This post will review The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF30.
It’s been ages since I used and reviewed any products from The Inkey List.
Around the time they were launched and after trying a few products, I found the entire brand a bit dodgy.
Yes, they wanted to give The Ordinary a run for its money, but they fell short by trying to offer us fewer products for sometimes more money.
The biggest ick for me was their packaging.
Compared to the pipette glass bottles The Ordinary is known for, they chose opaque tubes and bottles, which usually came with even fewer products.
There’s nothing worse than pressing a new tube or bottle of product from The Inkey List and seeing how little product is in there.
At least with The Ordinary, the glass bottles are usually filled to the top.
Anyway, the whole debacle quickly put me off the brand.
Also, I noticed how little innovation they had, so I just added them to the list of skincare brands at the drugstore that I’ll never buy from again.
But then I saw this sunscreen, and unfortunately, I couldn’t resist.
If there’s anything I love, it’s good dewy sunscreen.
I’ve been using it for a bit now, and I have a few thoughts.
First Impressions of The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF30
According to The Inkey List:
The most important step in your skincare routine, Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 is your daily necessity for protected, primed and dewy skin.
A broad-spectrum SPF 30 with UVA & UVB protection, this lightweight sunscreen has been formulated to work for all skin tones and blend seamlessly into the skin leaving an undetectable, dewy finish (97% said it looked invisible on their skin tone*).
Loaded with skin-loving ingredients including an 8% hydration trio which combines Polyglutamic Acid, Glycerin and Squalane, it helps to lock in moisture delivering an ultra-hydrating boost.
The non-greasy, non-pilling formula leaves skin smooth, dewy, and primed creating the perfect base when worn alone or applied under makeup. It’s time to enjoy protection without compromise.
Ingredient List, Fragrance & Sunscreen Filters
Before now, I hadn’t really used any product with Polyglutamic Acid as I wasn’t sure how well it performed compared to Hyaluronic Acid, so I was excited to try it.
On further research, I found that Polyglutamic Acid is a humectant that can hold four times as much moisture as Hyaluronic Acid and improves the skin’s moisture binding and retention properties.
According to The Inkey List, they have combined;
8% Hydration trio of Polyglutamic Acid, Glycerin and Squalane: helps lock in moisture for a smooth, dewy finish.
Honestly, this is exactly what drew me into the product.
There’s nothing I love more than a dewy product.
As always, it is alcohol, essential oil and fragrance-free.
Compared to all the Cerave sunscreens I’ve used recently, this one literally smells like nothing.
There’s no overbearing chemical sunscreen scent lingering when using the product.
For their second SPF product, The Inkey List did an excellent job and improved from their first mineral sunscreen.
Sunscreen Filters
I was a bit disappointed to find out that this sunscreen had a SPF of 30 rather than 50.
But knowing how difficult it is to formulate sunscreens, this is honestly better than nothing.
It’s great for everyday wear with or without makeup.
I managed to find one with the percentages for the sunscreen filters, which I think is because the product is also sold in the US, where sunscreens are classified as drugs.
On the UK website, you won’t see anything about the percentages.
Anyway, let’s get down to it:
- 10% Octocrylene – provides UVA & UVB protection
- 5% Octisalate – provides UVB protection
- 3% Avobenzone – provides UVA protection
- 3% Ensulizole – provides UVB protection
The filters come together to provide a broad spectrum protection.
I’m not really picky about sunscreen filters as I’m not sensitive to them.
If you are experiencing reactions such as eye-stinging, you need to review all the sunscreens you have used and find the common denominator.
You might just be reacting to one of the filters
Packaging, Texture & Consistency
This sunscreen is packaged in a 50ml tube, which feels little, which is honestly typical for the brand.
Their packaging always makes you feel you’re getting scammed.
Anyway, the tube dispenses a thick but lightweight creamy consistency.
It might look heavy at first glance, but as you apply and blend it in, it immediately melts into your skin like a chemical sunscreen.
Despite my issues with the quantity of the product, the packaging is excellent as you only dispense what you need.
This product is great if you have dry or dehydrated skin or you’re like me and want to skip the moisturizer in the mornings.
Price & Avaliability
This 50ml sunscreen retails for £/$15, which is the standard price for sunscreens on the market.
I probably would not buy it again because I can get the 75ml or even 150ml Bondi Sands SPF 50 – which is my go-to moisturising sunscreen – for less.
The sunscreen is sold everywhere you can get The Inkey List products.
Review of The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF30
As it is getting warmer now, I’m trying to simplify my AM routines and take a break from the heavy layering I did in the winter.
So, a hydrating sunscreen like this comes in really handy because I can compensate for using fewer hydrating products by going heavy with it.
I also use Tretinoin 0.1% at night, so I need all the hydration and moisture I can get.
Surprisingly, I actually like this sunscreen.
It’s easy to use, hydrating and doesn’t leave a white cast.
Plus, it blends in super quickly.
I put a glob of product on my palm and apply it all over my face, and I’m done in about two minutes.
That’s how quickly it blends in.
Does it really have a dewy finish?
Yes, it does, but it is not as dewy as I would like, which is completely understandable as it is supposed to also be worn under makeup without piling or being too greasy.
This makes it excellent for all skin types to use.
You can definitely get away with using it alone if your skin isn’t dehydrated.
To summarize, let’s look at the pros and cons;
Pros
- Chemical filters provide broad-spectrum protection.
- No white cast
- Hydrating and suitable for all skin types
- Doesn’t sting the eyes
- Non-greasy and non-sticky
- Absorbs quickly into the skin on application
- It leaves a dewy finish that is great to wear with or without makeup.
Cons
- The price-to-quantity ratio isn’t that great; it’s too small, especially for regular sunscreen users.
Finally,
The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF30 is definitely an impressive product.
It’s nothing really innovative per se, but after the backlash from their mineral sunscreen not catering to all skin tones, they went back to the drawing board and came out with this one.
I must say, it is quite excellent and definitely worth trying.
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