The Ordinary vs The Inkey List: Glycolic Acid, which one works the best?

allthingskincare
myskincare
Published in
3 min readApr 22, 2024
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Glycolic Acid Introduction

Glycolic Acid is a form of alpha hydroxy acid. Because of its capacity to exfoliate the skin, encourage cell turnover, and enhance the appearance of skin tone and texture, it is frequently used in skincare products. In order to facilitate the easy removal of dead skin cells and expose smoother, more radiant skin underneath, glycolic acid works by dissolving the connections that hold skin cells together. Glycolic acid’s small molecular size allows it to deeply permeate the skin, which makes it a useful treatment for a variety of skin issues, including acne, wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. Chemical peels, exfoliating treatments, cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers are frequently made using it. Glycolic acid can, however, make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so if you use glycolic acid in your skincare regimen to avoid sun damage, you must also apply sunscreen. Furthermore, using products containing glycolic acid might cause irritation or redness in people with sensitive skin, so it’s best to do a patch test before using it extensively.

The Ordinary & The Inkey List: Purposes of the brands

The Ordinary is an evolving collection of treatments offering familiar, effective clinical technologies positioned to raise pricing and communication integrity in skincare. The brand was created to celebrate integrity in its most humble and true form. Its offering is pioneering, not in the familiar technologies it uses, but in its honesty and integrity. The Ordinary is born to disallow commodity to be disguised as ingenuity. The Ordinary is “Clinical formulations with integrity”. 1

Founded by Colette Laxton and Mark Curry in 2018, The INKEY List was born from a belief that better knowledge powers better decisions.

“We know that skincare, can be confusing. But we also know that you want to understand more about your skin so you can make the right decisions.That’s why we are in it with you! Whatever you want to know, however you want to know it, when it comes to finding out what’s best for your skin we’re here for you, whenever you need us. Skincare is a journey and we are in it together”. 2

The Ordinary vs The Inkey List: Glycolic Acid differences

Although both companies are renowned for their reasonably priced and effective skincare formulas, the two glycolic acid products differ in a few significant ways:

  • Concentration: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Solution typically contains a higher concentration of glycolic acid compared to The Inkey List Glycolic Acid. The Ordinary offers a 7% glycolic acid solution, while The Inkey List offers a 10% glycolic acid toner. Higher concentrations may provide more intense exfoliation but may also increase the risk of irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.
  • Formulation: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Solution is a water-based exfoliating toning solution, while The Inkey List Glycolic Acid is formulated as a toner. The formulation difference may affect how the product feels on the skin and how it fits into your skincare routine.
  • Additional Ingredients: Both products may contain additional ingredients to enhance their efficacy or provide other skincare benefits. It’s essential to review the ingredient lists to see if there are any specific ingredients you’re looking for or trying to avoid.
  • Price: Both brands are known for their affordability, but the price may vary slightly depending on your location and where you purchase the products. Generally, The Ordinary tends to have slightly lower price points compared to The Inkey List.

Ultimately, a person’s preference, skin type, and particular skincare goal can determine which of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Solution and The Inkey List Glycolic Acid to use. To see how a new skincare product affects your skin, patch test it first and work it gradually into your routine.

1.https://deciem.com/en-nl/about-us.html#:~:text=The%20Ordinary%20is%20a%20brand,functional%20beauty%2C%20integrity%20is%20rare. 
2.https://eu.theinkeylist.com/pages/about-us#:~:text=About%20Us%20%7C%20The%20INKEY%20List&text=Founded%20by%20Colette%20Laxton%20and,can%20make%20the%20right%20decisions.

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