How Colette Laxton & The Inkey List Took The Guesswork Out Of Skincare
She’s the co-founder who cut through skincare jargon and turned it into a global phenomenon. With The Inkey List, Colette Laxton made us ingredient-obsessed, simplified routines, and proved that great skin doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. Now she’s on a mission to keep beauty smarter, sharper, and way more accessible. Here, Colette reveals her beauty secrets, the products she swears by and her biggest “pinch me” moment.
What is your earliest beauty memory?
Getting ready for a dancing show around age 5 – we had this fold-out beauty case, and I was obsessed with it. The red lip we wore just stuck with me as a way to feel confident on (and off) stage.
What’s in your toiletry bag?
It’s a complete mess – I am a more-is-more kind of gal who travels most weeks, so if you need a safety pin / Compeed / random eye mask, I have got you covered. I would say it’s 70% skincare and 30% make-up – maintaining good skin is my thing…
What are your makeup bag heroes?
I am a simple girl – the illuminating skin primer, skin tint where I need to cover, a comb-based mascara and a slick of cheek and lip tint. And GO!
What’s on your beauty repeat buy list?
Skincare always (exclusively The INKEY List), but beyond that, I prioritise a healthy dewy glow – The Vieve Skin Nova is my absolute go-to (I have bought at least 5 of them) and the Milk Jelly Tints are a great cheek and lip stain for an easy on-the-go healthy and ‘easy’ look.
Fresh-faced and in joggers or red-carpet glam and a full face of makeup?
Fresh-faced and chic basics (not joggers) – does that count? I didn’t even wear foundation on my wedding day, so I’m all about the no-makeup look, but I love to look put together in a ‘I just threw this on’ way.
What are your go-to skin saviours?
I have been in a very strict routine for six months in the run-up to my wedding, and I focused on hydration and glow (plus keeping blemishes at bay). It’s very simple (the same products twice a day) and consists of a super hydrating cleanser to clean but nourish my skin (INKEY Cream to Milk Cleanser), a skin regeneration and glow boosting serum (INKEY Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex….Tip: this is the game-changer), our new 360 Skin Clearing Serum on my chin for preventing any hormonal acne arriving, and a rich yet fast absorbing moisturiser to smooth and lock in the goodness (INKEY Bioactive Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturiser).
What is your go-to treatment?
Honestly, I don’t have time for beauty treatments, and even getting my hair and nails done is such a faff. However, I do prioritise massage and go to my therapist as often as I can to get a deep tissue/sports massage to sort my tense back from stress. I also bought a mini Thera-gun to keep my knots at bay when on the road.
What beauty/health advice would you give your twenty-year-old self?
Wear the damn sunscreen. I have dark spots from years of loving a tan (especially as an acne sufferer). I also wish fitness were a part of my life from my twenties – It is a slog at this age to try to get back into the routine. Be strong, be healthy.
Where do you shop for special and unique beauty finds?
I am in NYC a lot, so I love to explore independents and brand pop-ups to see what is new and exclusive – and always have a mooch around Credo when in town. Honestly, right now TikTok is the place to find newness at speed – it’s about researching and working out which are fads, and which are truly interesting.
If you could only recommend one INKEY product to a total skincare newbie, what would it be and why?
Don’t make me do this, I could pick 5! As a newbie, outside of INKEY, please prioritise washing your face properly with the right cleanser and using SPF every single day. In short, we believe that hydration is key to healthy skin, so our Hyaluronic Acid Serum is the best way to make a difference in your skin – use a small amount on damp skin after cleansing.
What’s one skincare myth you wish would just disappear?
Brands’ emphasis on skin exfoliation. We are all over exfoliating and damaging our skin barriers – it’s a tough one to fix, so please take it easy.
Talk us through your fitness regime?
I am very new to fitness – I got a virtual personal trainer 10 months ago, and he’s been helping me to understand what I am putting in my body and building training around my lifestyle and travel. I prioritise weight training (I am so weak, so building slowly) and am shocked at the change in my body – stronger and leaner as I go into my 40th year!
Do you have any wellness rituals?
My life is so chaotic, I struggle with this – but anything to help me sleep with jet lag is very welcome. I have just started using Ancient & Brave True nightcap drink in the evening to try to signal to my body it’s bedtime. I also work out first thing, no matter where I am – if it’s not done, then it ain’t happening.
Do you take any supplements? If so, which ones and why?
I am a firm believer in magnesium for sleep – it’s been a game-changer for me. I have recently started taking creatine gummies (although I am yet to be convinced), and I am a big fan of electrolytes, especially when on the go.
What’s been the biggest “pinch-me” moment since launching the brand?
Getting a global 30-country deal with Sephora after just six months. We were two broke founders with an idea, so getting this type of support and recognition from my dream retailer was such a pinch-me moment. Then the moment I saw my brand in Boots was mind-blowing – I had worked there for 10 years, so I knew how hard it is to get a brand onto the shelves. That was the moment I let myself believe this was all real.
You’ve grown a global cult following – what has surprised you most about the INKEY customer community?
How fiercely loyal they are. We have truly helped change their skin, which is such a huge, huge deal (believe me, as an acne sufferer, I get it), and I find that once someone has a great experience with our products, they stick with us and shout from the rooftops. It is the very BEST feeling to hear someone found our brand through a recommendation.
Finally, finish this sentence: Beauty should feel like…
A shift internally. That feeling of confidence – that your outer self represents the strong and beautiful person inside (and a slick of red lipstick never hurts).
