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Elemis vs SK-II

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Elemis and SK-II are established skincare names, with the British brand founded in 1989 and the Japanese brand founded in 1980. Enthusiasts love Elemis for its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners utilizing glycerin and shea, while the other label is known for moisturizers, serums, masks, and balancing toners elevated by pitera. Both brands suit dry sensitive skin, while the former additionally targets mature skin and the latter supports acne-prone complexions. They differ primarily through their signature ingredients and targeted solutions, such as the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream versus the Facial Treatment Essence.

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

This page compares some of the most popular Elemis and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Elemis vs SK-II products

People Say

ElemisSK-II
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Radiance and Glow Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Skin Smoothing and Exfoliation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Prep Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Scent and Fragrance Experience Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “Subtle rose fragrance, spa-like scent, not overpowering. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “expensive — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Underwhelming or Slow Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “didn't see difference — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Verdict still out. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and Skin Reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”

Elemis vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy Elemis routine · AED 2,268.50 · 82% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,470.10 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Elemis vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,468.63 · 88% fitBuy Elemis routine · AED 1,630.94 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Elemis vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,424.45 · 88% fitBuy Elemis routine · AED 1,644.88 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Elemis or SK-II: which is better?

SK-II helps provide a better radiance and glow compared to Elemis, while Elemis offers a pleasant scent and fragrance experience.

What is the difference between Elemis and SK-II?

Elemis is a British brand founded in 1989 that features key ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, whereas SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 that centers its products around Pitera. Reviewers note that SK-II does better for radiance and glow, while Elemis has a high price point and features fragrance in most of the products on this page compared to none for SK-II.

Elemis or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Elemis and SK-II are great options for dry skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High for this skin type. The products on this page help provide hydration and moisture.

Elemis or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Elemis and SK-II both offer highly rated moisturizers, such as Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, which provide great hydration. Elemis is well-liked for its luxurious textures and rich moisturizers, while SK-II focuses on fragrance-free formulas centered around Pitera.

Which is more affordable, Elemis or SK-II?

Reviewers note that Elemis has a high price point.

Which brand has more fragrance in its products, Elemis or SK-II?

Elemis has more fragrance in its products, as every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance while most Elemis products contain it.

Elemis or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Elemis and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for oily skin. SK-II may be a preferred choice for this skin type as every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas most Elemis products contain added fragrance.

Elemis or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Elemis and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin based on the products on this page. Elemis is a United Kingdom-based brand founded in 1989, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980.

Elemis or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II has a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Elemis has a High Lovi fit level.

Elemis or SK-II for mature skin?

Both Elemis and SK-II are good options for mature skin, as Lovi rates their routine fit as High for both brands. Elemis features hydrating moisturizers that help improve skin texture, while SK-II relies on its signature Pitera to support radiance.

Elemis or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

Both Elemis and SK-II offer a High routine fit for skin with dark spots, though Elemis lists this as a core brand-focused routine area. SK-II rates better for radiance and glow among reviewers on this page.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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