Inside INKEYLab: The Inkey List’s new fast-track innovation hub for next-gen products and consumer co-creation

Building on its reputation for introducing trending, next-generation ingredients, The Inkey List is accelerating innovation with the launch of INKEYLab, a "test and learn" platform designed to bring products to market quickly.

Dedicated to exploring the latest trends and ingredients - and putting its community at the heart of innovation - co-founder Colette Laxton shares exclusive details on the new concept with TheIndustry.beauty.

How it works

With a three-to-six-month development timeline, INKEYLab allows the brand to move products from concept to market rapidly, providing an opportunity to evaluate innovation and gauge consumer interest before scaling production. The platform operates as a continuous stream of product innovation, released in limited quantities through 'Insiders only' drops.

"We have always been obsessed with innovation and delivering to the market fast and accessibly, notably being first to market with polyglutamic acid, tranexamic acid, and affordable exosomes. INKEYLab is taking our innovation spirit and delivering in a new way, even faster and with our community at the heart, co-creating with us," explains Laxton.

"We are ripping up the rule book and operating with an agile three-to-six-month development timeline, enabling us to give consumers what they want, when they are searching for it."

Decision-making for new launches is both data-driven and community-led, using TikTok search and trend monitoring to identify emerging ingredients and evolving skincare needs.

Customers also play an "active role" in shaping these launches, providing feedback, participating in testing, and helping guide product development, with rewards such as early access or bonus points as part of the process.

"We have an incredible data led ecosystem (named INK-IQ) which allows us to gain insights in real-time across multiple platforms, and we pair this with the millions of conversations we are having with our customers through our free skincare service askINKEY," Laxton tells TheIndustry.beauty.

"We have then taken this to the next level with INKEYLab, as we are bringing customers into the development cycle, meaning consumers help decide what they want, assist in creation, and participate in testing. INKEYLab is truly ‘launched by you, for you,’ making our consumers the ultimate advocates."

INKEYLab also works closely with suppliers who have co-created products with The Inkey List from the start. Some products are already partially formulated and require only final adjustments, while others use ingredients that have already undergone clinical trials and regulatory approval.

Products are launched exclusively with the community on CRM platforms and TikTok, allowing the brand to test consumer sentiment and product messaging while generating buzz through limited-edition drops.

"We wanted to give our community first access to the product launches, as this is built with them, for them, and TikTok gives us the chance to tell the story and really test appetite through live selling. It’s back to the Inkey spirit - breaking the rules and innovating with consumers truly at the heart," reveals Laxton.

She adds that successful products may later join the main NPD pipeline, ensuring The Inkey List invests in products that resonate with both the community and retail partners.

"Each product run will have an incredibly limited quantity vs our usual product orders - this truly is a test and learn without huge marketing campaigns and retailer timelines," she says.

"It’ll be in collaboration with our global retail partners, and will rely on the success of the product, the technology and ingredients used, and the consumer audience that demands it. If we can find a way to launch these skus into retail fast, the INKEYLab can be taken to a whole new level – community led skincare innovation at scale, NOW. And THAT is exciting!"

The first INKEYLab drop

And this isn’t just a platform launch - the brand is also unveiling INKEYLab’s debut product: a vegan PDRN Cell Renewal Serum. This overnight treatment enhances the skin’s natural repair process, ideal for fatigued, stressed, or ageing skin. The serum promises a "glass glow", offering a radiant base for makeup or a natural, no-makeup look.

PDRN, or Polydeoxyribonucleotide, is known for stimulating cell regeneration, promoting wound healing, reducing inflammation, and supporting tissue repair. The new serum contains 20,000 PPM (2%) vegan PDRN, a concentration designed to maximise benefits while minimising irritation.

"We have seen a very recent explosion of this ingredient trending online as the rise of clinic first ingredients are hitting the mainstream. It was a community ask and something we noticed as an upcoming trend via our community requesting on TikTok specifically," says Laxton.

"So, [fellow co-founder] Mark has been in the background trying to understand the ‘INKEY spin’ on this ingredient – quality, efficacy, affordability and accessible to all (in this case vegan). The instant glass skin effect of this formulation is incredible and we knew it would be a great product for our consumers for this time of year."

NKEYLab launches on 12 November during TikTok’s 'Skincare Brand Week', with its debut PDRN Serum available exclusively on TikTok Shop for £18.