As someone who would classify my LED red light skincare device as a need rather than a want, to say that I take my skincare seriously would be a bit of an understatement. I’ve spent more hours than I’d like to admit wandering the aisles of Sephora, trying and trying out different serums and creams, casually adding $100 an ounce products to my cart, and dancing happily in the checkout line, when I notice it Enough reward points to secure a free sample. But here’s the thing: My luxury skincare routine cost me hundreds of dollars.
Since I don’t want to go broke trying to fund my skincare routine (my daily latte is bad enough), I decided it was high time for an overhaul of my product range. I’ve long heard rave reviews about The INKEY List, not only for the effectiveness of their products, but also for their amazingly affordable prices. When I realized I could put together a *complete* skincare routine for less than $70 (we’re talking a complete five-step routine, ladies), I was skeptical, but now I’m truly convinced that price does not necessarily equal quality. After using The INKEY List products exclusively for a few weeks, I can’t imagine how well they compare to my more expensive products.
My skin care goals:
My skin is almost a model of combination skin – it’s oily in the T-zone and tends to be normal to dry on the cheeks. Every now and then I get a hormonal blemish, but at age 45 my main concern is keeping my skin well hydrated and delaying the ever-evolving effects of gravity (e.g. loss of firmness and smoothness). I’m also actively trying to improve the fine lines and wrinkles that used to appear on my forehead and around my eyes whenever I smiled, but now (insanely) persist even when I don’t. In short, the biggest priority in my skincare routine is anti-aging.
The skin care routine I followed:
Okay, let’s get started, shall we? I thought it was important to stick with the same basic five steps that I used in my previous routine to get a really good side-by-side comparison of the products on the INKEY list. I was pleasantly surprised at how extensive their skincare collection is, and it was easy to find a suitable equivalent for each of my high-end products. Below is the exact night routine I followed (my morning routine is largely the same except it omits retinol and also includes sunscreen):
Step 1: Oat Cleansing Balm ($13.00)
Although I have used cleansing oils in the past, I had never tried a balm. This cleanser is thick, almost like beeswax, but it completely melts into my skin as soon as I start rubbing it in. It is extremely effective in removing every makeup stain from my face. It also leaves my skin feeling clean, smooth and hydrated – something I really appreciate as my regular cleanser sometimes left my skin feeling tight.
My skin really drinks this lightweight serum and I can see why it’s their #1 bestseller. It’s really moisturizing before I apply my retinol and I feel like it really plumps up my skin nicely. What I also like is that it doesn’t feel sticky or sticky on my face, which I’ve experienced before with other hyaluronic acid products, and it gives my complexion a nice, dewy glow.
Since I’ve only been using this product for a short time, I can’t say that it has improved my fine lines and wrinkles yet. But one thing I always pay attention to in the early stages of testing a new retinol product is whether or not it irritates my skin—and this serum didn’t result in dryness, redness, or flaking. I like that it is specifically formulated with a slow release to ease any potential irritation. It also contains squalane to smooth and hydrate the skin.
Waking up with puffy eyes is legitimately the bane of my life, so I always tend to reach for eye creams that contain caffeine. I have to say this eye cream is fabulous. It removes my eye bags so effectively (within seconds) and leaves a wonderful cooling feeling that I find super refreshing. What also makes this product so good is that it contains Matrixyl 3000™ peptide, which is great for smoothing wrinkles and tightening the eye area (which is why I use it both morning and night).
This is the latest product from The INKEY List and it’s been making a big splash in the beauty industry – and for good reason. What makes it different from other products that contain traditional ceramides is that it contains bioactive ceramides that can protect and repair the skin across multiple layers. I love the velvety, luxurious texture of this moisturizer. It’s thick and incredibly moisturizing, but doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy at all. When I wake up in the morning, my skin glows beautifully and feels wonderfully smooth and plump. If it’s this smooth after just a few weeks of use, I can’t wait to see what the results will be after longer use. This product is truly a gem!
The judgment
After using The INKEY List products in my skincare routine for a few weeks, I am completely blown away by how good they are. I didn’t miss any of my exorbitantly expensive products and honestly I found them just as effective. My skin is visibly smoother, plumper, firmer and more radiant – all for a total of $70. Considering I used to spend over $300 to get results like this, I’m shocked.
Another reason why the products on the INKEY list are quickly becoming a staple in my skincare routine? They are certified “clean,” so I don’t have to worry about them containing harmful chemicals like parabens, phthalates, or sulfates. Clean products that won’t break your budget and actually deliver real results – where have you been all my life, the INKEY list? After a trip to Sephora, I no longer have to drain my bank account and now have an affordable skincare routine that I can rely on.
