itk Skincare is an affordable online skincare brand launched by influencers Brooklyn and Bailey, who have a popular YouTube channel with over seven million subscribers. The brand is sold at Walmart, and the products are advertised as “straightforward and simple,” and free of harmful ingredients.
But does itk Skincare contain research-backed ingredients for improving skin quality and appearance? Does the brand use any questionable additives? Did Kylie Cosmetics copy them? And how do real users rate and describe the effects of itk Skincare?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in two of itk Skincare’s most popular products (Prebiotic Gel Moisturizer and Nightly Clarifying Serum) to give our take on whether or not they’re likely to be effective, and whether or not they're healthy.
We’ll also share a popular YouTube video alleging that Kylie Cosmetics copied itk, and feature real itk Skincare customer reviews.
Prebiotic Gel Moisturizer Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in itk Skincare Prebiotic Gel Moisturizer are shown above.
This product contains a number of research-backed moisturizing ingredients.
Niacinamide has been shown to smooth out wrinkles and moisturize the skin in a medical review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Aloe vera leaf juice is clinically shown to increase skin hydration, and is considered one of the most effective botanical moisturizers.
Squalane is one of the most potent skin moisturizers, as we documented in our review of another skincare brand featuring this ingredient called Biossance.
Glycerin was shown to increase skin moisture content by around 15% when applied topically in a 2001 clinical trial.
While Prebiotic Moisturizer Gel has some effective active ingredients, it also has some questionable additive ingredients.
Sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and phenoxyethanol are preservatives, the last of which was shown to be toxic to human cells in a 2020 clinical trial.
This was an in vitro (test tube) trial, which makes the results weaker than a human trial, but we still believe it’s worth noting.
Overall, we consider Prebiotic Gel Moisturizer likely to be effective for moisturizing the skin, and we’re impressed by the potency of this formulation especially considering the price (under $15).
We don’t currently recommend this product due to the three preservative ingredients.
Did Kylie Cosmetics Copy itk?
A popular YouTube channel called “Drama Investigator” shares some allegations about Kylie Cosmetics copying itk skincare:
Nightly Clarifying Serum Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in itk Skincare Nightly Clarifying Serum are shown above.
This product is used to clarify skin and have anti-aging effects, and like the previous itk product we reviewed, it contains a number of research-backed ingredients.
Jojoba seed oil has a number of dermatological applications according to a 2013 medical review.
The study authors documented that jojoba seed oil has skin-moisturizing effects, and proposed that it may have anti-aging effects as well.
Bakuchiol is a chemical compound derived from the babchi plant native to India.
As we documented in our review of Paula’s Choice Exfoliant, it has been clinically shown to reduce wrinkles. It's also a less irritating alternative to retinoids according to a medical review.
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 are members of a class of compounds called peptides, and topical application of peptides has been clinically shown to reduce wrinkles by 6-13%.
Sodium hyaluronate is one of the most well-studied anti-aging ingredients, and is another effective ingredient choice.
Phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate are the preservatives in this formulation, and we explained in the previous Ingredient Analysis section why we recommend avoiding phenoxyethanol.
Overall, we consider itk Skincare Nightly Clarifying Serum likely to not only provide the clarifying effect that the brand claims it will, but also to reduce wrinkles and visible signs of aging.
We’re highly impressed by the potency of this formulation for its price, however we don’t currently recommend it due to the inclusion of phenoxyethanol.
Real People Try itk Skincare
A YouTube creator named “SincerelyFlora” tried various itk Skincare products and included before-and-after images:
A TikTok creator named Jordyn Asplin shares her thoughts after using itk Skincare for 31 days:
@jordyn.asplin ITK SKINCARE UPDATE DAY 31!!! #itk #skincare #skincaretips #nighttimeroutine ♬ original sound - Jordyn Asplin
Hear From itk’s Founders
itk’s founders Brooklyn and Bailey have a video on their YouTube page with over 300,000 views, where they explain the launch of their brand and describe the benefits of the different products:
Our Clean Skincare Picks
Annie Mak Vitamin C Serum is our top anti-aging serum.
It contains hyaluronic acid which was described as a "skin-rejuvenating biomedicine" in a medical review due to its ability to reduce wrinkles and signs of facial aging.
Ritual HyaCera is our top anti-aging skin supplement.
It contains wheat oil extract which is clinically shown to "improve skin damages induced by aging."
Both of the products recommended in this section are entirely free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.
itk Skincare Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of itk Skincare in our opinion:
Pros:
- Many research-backed ingredients
- Affordable
- Great potency for the price
- No seriously questionable additives like fragrance
- Highly favorable customer reviews
- Available at Walmart
Cons:
- Some products contain phenoxyethanol
