Skincare: Your Most Asked Questions

The answers to your most asked questions.  

Our #askINKEY team are here every day to answer all your skincare questions. From "Where do I start?" to "How can I tackle breakouts?" - there’s no question too big or too small for our in-house team of experts. We’re taking a look at your most asked questions so we can help share our INKEY knowledge even further.  

Why do you recommend Hyaluronic Acid before a toner? 

We suggest using your Hyaluronic Acid Serum first as it can help your following products, including toners, to work better by acting as transport for them into the skin. Apply your Hyaluronic Acid Serum and wait 30/60 seconds before gently patting your toner into your skin. Our insider tip? Always apply your Hyaluronic Acid on to damp skin to deliver greater hydration.  

Shall I use Mandelic Acid or Tranexamic Acid for my hyperpigmentation? 

If you’re experiencing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as a result of a breakouts, we’d recommend our Mandelic Acid Treatment. The Mandelic Acid and Retinol in the formulation helps to target discolouration and dark spots by subtly exfoliating and encouraging natural cell turnover. Remember to use this only as part of the PM routine. For hyperpigmentation caused by UV damage, such as sun spots, Tranexamic Acid Serum would be the most suitable. Tranexamic is an amino acid so it helps to treat UV-induced marks and reduce pigmentation and dark spots. 

Can I use my actives with Vitamin B, C and E Moisturiser as it contains Vitamin C? 

Yes, you can. The concentration of Vitamin C is low in the formulation (0.1%) so this can be used safely alongside all actives which you wouldn’t traditionally use alongside Vitamin C, such as Niacinamide Serum, Retinol Serum and your Vitamin C serum. 

Is my skin purging? 

The difference between a purge and a breakout is purging usually occurs where you typically tend to breakout and heals quicker than a normal breakout. This purge will usually last 4-6 weeks. A breakout when your skin isn’t enjoying a new product tends to happen in areas you don’t usually breakout and takes longer to heal. You might also see other irritation such as increased redness, sensitivity or even itching. If this is the case, we’d advise to discontinue use of the product and stick with a gentle hydrating routine until the irritation has subsided.

Which products will help clear my blemishes? 

Firstly, we’d always advise to get to the root cause of why your blemishes are happening. If you’ve been dealing with blemishes for a while, we’d recommend visiting a doctor or dermatologist who can best advise treatment options for you. When it comes to a skincare routine to help with blemishes, keeping it simple and consistent is key so you avoid any potential irritation or risk damaging your skin barrier. 

Hydration is super important for blemish-prone skin as when your skin is dehydrated it can often try to overcompensate by producing excess sebum which contributes to clogged pores and can lead to more breakouts. Therefore, we’d always recommend Hyaluronic Acid Serum alongside our Salicylic Acid Cleanser, Succinic Acid Treatment and our latest launch, Blemish Clearing Moisturizer 2% NovoRetin. A breakthrough moisturizer, it’s clinically proven to help fight and reduce blemishes overnight whilst providing the essential moisturisation that is needed for blemish-prone skin. 

Remember, there is no one size fits all when treating acne, so complete our Skincare Quiz or speak with askINKEY for your personalized routine!