The Inkey List Retinol Serum Review

Inkey List Retinol - Is it worth it for anti-ageing

So I tried the Inkey List retinol and thinking Inkey List gets a lot of good talk for their products. So I was really keen to try this one.

It’s got the typical retinol smell. Now, if you’ve tried retinol before you’ll know what that is. It’s a bit like a chemical smell.

It comes out of the bottle quite fast, so you just have to be careful you don’t take out too much. I would say the packaging is a bit odd, as you just need to be careful how much it dispenses.

What I do like about the packaging

What I do like about the packaging is that on the box it tells you where this fits in your skincare routine, from initial moisturiser to the last steps. That is really helpful when you are building a routine and trying to figure out the order of everything.

I would say it is something I use during my nighttime routine and most specifically don’t wear it out in the day time if you are out in the sun. Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so sunscreen is a must every single day.

Benefits of The Inkey List Retinol Serum

It helps boost collagen production, improves skin texture, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and can fade dark spots over time. We like that it is a gentle starter retinol with stabilised forms that are kinder on the skin. It speeds up skin cell turnover so you get fresher, newer skin coming through. Over time this can make your face look smoother, brighter and more even.

It is good for beginners who want to dip their toe into retinol without too much irritation.

For more on anti-ageing, see our skin care routine for wrinkles.

How to use The Inkey List Retinol Serum

In terms of how to get started with it, use it at night only after cleansing. Apply a small amount to your face and gently rub it in, then follow with your moisturiser. Start slow with it two or three times a week so your skin can get used to it. Always wear sunscreen in the daytime when using retinol. For more guidance, check out our how to use retinol beginners guide.

Texture and feel on the skin

It’s quite oily but in saying that it actually soaks into the skin well. It is thicker than some serums, so I put it on towards the end of my nighttime routine. It does have that typical retinol smell, but it is not too bad once it's rubbed in, you get over the scent.

Results and overall thoughts

Down to how great it is or not and honestly I am still testing this one but so far it feels nice on the skin and sinks in better than some other retinols. It is good for wrinkles and fine lines if you stick with it. We have been using this consistently and can see it helping smooth out texture and soften some lines. It is not dramatic overnight but with time your skin just looks better and healthier overall.

All in all the price is affordable for a retinol if you are looking to enter into this world. There are other products out there and the strengths range greatly so we'd say you could always test a couple and see what works for you depending on your skin type.

We think this is a decent retinol from The Inkey List. The packaging gives you good guidance and it is gentle enough for beginners. Just remember to be patient with retinols as they take time to show their full results. Give it at least a couple of months of consistent use and you should start seeing improvements in wrinkles, texture and overall skin tone.

If you have normal to dry skin and you are looking to get into retinol slowly, this one is worth a try. It has earned a spot in our nighttime routine. For more anti-ageing tips see our skin care routine for wrinkles, best eye creams for dark circles and benefits of vitamin C serum if you want to build a full routine around this retinol.

For more on gentle skincare see our sensitive skin guide or our dry skin page. You can also check our guide on best serums for all skin types if you are building a bigger routine.

Final verdict on this one

We think this is a solid entry-level retinol serum. It is easy to use, affordable and gives good results with time. It is not the strongest one out there, but it is gentle and effective for most people. If you are new to retinol or looking for something simple this one is worth trying. We will keep using it in our nighttime routine and see how it goes over the next few months.

Additional questions on the Inkey list retinol

Which is better, the ordinary retinol or inkey list retinol?

For us it's the Inkey List, it's just not as oily as the retinol from The Ordinary, and it glides on and soaks in to the skin just that bit better.

Is the INKEY List retinol being discontinued?

They have discontinued one from the q10 range, but safe to say they still have some other retinols that are very similar, just in new packaging.

What is the best retinol?

There are a few, this one included! Some other top choices include The Ordinary Retinol in Squalane for a great budget option, Medik8 Crystal Retinal for fast-acting vitamin A, Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment for advanced anti-aging, and pharmacy mainstays like CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum.

Is 1% retinol or 0.2% retinal stronger?

A 0.2% retinal product is super strong, and it works harder than a 1% retinol product. Retinal (retinaldehyde) is said to work up to 10 to 11 times faster. It's because there is one conversion step to become retinoic acid, whereas retinol requires two steps.