The Inkey List retinol serum review

Right, let's get serious: my life without a retinol serum is basically a before-and-after photo gone horribly wrong. Picture this: me, pre-retinol, a walking doctor’s note for sun damage. My skin, a patchwork quilt of fine lines, a petri dish of uneven texture and showcasing a guest appearance by my long-time nemesis, the dreaded dark spots.

Enter retinol, my hero skincare product (or rather, a tiny, potent bottle). Suddenly, my skin better reflected a woman 10 years younger. Wrinkles? Shrinking faster than my social media followers. Uneven texture? Smoother than polished brass. Hyperpigmentation? Fading faster than my interest in ping cuisine.

Now, I know what you're thinking: Retinol serum? Sounds too good to be true. Like receiving an unsolicited email from an African prince, offering a lifetime of cash for one small favour. And you know what? I understand. So many skincare ingredients promise amazing results yet miserably fall short. Retinol, if carefully introduced to a routine, is different.

That glow-up is real. My skin looks younger, healthier and, dare I say, radiant. So, while retinol might not be the easiest partner to live with (it can be a bit of a high-maintenance diva), the payoff is simply too good to resist. My under-eye area craves it more than caffeine. It tackles puffy bags like the SAS on steroids.

Having introduced a retinol serum into my anti-ageing routine some years ago, I’ve graduated to a 1% solution. Used morning and night under a moisturiser, it keeps everything in check. But those results, I notice, quickly diminish if I let my regimen slide. I panic if I run out. Panic turns to fear, if I can’t source my favourite serum.

That happened recently. The serum was out of stock online. In desperation, I actually got on a bus and travelled 10 miles to the nearest town. I headed straight for Superdrug and then Boots. Nope, they didn’t have it either. I ended up purchasing the only retinol serum I could find.

The Inkey List retinol serum

I’m not one of those people who have to paw every item that takes their interest in a shop. I survey packaging for keywords and make a decision based on active ingredients and my current needs. You won’t miss me in a store. I’m the one walking around with a product held up above my head - an unfortunate habit I developed as a teen. It manifested after a school assembly that saw the headteacher explain how we should conduct ourselves in a shop. It followed a complaint from a newsagent, who claimed a big group of students had entered his shop and possibly stolen things. The headteacher impressed on us the need to demonstrate an intention to pay when not using a shopping basket.

Anyhow, I bought The Inkey List retinol serum. It’s one of those brands that’s just about everywhere right now, so I thought it was a safe, as well as the only, choice. I didn’t get a chance to have a proper look at what I’d bought until I got home. Honestly, I was initially disappointed.

What I was after was a liquid serum in a dropper bottle. I don’t know why, but I’ve always felt a liquid stands a better chance of penetrating more layers of skin than a cream. Unfortunately, this serum comes in a 30ml tube. It’s also not clear from a quick look at the packaging what concentration of retinol the product contains. My heart sank. Had I just spent over £12 on something that really wasn’t for me?

Online, The Inkey List describes the serum as suitable for beginners - a bit off-putting for a long-timer. Taking a closer look at the ingredients, however, things started to look up. This serum contains 1% retinol acetate, 0.5% granactive retinoid and trending squalane. I was happy to give it a try.

I decided to initially introduce this product into my evening routine as a one-off. I don’t know what I was expecting, because appearances can be deceptive, but the tube contains a light, silky serum that instantly smooths the skin. It’s definitely a serum and not a cream. Cooling and refreshing, it glided over my under-eye area before being quickly absorbed. I liked it!

The instant re-texturising feel has encouraged me to use The Inkey List retinol serum every night - and all over my face. To me, it delivers way more than a bottled serum. I’m on day seven and can say without hesitation that my skin is loving it. I would not have purchased this product had I realised there wasn’t a dropper bottle in the box. Thank goodness I didn’t take a closer look!

This retinol serum has been a great find. Scientifically developed, it delivers all the benefits I enjoyed with my previous serum and a lot more. The Inkey List has exceeded my expectations - not something we can say very often about anti-ageing skincare brands.

The Inkey List retinol serum currently retails for £14. However, if you shop around, you will find it on offer at numerous outlets. I’ve seen it online for under £11. It is recommended for use over hyaluronic acid in the evenings only. Always apply SPF in the mornings, if you use retinol products. Any concerns? Consult a dermatologist.

Sometimes fate can play a hand in our purchasing decisions. It certainly did when I bought this product!

Don't forget to grab your FREE copy of Regime Skin Care's monthly magazine below!