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.
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.
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.
Back and chest acne—often called body acne or “bacne”—affect up to 60% of people who experience facial breakouts, yet they’re far less talked about. From sweat and friction to excess oil and hormonal fluctuations, breakouts on the body come with their own unique challenges, especially as the skin on the back and chest is thicker and more prone to congestion. The good news? With the right ingredients and a consistent routine, body acne is highly treatable. In this guide, we break down what causes back and chest acne, the dermatologist-recommended ingredients that actually work—like salicylic acid and glycolic acid—and how to build an effective routine to help you achieve clearer, smoother skin.
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.
Finished another bottle or tube of your favourite INKEY product? Well, you’ll need to know how to recycle it correctly then.
<p><span>Dull skin can be caused by many factors, one of which is not cleansing the skin properly. </span><span>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!</span></p>
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.
