acid can remove dead skin cells and reveal a brighter complexion. Because these acid molecules are more significant than Glycolic Acid, it penetrates the skin less deeply than Glycolic Acid. Because This acid is generally more tolerated than Glycolic Acid, it may be an option for those with sensitive skin.

The Inkey List Lactic Acid Supplement

This serum contains 10% lactic acid and 1% low-molecular hyaluronic. Low molecular Hyaluronic Acid has a lighter weight and smaller molecules.

It penetrates deeper into the skin than other types of hyaluronic acids. The Serum also includes moisturizing glycerin and Agastache Mexicana Leaf/Stem Extract, an antioxidant.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + H

These ordinary products contain 10% lactic acid and a sodium hyaluronate-cross polymer. This form of hyaluronic Acid has a high water binding capacity, which allows it to provide long-term moisturizing.

To help reduce inflammation and sensitivity caused by lactic Acid, the Serum also includes Tasmanian Pepperberry.

Both of these serums offer excellent value considering their price. This Inkey List Lactic Acid serum is currently $12.99 per 1 oz.

The Ordinary 10% +HA, is $6.80 per 1 oz. Although the results and products are similar, The Ordinary has the advantage of price and packaging.

The Inkey List Vitamin C cream vs. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30 in Silicone

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and dullness. Vitamin C is great for brightening your skin.

Vitamin C products are best applied in the mornings since it targets the free-radical damage your skin is frequently exposed to during daylight hours.

The Inkey List Vitamin C Cream

Inkey List Vitamin C Cream is 30% pure L-ascorbic Acid and three silicones. This cream is water-free and highly concentrated, which can irritate sensitive skin.

It caused tingling and irritation in my skin immediately. It is a bit grainy, so you should be cautious about layering it with other skincare ingredients. This could cause pilling.

Instructions indicate that you can add a few drops of HA Serum to the cream. This will make the cream more hydrating and thin.

This product can be used on all skin types. However, it is best for combination or oily skin. It leaves a matte finish on the skin and acts almost as a primer for makeup.

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% In Silicone

Ordinary Vitamin C Supplement 30% in Silicone also has 30% pure L-ascorbic Acid and HA in a silicone base.

Although this formula feels silky on the skin, the high concentration of topical Vitamin C in the form of a suspension made of excellent L.ascorbic Acid powder may cause intense tingling sensations until your skin tolerance is more elevated.

The Ordinary advises that you mix this product with other creams and serums if your skin reacts to it.

The Ordinary sells 8 Vitamin C products. I created this guide to help you find the best vitamin C products. This guide explains the benefits of each product and who they are most suitable for.

Are you a customer of any other Vitamin C formulas from The Ordinary? Let me know if you have any questions!

The Inkey List Retinol Cream vs. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2 % Emulsion

The Inkey List retinol and The Ordinaryretinol: There are many types of retinoids on the market today. (Retinol can be described as a type of retinoid. Retinoids can neutralize antioxidants that degrade collagen to reduce wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and texture.

The ability to stimulate new collagen production by using retinoids makes them a standout ingredient in anti-aging skincare products.

Retinoids can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight, so sunscreen should be used when using these products and for at least a week afterward.

The Inkey List Retinol Cream

Inkey List Retinol Serum contains two different retinoids: 0.5% Granactive Retinoid and 1% RetiStar stabilized Retinol to reduce wrinkle appearance.

Retinol (a Vitamin A derivative) and a gran active retinoid (ester all-trans-retinoic acids) are combined in a slow-release formulation for maximum effectiveness with irritation.

Register Stabilized Retinol contains 0.05% retinol and tocopherol. It also contains PEG-40 Hydrogenated castor oil in caprylic/capric triglycerides in an oily solution.

While you might think that you are receiving 1% of the Retinol in this complex, which would be a very high amount of Retinol, you get 0.05% of the Retinol and 0.5% Granactive Resinoid in this Serum.

This Serum also includes squalane to provide moisture and hyaluronic acids for extra hydration. This Serum is a good choice for beginners due to its low concentration of retinoids. This was the first retinol/retinoid I tried that irritated my skin.

The Ordinary Granactive Resinoid 2% Emulsion

The Ordinary produces six types of Retinol. Three of these six products also contain a gran active ingredient. Their gran active retinoid is a complex of solubilized Hydroxypinacolone Resinoate (HPR). The HPR is a retinoic acids ester delivered in a protective capsule for enhanced delivery and effects.

It binds directly to retinoid receptors, without any need for further metabolic degradation into a more active form.

This newer retinoid is said to cause minor irritation and be just as effective.

Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 22% Emulsion didn't irritate my skin in any way. This is very impressive, considering the difficulties I have had with retinoids. The liquid formula is easy to apply after water-based serums but before thicker creams and serums.

The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Toner and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7 Toning Solution

Glycolic Acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), which exfoliates dead skin cells and helps to refine the skin's texture. It may also be beneficial for oily skin types. Glycolic Acid has a smaller molecule than other acids like lactic acid, so it travels deeper into the skin.

Some people may feel irritation from Glycolic Acid.

