If you're a fan of straightforward, effective, and budget-friendly skincare, chances are you already have a shelf full of products from The Inkey List. Known for its single-ingredient focus and transparent, no-fluff approach, the brand makes it easy to build a routine that targets specific concerns without breaking the bank.
But the world of affordable skincare is bigger than ever, with tons of cool brands offering similar science-backed formulas and wallet-friendly prices. If you're ready to expand your skincare horizons, here are 18 brands like The Inkey List worth adding to your routine.
Often seen as The Inkey List's biggest rival, The Ordinary is the brand that started the no-frills, ingredient-focused skincare movement. You'll find a massive lineup of potent serums, acids, and treatments in their signature minimalist, scientific-looking dropper bottles. Their products, typically priced from $5 to $20, are loved for their clinical-strength formulations.
While both brands preach transparency and affordability, The Ordinary often offers more high-concentration actives, making it a favorite among skincare aficionados who know exactly what ingredients their skin needs. If you love tracking results and experimenting with potent formulas, this is your jam.
Shop now at theordinary.com
With a mission to create "skincare that works at a fair price," Good Molecules is a perfect alternative to The Inkey List. Their product line features effective, science-backed formulas with an emphasis on ingredient transparency, showing you exactly what’s inside each bottle and why. Prices are incredibly accessible, with most items falling in the $6 to $15 range.
What sets them apart is their dedication to providing premium-feeling formulas without the markup. If you appreciate clean ingredients and clear-cut product categories (toners, serums, moisturizers), Good Molecules delivers high-quality skincare without the confusion.
Shop now at goodmolecules.com
If your main skin concern is maintaining a healthy, happy skin barrier, CeraVe is your go-to. Developed with dermatologists, this drugstore hero focuses on restoring the skin with essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and their patented MVE technology for long-lasting hydration. Prices generally run from $10 to $25.
While The Inkey List focuses on single active ingredients, CeraVe is all about gentle, foundational care for the entire family. It's a no-brainer for anyone with sensitive, dry, or irritation-prone skin who wants reliable, dermatologist-trusted basics.
Shop now at cerave.com
Versed offers clean, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare that's both effective and accessible. Available at Target, their products are designed to be results-driven but without harmful ingredients. With most items priced between $10 and $25, Versed delivers on affordability and clean performance.
Think of Versed as the fun, eco-conscious sister to The Inkey List. While still focused on proven ingredients, their recyclable packaging and community-driven approach bring a fresh, modern vibe to the affordable skincare aisle.
Shop now at versedskin.com
Hailing from the French pharmacies, La Roche-Posay is another dermatologist-favorite brand that's fantastic for sensitive and problem-prone skin. Their formulations are centered around their signature Thermal Spring Water, which is known for its soothing and antioxidant properties. Prices for essentials typically range from $15 to $40.
Compared to The Inkey List's specific ingredient approach, La Roche-Posay focuses on overall skin tolerance and efficacy, making it a trusted choice for managing conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema. Their sunscreens and barrier repair creams are undisputed cult favorites.
Shop now at laroche-posay.us
Paula's Choice is a science-first brand that champions ingredient transparency and effective, non-irritating formulations. They have solutions for every imaginable skin concern, from acne and aging to discoloration. While slightly more expensive than The Inkey List (with bestsellers around $30-$50), their products are backed by extensive research.
Consider Paula's Choice the next step up when you're ready to invest in more complex, multi-ingredient formulas. Their 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a holy-grail product for a reason - it delivers incredible results.
Shop now at paulaschoice.com
Famous for impossibly affordable makeup, e.l.f. also has a seriously impressive skincare line. E.l.f. Skin offers cruelty-free, vegan products packed with hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides, with most items priced under $15. Their Holy Hydration! collection is a standout for being both effective and incredibly budget-friendly.
E.l.f. Skin brings a fun, trendy energy similar to its makeup line, often creating affordable "dupes" for popular high-end products. It's perfect for those who love playing with new textures and ingredients without commitment.
Shop now at elfcosmetics.com
Neutrogena is a classic drugstore staple for a reason. As a dermatologist-recommended brand for over 60 years, they offer reliable, science-backed skincare that you can trust. From their iconic Hydro Boost line to their Rapid Wrinkle Repair retinol products, they provide effective solutions at great prices (usually $10-$30).
While The Inkey List is great for targeted single-ingredient boosters, Neutrogena excels at creating staple products like cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens that form the backbone of a solid routine.
Shop now at neutrogena.com
If you wish your skincare routine felt a little more fun, meet Glow Recipe. This K-beauty inspired brand is known for its fruit-powered formulas, dreamy textures, and cute shelfie-worthy packaging. Their products, priced between $20 and $50, blend potent actives with fruit extracts for a sensorial glow-up.
