The INKEY List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer

The INKEY List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer
5.9
/ 10
Moisturizing
7.6 Humectancy icon Humectancy
4.2 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants

Review

Does The INKEY List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using The INKEY List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 5.9 out of 10.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Well-suited moisturizer for normal skin with a relatively lightweight texture

According to CreamScan analysis, The INKEY List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.9 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Rather humectant. It has a high humectancy of 7.6 out of 10, primarily due to the substantial concentration of Glycerin (est. ≈4.0%) and Propanediol (est. ≈3.0%), and a moderate occlusivity of 4.2 out of 10, mainly due to the significant content of Squalane (est. ≈6.0%) and Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil (est. ≈2.0%).

This type of moisturizer is well-suited for people with normal skin. It combines a high concentration of humectants with a significant amount of occlusive ingredients to deliver effective dual-action moisturizing for normal skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, The INKEY List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Bakuchiol, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Bakuchiol provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Rich in skin-protecting antioxidants

We estimate that The INKEY List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil (est. ≈2.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Squalane
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Function:
Origin:
Bakuchiol
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Caproyl Prolinate
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Carbomer
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 60
Function:
Origin:
Phytic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Function:
Origin:
Sorbitan Isostearate
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
7.6
4
3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
8.3
6.0
2.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 7.6 10
7.6
4
3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 8.3 20
4.2
6.0
2.0
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
4
3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 7.6 10
7.6
All humectants
7.6
4
3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
6
2
0.3
All occlusives 8.3 20
4.2
All occlusives
8.3
6.0
2.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 1 -
Total
0
Bakuchiol
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
1
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
2
1
0.3
All antioxidants 3.3 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
3.3
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
2
Bakuchiol
1
Tocopherol
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Squalane
Est. %6
Function
Origin
SqualaneAn occlusive moisturizing and emollient compound that forms part of the skin’s sebum. The main source of squalane had always been shark liver. Now, however, it is manufactured synthetically or derived from plant oils, such as olive and peanut oil.
Glycerin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Propanediol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed OilAn occlusive moisturizing fatty oil derived from the seeds of a South American tree known as Inca nut. It is rich in emollient alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, vitamin E, and various phenolic compounds.
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Dicaprylyl CarbonateA very fast-spreading emollient that gives a product an incredibly lightweight feel. Dicaprylyl carbonate works well as a solvent for suspending insoluble solids such as mineral sunscreens or iron oxide pigments.
Bakuchiol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
BakuchiolA newly discovered bioactive obtained from the seeds of Babchi. It boosts collagen production like retinol, but with fewer side effects. Its effects include reduced wrinkles and faded pigmentation.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Sodium Caproyl Prolinate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Caproyl Prolinate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerAn emulsion stabilizer and thickener that helps to create a pleasant, satiny, and light formula texture. It works by forming a gel-like network within water or oil, which both stabilizes other ingredients and produces a thickening effect.
Carbomer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CarbomerA synthetic ingredient with the ability to gel water. When used in emulsions, such as lotions and creams, carbomer can also act as an emulsion stabilizer.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthylhexylglycerinA preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Stearoyl GlutamateA useful ingredient for both cleansing and emulsifying purposes. It is a powerful agent for washing away dirt and oils from the skin.
Polysorbate 60
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 60An ester based on sorbitan. It is good for emulsifying water and oils together – specifically making oil-in-water emulsions. Polysorbate 60 is also said to give a product a notable fragrance.
Phytic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Phytic AcidPhytic acid is found in rice and is seen as a cousin of alpha-hydroxy acids. As a chelator, it can bind to certain metals that may cause discoloration in products or reduce the efficacy of other ingredients.
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glyceryl PolyacrylateA synthetic thickening polymer that can be used in a variety of product types. This polymer can feel lightweight but can also stand up to heavier ingredients in products like body butters.
Sorbitan Isostearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sorbitan IsostearateA mild yet powerful emulsifier primarily utilized to produce water-in-oil emulsions. It helps to create a particularly rich and substantial emulsion.
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.