Review: The Inkey List – Peptide Moisturizer

Where to purchase: From the Inkey List Website HERE

Price: £14.99

Volume: 50ml

What is it?: A daily moisturiser containing 2 peptides that help ‘Reduce Wrinkles.’ – Peptides are chains of Amino Acids – these apparently help the maintenance of proteins (i.e. like Collagen) that are normally in the skin, to help slow down the signs of ageing.

Description: A ”fast-absorbing” moisturiser that helps support collagen in the skin and hydrates the skin. Amino acids support the firming, hydrating proteins in one’s skin. ”With continued use, these peptides should help support natural collagen to delay the signs of ageing.” (from the Inkey List website)

Good for: Dry Skin – is what the Inkey List says and I would agree with them. And also dry skins sensitive to essential oils / fragrance as this has none.

Packaging: It’s that really cool airtight pump packaging, very reminiscent of the Drunk Elephant Polypeptide cream. I really like this type of packaging for a moisturiser as it’s hygienic, travel friendly and slows down the oxidation of active ingredients.

pH: 6.0-7.0 (Quite Neutral then!)

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Directions: ”For AM and PM use – apply a pea-sized amount to the face and neck, apply after serums.” (From the Inkey List website).

How I use it: I can apply this straight after washing my face (with water) in the AM and just before SPF (the Nivea UV Face Shine Control, review HERE) AND in the PM, this would be at the end of my routine, locks it all in. HOWEVER I can’t use this on a hot day – i.e. in the PM I could not use this as a moisturiser as it simply feels too heavy. I actually opted for something thinner as a moisturiser such as the Skinceuticals HA Intensifier, Review HERE. I find that I could also use this prior to makeup use as this provides a nice base to the skin for foundation application.

Key Ingredients: 2% Royal Epigen P5™ – Also called: ”Pentapeptide-48” – This is obtained from Royal Jelly (ideal at 2-3% so this chekcs out) – this helps even skin tone and reduce the sign of skin ageing. ”Accelerates epidermal regeneration for a smooth skin”.

The Other Peptide (1% Hydrating Peptide Solution): ”Acetyl hexapeptide-37” Supports the Moisture Barrier of one’s skin. It contains many amino acids: alanine, proline, serine and glycine. This works with aquaporins in the skin to provide hydration between the layers of the skin. So that is why this is directed towards dehydrated and dry skin.

This also contains Shea Butter to provide that creaminess and then Triglyceride as an emollient. I could understand why the addition of Shea Butter would be off-putting for those with oily skins or those in hot humid weather, as this definitely feels heavy if I’m trying to apply when I’m hot.

Full 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, Ethylhexyl-glycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Maltodextrin, Pentapeptide-48.

NOTE: The Incidecoder have an ingredient list breakdown HERE

Texture: This looks like it would be a watery cream (I was expecting the Krave Beauty Oat So Simple Cream) – but actually this is a cream I would see more suited for dry skins or skins in dry weather OR for those with oily skin who have an extremely short routine i.e. if you don’t stack this on top of layers of serums, then this wouldn’t feel too heavy. But for me who likes lightweight texture, this seems too much if I’ve added 2 hydrating serums prior. So this has worked better for me in the AM when I literally cleanse, tone, moisturise, spf and out the door. I think those with oily skins would need to use just a little bit of this to thin it out and spread it across the face, reducing the risk of it feeling heavy.

This definitely has a mixture of oil and water but more on the oil/creamy side for me. It’s not sticky and never leaves the skin feeling tacky. It’s also layerable.

The texture actually really reminds me of a slightly lighter version of the Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask (but I have my own issues with that mask, that are also quite similar to this, Review HERE)

I don’t have an issue with this spreading on the skin, but I can feel that it is on my skin i.e. it’s not so thin that it disappears. It absolutely does have a moisturising feeling more so than a hydrating feeling. So yes, I think this is geared towards dry or/and mature skins.

If you like a creamlike texture then you’ll enjoy this. It’s not unbearably thick for me, but if I was hot and sweaty then I don’t think I’d feel comfortable in this. As said previously, this is a good AM Moisturiser for me because I have a very short AM routine. Not so good for the PM as I have too may layers underneath that make this too heavy for me.

Youtube Video – My PM Routine! You can see a live swatch of the cream and how it sits on the skin in Real time!

Fragrance?: No added fragrance / EO

Good Under Makeup?: Yes and fine under SPF

How long have I been using this?: About a month

The Effect?: Moisturised Skin! I don’t see any anti-ageing effects but I don’t use a moisturiser for that and don’t really expect it to (that’s where my serums come in). This is meant to keep the skin looking healthy, and I think it does do that just fine! And as said before, it works as a good primer too.

What I like:

• No added fragrance/EO
• I love the packaging (Extremely easy/convenient
• Hygienic Packaging
• Travel-friendly packaging
• I like the addition of peptides (elevates from a regular moisturiser)
• No irritation / Didn’t sting
• Great with a minimalist routine (shouldn’t feel too heavy for those with oily skins if your routine is very short) – i.e. in the AM when I need to get out the door, this is fine to get some mositurisation in before my SPF. But obviously this is geared towards dry skins.

What I don’t like:

• Can feel heavy if you have many layers in your routine
• Geared towards dry skins (which I don’t have) so can feel thick
• It’s not a watery, refreshing feeling this moisturiser provides, but definitely a more creamy, indulgent texture.
• Can’t wear when it’s hot (makes my face feel like it can’t breathe in the PM)

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.5/5 This is a nice cream, I just think because it’s not aimed at my skin type, I’m not going to have the best experience with it. I prefer watery and lightweight textures which I don’t find this cream to be. I found it a bit too heavy (especially in the PM when my routine is longer) and therefore a bit uncomfortable to wear. I didn’t expect to see any changes in my skin because when it comes to anti-ageing so I’m not going to judge it on that, as I like creams that have added ingredients for anti-ageing, no matter how small the effect.

So I’m just judging this as a moisturising cream and for me – I love the packaging, and i hope that the Inkey list releases a moisturiser with this packaging, aimed at OILY skins (something that feels like the Krave Oat so simple water cream (review HERE) would be nice, but with added peptides).

So I would recommend this to dry skins as a good dry skin moisturiser, but if you have the same skin type as me, or you live in a hot and humid environment, I don’t think one would like this.

Would I purchase?: No – because I found it a bit too heavy for me.

Dupe?: The Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide cream (but the price is about 3x the £ amount of the inkey list) – I do believe that this cream from drunk elephant however is more watery and thinner in texture, which to be honest – I would probably prefer. But I am not going to spend an extortionate amount for a moisturising cream. If I wanted a peptide cream, I would simply mix the ‘buffet’ from the ordinary or Hylamide Peptide serum into a cream and then apply it on my face. However I don’t have a serum that contains the Royal Epigen like the inkey list peptide mosituriser does.

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.