The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner

Inkey List Glycolic acid Exfoliating Toner has 10% glycolic acid and 5% witch-hazel to control oil. This toner helps reduce fine lines and pores, improves skin texture, and increases skin brightness.

I tried both the glycolic acid products and was disappointed to discover that I am sensitive. Although I found it less irritating than The Ordinary's, my skin felt more smooth the following day.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid, 7% Toning Solution

To combat irritation, the Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning Solution 7% contains 7% glycolic acids, amino acids, and ginseng. This product has a pH of approximately 3.6. This is almost the same as the acid availability (pKa) of glycolic acids, which is 3.6.

A pH and pKa of the same value indicate a balance between salts and acidity. This ensures maximum efficacy and minimal irritation.

Although the toner did irritate my skin and make skin redder after application, I noticed that my skin looked brighter and more precise the following day.

The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2 % + B5

Hyaluronic Acid, which is known to hold 1,000 times its weight in water, is a skin-hydrating star. Do not let the name acid scare your eyes! This is an excellent hydrator and can be combined with other skincare actives or direct acids for maximum hydration.

The Inkey List Hyaluronic acid Serum

Before trying Inkey List, I tried several hyaluronic acid products. They left my skin feeling sticky and tacky. This Serum contains 2% of low- and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acids for maximum penetration and hydration.

It also contains Matrixyl 3000, a peptide that targets fine lines and supports collagen production.

This Serum has been one of my favorites. It is quick to dry, blends well with other products, and hydrates.

I found the squeeze bottle to be the only problem. The Serum would sometimes drip down the side. It is not a significant issue considering how much I love this product.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 22% + B5

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains low-, medium- and high-molecular-weight Hyaluronic Acid. Also, it includes a next-generation HA cross polymer plus B5 for even more hydration.

Glass bottles and droppers are a better delivery method than Inkey List. It also dries quickly and retains its moisture well. It does exactly what it was made to do.

The Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Supplement vs. The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 22% + HA

Alpha arbutin is a great ingredient to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and dark circles.

Arbutin is a plant-derived compound that blocks the enzyme tyrosinase, involved in melanin formation. Excessive melanin can cause hyperpigmentation, dark circles, and other problems. Arbutin's active element is slowly released, which is a plus.

There are two types of arbutin, alpha, and beta. Alpha arbutin, which is more efficient and expensive than beta arbutin, is considered more effective. The Inkey List's and The Ordinary's products contain alpha arbutin.

The Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Cream

Inkey List, Alpha Arbutin serum, contains alpha-arbutin at 2.2%, hyaluronic, squalane 0.5%, glycerin, and phospholipids. These ingredients provide moisture to the skin.

Tetrapeptide-30 is the last ingredient in the formula. It's a minimal amount. This peptide helps to protect the skin barrier and reduce hyperpigmentation.

It comes in a tube with a light opaque gel texture. It takes some time for the Serum to dry after application. However, it is not likely to interfere with other skincare or makeup products.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 22% + HA

This product contains 2% of alpha-arbutin and hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate (a next-generation form of hyaluronic acids). It penetrates deeply into the skin for intense hydration.

The formula has a pH of 4.9. This pH is ideal for reducing the Serum's degradation in the presence of water.

It comes in a glass bottle with a dropper. It is clear and runs like a gel. It takes time for it to dry, just like The Inkey List. It doesn't interfere with the use of makeup or skincare products.

The Inkey Rosehip Oil vs. The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Oil

Rosehip oil is made from wild rosehip seed seeds. It not only moisturizes the skin but also does many other things. It is a multitasker and can be used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral. Rosehip oil can be used up to twice daily and is beneficial for all skin types.

Rosehip oil is rich in essential fatty acids that support collagen formation and skin elasticity. Rosehip oil is high in vitamin C, a free-radical fighter, and brightens the skin.

Rosehip oil is high in vitamin A. Please keep this in mind when using it with retinoids. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that can be very harsh on the skin.

The Inkey List Rosehip Oil

Inkey List Rosehip Oil is 100% pure rosehip oil and rich in omega-6 fatty acids. This oil has been awarded the Allure Best of Beauty Award. It is lightweight but nourishing.

This rosehip oil is perfect for uneven or dull skin. It has antioxidant properties that brighten the complexion. As the final step in your skincare regimen, you will only need to use drops. A few drops can be mixed into your foundation or moisturizer for a radiant glow.

The Organic 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Oil is organically sourced and cold-pressed rosehip oil. The oil is rich in pro-vitamin A and linolenic acids. It also has a natural aroma due to its high omega fatty acid level.

Rosehip oil from The Ordinary is available in UV-protective packaging, even though it's packaged in glass. This rich but light oil only drops.

It is similar to The Inkey List and should be used last in your skincare routine. You can mix it with your moisturizer or foundation.

Inkey List Vs the Ordinary: Conclusion

The Inkey List is a great skin care option for those looking for an affordable and efficient way to care for their skin. And the ordinary is known for its advanced ingredients, so it's an excellent choice for those looking to improve their skincare routine. It depends on your budget and personal preferences when it comes to which one is the best fit for your needs. resTORbio hopes that our article can help you know which should you choose.