Glow Recipe trades The Inkey List's minimalist vibe for a playful, delightful experience. It demonstrates that effective skincare doesn't have to be boring - you can have your watermelon-scented hyaluronic acid and great results, too.
Shop now at glowrecipe.com
Instantly recognizable by its colorful, block-shaped packaging, Byoma is all about rebuilding the skin barrier. Every product is supercharged with their proprietary Tri-Ceramide Complex to boost, rebuild, and balance the skin. Their serums, mists, and moisturizers are accessibly priced around $15-$20.
While The Inkey List helps you target specific problems, Byoma focuses on creating a universally strong foundation for healthier skin. Their easy-to-understand system makes them perfect for skincare beginners or anyone who has overdone it with the exfoliants.
Shop now at byoma.com
Naturium offers clinically-effective, biocompatible skincare that looks and feels way more expensive than it is. The brand focuses on pairing powerful natural botanicals with potent active ingredients, with cult-favorite serums and cleansers usually priced between $15 and $25.
Known for its chic, minimalist aesthetic and high-performance formulas (like their Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%), Naturium feels like a luxury brand without the luxury price tag. It's ideal for those who want sophisticated skincare science on a budget.
Shop now at naturium.com
A giant in the world of K-beauty, COSRX is beloved for its effective, minimal-ingredient formulas designed for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Their products are direct and to-the-point, with star ingredients like snail mucin, propolis, and BHA. Bestsellers like the Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence are typically priced between $15 and $25.
COSRX shares The Inkey List's mission of simple, powerful skincare. However, their roots in Korean skincare bring unique, gentle-yet-potent ingredients into the mix that work wonders for calming irritation and improving skin texture.
Shop now at cosrx.com
Another K-beauty favorite, Innisfree uses natural, responsibly-sourced ingredients from Korea's volcanic Jeju Island. The brand is known for its gentle-but-effective products that focus on hydration and balance, particularly its Green Tea and Volcanic Clay lines. Expect prices from $15-$30 for most items.
Innisfree offers a more nature-inspired take on affordability. If you love the idea of simple skincare but prefer formulas enriched with soothing botanicals over purely clinical ingredients, Innisfree is a fantastic choice.
Shop now at us.innisfree.com
With its bright, fun packaging and gentle, plant-based formulas, Bubble is designed to make skincare easy and accessible for everyone, especially younger users. Their line includes fragrance-free cleansers, serums, and moisturizers that target common concerns without being harsh. Everything is priced affordably, usually under $20.
Think of Bubble as the younger, friendlier cousin of The Inkey List. It prioritizes creating balanced, non-irritating products that are perfect for those just starting out or anyone with sensitive skin looking for simple, effective routines.
Shop now at hellobubble.com
For those who prioritize clean and compassionate formulas, Pacifica has been a leader in the 100% vegan and cruelty-free space for years. Their skincare lineup offers innovative ingredients and targeted solutions at drugstore prices, typically from $12 to $25. They have everything from glow-boosting vitamin C serums to retinoid-alternative masks.
Pacifica shares The Inkey List's commitment to affordability but with an unwavering focus on sustainability and ethical practices. It's the perfect brand for anyone wanting effective skincare that aligns with their values.
Shop now at pacificabeauty.com
Founded by beauty creator Liah Yoo, KraveBeauty's philosophy is simple: #PressReset. The brand fights the noise of the beauty industry with a core collection of essential, foundational products that respect your skin's natural barrier. With prices around $16-$28, its line is intentionally small but highly effective.
While The Inkey List empowers you to be a skincare chemist, KraveBeauty encourages a "less is more" mindset. Brands like their Great Barrier Relief serum are perfect for when your skin is stressed out and just needs to calm down.
Shop now at kravebeauty.com
A classic in natural skincare, Burt's Bees proves that plant-based ingredients can be incredibly effective. Famous for their lip balm, the brand also has a full range of gentle, nourishing skincare products made from ingredients like royal jelly, aloe, and willow bark. Most skincare products are pocket-friendly, ranging from $8 to $20.
Burt's Bees is the earthy, nature-loving alternative. If you prefer formulas you can easily understand that are derived from flowers and plants, their cleansers and moisturizers are a wonderful, soothing option.
Shop now at burtsbees.com
Cocokind is a clean, conscious, and affordable brand that focuses on gentle actives and sustainable practices. From their cult-favorite ceramide barrier serum to their watermelon hemp oil, their products are designed to support and protect the skin. Everything is thoughtfully priced, hovering between $15 and $25.
Like The Inkey List, Cocokind values transparency, but they go a step further by showing efficacy stats and carbon footprint details right on the box. It’s an amazing choice for mindful consumers who want great formulas from a brand with a strong mission.
Shop now at cocokind.com
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