Age Defence Solution Routine

Age Defence Solution Routine is The INKEY List's four-step set for skin that already has deep wrinkles, uneven texture or patchy tone — not first-signs territory. The retinol is the engine here; the other three steps are the cleanse, hydration and barrier support that make a 1% retinol liveable.

Step 1 — Clean	Oat Cleansing Balm
Step 2 — Hydrate	Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Step 3 — Treat (PM only)	Scar, Mark & Wrinkle Solution · 1% Retinol
Step 4 — Moisturise	Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturizer
Written for	Deep wrinkles and/or uneven texture and tone

What it actually does

• Leads with the brand's strongest retinol. Scar, Mark & Wrinkle Solution carries 1% retinol — the highest concentration The INKEY List offers — and the brand says it smooths wrinkles and improves skin texture across four weeks.
• Addresses what changes with age. The brand's reasoning: cell production and renewal slow down over time, and less collagen and elastin means skin reads less firm and less smooth, with wrinkles more obvious.
• Protects the barrier while you treat. A weakened structure also holds moisture less well, which shows up as dryness and dehydration — the reason hydration and ceramides are built into the set rather than optional.
• Keeps cleansing gentle. Oat Cleansing Balm handles makeup and the day's build-up without stripping skin that's about to receive a high-strength active.
• Hydrates before treating. Hyaluronic Acid Serum goes on before the retinol, so skin isn't dry when the strongest step lands.
• Finishes with ceramides. Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturizer closes the routine, nourishing skin and sealing the earlier layers in.

How to use

1. Patch test first. The brand recommends it before a first use and whenever you add something new — sensible advice with 1% retinol.
2. Cleanse. Massage a raspberry-sized amount of the balm over damp face and neck for a full minute, then rinse well with water.
3. Hydrate. A few drops of Hyaluronic Acid Serum straight after.
4. Treat — evenings only. A pea-sized amount of the 1% retinol solution, massaged over face and neck. Begin at one application every five to seven days, and only move up towards every two to three days if your skin handles it comfortably.
5. Moisturise. A blueberry-sized amount of the ceramide moisturiser over face and neck to finish.
6. Mornings: cleanse, hydrate, moisturise, then SPF. Sunscreen is the final morning step and isn't negotiable once retinol is in the routine. The retinol itself stays out of the AM.

Is it right for you?

Questions

Can I use the retinol every night?

No — not at this strength. The brand's guidance is to space it five to seven days apart at the start, then work up to roughly every two to three days if your skin copes. That's the ceiling, not a stepping stone to nightly use.

Why is the retinol PM only?

Because the routine is designed that way: the cleanse, hydrate and moisturise steps run morning and evening, while the 1% retinol step belongs to the evening alone, with SPF closing out the morning instead.

Is this the same as the anti-aging intro routine?

No. This one is written for skin with deeper wrinkles and uneven texture or tone, and uses the brand's highest retinol percentage. If you're at the first-lines stage, the gentler retinol routine is the better starting point.

Is sunscreen included?

No — the set covers cleansing, hydration, treatment and moisturiser. The routine assumes you finish your morning with an SPF of your own, which matters more than usual while you're using retinol.

How long does shipping take?

3 to 21 working days, depending on availability. In-stock pieces move quickly; anything sourced for your order takes nearer the upper end. Weekends and official holidays aren't counted as working days.

What are my payment options?

Credit card, debit card, Instapay and mobile wallets, all at checkout. There's no cash on delivery.

What if one of the four products arrives damaged?

Let us know within 1 day of delivery, with a photo of the problem. Our policy covers defective, damaged or expired items only; once verified, the refund goes to your original payment method within 15–30 days.