the inkey list

The Inkey List Retinol Eye Cream Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ Leave a comment

The Retinol Eye Cream from The Inkey List is an eye treatment (not moisturizer) cream to be used in the evening that claims to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Cetearyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Propanediol, Glycogen, Sodium Gluconate, Retinol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil,1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Humulus Lupulus Extract

The eye cream is formulated with a slow-release vitamin A derivative to support natural collagen production while being gentle for use around the eye. It is formulated with 3% Vitalease, a stabilized retinoid compound that equates to 0.09% retinol. The eye cream contains some moisturizing/emollient ingredients; shea butter, olive lipids and glycerin, sunflower seed oil.

Directions: To be used in the evening on cleansed skin. Apply small amount on fingertip and pat around contour of the eye. Follow with a moisturizer. The eye cream can also be used for lines around the mouth (do not apply on lips).

This is a light yellow, light-weight cream that has no scent. It spreads around the eye area well with no tugging and absorbs quickly, leaving a smooth feeling.

As above, I have deeper creases and fine lines around my eye. I did not expect this eye cream to help with the deep creases, but I was hoping for improvement in the fine lines closer to the orbital bone at the bottom and outer eye areas and I did not see much, if any, improvement after 6 months of use. I found this cream to be relatively hydrating, but generally applied a bit of my face moisturizer over the eye cream. While the eye cream does not mention improving dark circles or puffiness, some reviews on Sephora have indicated this to be the case (I did not notice this and did not expect to).

I did not experience any dryness or irritation while using the eye cream and started out using every evening. If dryness or irritation occurs, this can be used a couple times a week, working up to every evening.

The Inkey List Retinol Eye Cream claims to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while supporting natural collagen production. I did not notice really any improvement around the eye area and would not repurchase based on that, however, being reasonably priced, might consider repurchasing for the collagen support benefit and using it under a more robust eye cream. I have recently moved on to the Rufolia Periorbital Eyemulsion by The Ayurveda Experience.

Thanks for visiting.

The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

The Inkey List’s Peptide Moisturizer is a peptide cream that claims to hydrate, support collagen, improve fine lines, wrinkles, firmness and elasticity. This is said to be a rich cream for dry skin.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Maltodextrin, Pentapeptide-48

The Peptide Moisturizer contains 2% Royal Epigen P5 that nurtures skin to help decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and a 1% peptide solution to support that skin’s moisture barrier for radiant skin. The product contains humectants, emollients and occlusive ingredients.

Directions: Morning and evening, apply a pea-sized amount to face and neck after cleansing and preferred serums.

The moisturizer is labeled for dry skin, however, I have oily/combination (in colder temperatures)/dehydrated skin. I have used this for 3 months thus far as my morning moisturizer, and sometimes in the evening.

Peptide Moisturizer comes in a jar with a pump and has no added scent, but smells a bit medicinal (this smell lasts a few minutes and does not bother me). This is a medium-thick cream, described as “rich,” though I’m not sure I would actually describe it as such; I think it is generally similar to an average cream moisturizer. It spreads nicely over the skin. After initially applying, this product feels relatively moisturizing on oilier areas of the skin, particularly my nose, with a silky layer on the skin, however, on drier areas like my chin, I need to apply a couple layers. Foundation does not apply as nicely over this as other moisturizers I have used. The moisture lasts only 3 to 4 hours and I feel like I need to reapply. If I put some other hydrating or moisturizing serum underneath, my skin feels moisturized all day. For this purpose, I’ve used Indeed Labs’ Hydraluron Moisture Serum, Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence and surprisingly, the Vichy vitamin C serum ampoule seems to provide extra hydration as well; my skin feels more moisturized and protected than with the peptide cream alone just over a toner. I’m not sure if this is because Peptide Moisturizer does not have enough moisture or hydration for the skin or if it is ineffective in preventing water loss (and I have combination skin). Interestingly, it is stated on the jar to use hyaluronic acid under the moisturizer to draw in the peptides. I also need to use more than the recommended amount; I use one pea size for the face and one for the neck, with an extra layer or two on drier areas.

I’ve not seen any difference to fine lines and wrinkles or radiance to the skin, though I doubt 3 months is enough time to improve fine lines, and there are other better products targeted to those issues. My skin feels a little softer though.

I’ve seen this recommended as a dupe for Drunk Elephant’s Protini; I disagree. Protini provides more hydration/moisture, lasts all day on its own and leaves the skin feeling plump, bouncy and silky with a general improvement in texture and complexion. If Protini was not so expensive, I would continue purchasing.

Peptide Moisturizer from The Inkey List is just okay (surprisingly rather ineffective on drier areas of my face). The price is good. I might use this as a summer moisturizer for the face and neck (other than my T-zone which would be too oily), but would need a more moisturizing/hydrating and protecting product for fall and winter.

Thanks for reading.

The Inkey List Kaolin Clay Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ Leave a comment

Kaolin Clay from The Inkey List claims to be a gentle yet powerful mask to deep-clean the skin while absorbing oils and toxins and unclogging pores, leaving skin looking clearer and more even. This mask is for all skin types.

Ingredients: Aqua, Kaolin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Magnesium Aluminium Silicate, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, 2-Phenoxyethanol, Dimenthyl Sulfone, Centella Asiatica Extract,Glyceryl Caprylate, Decyl Glucoside, Cellulose Gum, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Carbomer, Tocopherol, Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract, Sea Water Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Vitis Vinifera seed oil, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract,Sodium Hydroxide, Lonicera Japonica Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil

Directions state to use this in the morning or evening once or twice a week, applying a thin layer to clean, damp skin. Leave on for 10 minutes, rinse and pat dry.

I have combination skin now that it is winter; oily in the T-zone and dry on the cheeks, that is prone to large pores, congestion and breakouts.

This mask has a soft, cream-like consistency with a light clay scent that applies smoothly to the skin.

The photo above is a thin layer of the mask applied to damp skin as directed. Starting at about 5 minutes, the product seems to disappear on the skin as it dries. It doesn’t fully dry out and crack like other clay masks (clay masks really should not be left to dry and flake on the skin anyhow as it causes dryness and irritation).

Above, I applied the mask to dry skin in a thicker layer, which seems to work better than the thin, damp layer for absorbing oils and smoothing the skin.

I have been using this product two to three times a week in the evening for about two months. On first use, I was surprised by how light and non-drying and non-irritating this is on the skin. The skin felt a bit smoother after rinsing. After using this for the two months, the skin does not look much different; no more radiance, not much less congestion, no less blackheads around the nose and the pores do not appear more refined nor the skin deep cleansed. This is such a light mask, that it doesn’t feel like anything is happening on the skin. The mask takes a bit of extra effort and water to rinse well and there seemed to be a bit of residue left that I needed to take off with toner on a cotton pad (I quite like this toner and these toner mates). The skin felt maybe more smooth applying to dry skin in a thick layer. Unlike other clay masks, this one from The Inkey List doesn’t seem to really stay on the skin long enough before sort of drying down and disappearing. The Inkey List Kaolin Clay mask may be better suited to dry or sensitive skin with minimal issues. A kaolin clay mask that performed well for clarity of the skin and deep cleansing the pores is that from Michael Todd. Also, while not a similar product, I get better results with NIOD’s Sanskrit Saponins using as a mask/cleanse when compared to The Inkey List Kaolin Clay.

I would not repurchase the Kaolin Clay mask from The Inkey List.

Thank you for reading.