Good Molecules vs SK-II
Good Molecules and SK-II are contemporary skincare options that cater to different routines and preferences. The American brand is known for thoughtfully formulated serums, moisturizers, eye products, and exfoliants featuring glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while the Japanese brand offers transformative moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, and balancing toners elevated by its signature ingredient, pitera. Both brands suit sensitive and acne-prone skin best, helping to restore balance to the complexion. They differ primarily in their core compositions and origin, as the first brand utilizes glycerin and hyaluronic acid to improve hydration and barrier function, whereas the second brand relies on pitera to measurably improve pore area, roughness, and redness.
Good Molecules is an American skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc..
beautymatter.comgoodmolecules.compitchbook.compreqin.com
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 Good Molecules and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Good Molecules vs SK-II products
People Say
Texture and Consistency Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
- “practically invisible on skin — Good Molecules PIMPLE PATCHES”
- “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
- “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
Advanced Performance and Extras Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
- “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
- “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
- “scar on your chin doesn't look nearly as noticeable — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
Value and Pricing Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “best value for money — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
- “great value — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
Brightening and Radiance 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”
- “skin looks more radiant — Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner”
Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
- “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
- “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
- “skin appears smooth and supple — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
Gentle and Sensitive Care Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
- “Non-abrasive, suitable for sensitive skin, no stinging — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
- “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying — Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel”
- “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
High Price and Cost Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
Slow or Ineffective Results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “didn't really see a difference — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
- “dried my skin out — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
- “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
- “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
Scent and Fragrance Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Strong bergamot smell — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
- “weird faint smell — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
- “smelled of glycolic acid — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
- “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 88.68
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Moisturizer
Lightweight Daily Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 70.98
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SPF
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Morning
AED 69.98
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.29
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Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
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Serum or Treatment
Daily Brightening Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 50.96
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Enzyme Powder
Pineapple Exfoliating Powder
Once a week
AED 92.37
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Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
AED 65.00
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 32.95
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Moisturizer
Facial Treatment Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 374.99
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SPF
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+
Morning
AED 81.00
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Pre-Cleanser
Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 297.91
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Cleansing Toner
Facial Treatment Clear Lotion
Evening
AED 317.77
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Serum or Treatment
Genoptics Ultraura Essence
Evening · Once a week
AED 980.23
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Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
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Nourishing Mask
Facial Treatment Mask
Once a week
AED 337.63
Buy Good Molecules routine · AED 512.25 · 89% fit
Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,470.10 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 88.68
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 49.99
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Moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 38.61
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SPF
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Morning
AED 69.98
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
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Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
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Serum or Treatment
Overnight Exfoliating Treatment
Evening · Once a week
AED 44.50
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Enzyme Powder
Pineapple Exfoliating Powder
Once a week
AED 92.37
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Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 49.95
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Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 49.99
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Moisturizer
Facial Treatment Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 374.99
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SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
AED 92.70
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Pre-Cleanser
Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 297.91
-
Cleansing Toner
Facial Treatment Clear Lotion
Evening
AED 317.77
-
Serum or Treatment
Genoptics Ultraura Essence
Evening · Once a week
AED 980.23
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
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Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
Buy Good Molecules routine · AED 887.58 · 89% fit
Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,468.63 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 88.68
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 145.00
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 38.61
-
SPF
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Morning
AED 69.98
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
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Serum or Treatment
Overnight Exfoliating Treatment
Evening · Once a week
AED 44.50
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Enzyme Powder
Pineapple Exfoliating Powder
Once a week
AED 92.37
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 84.53
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 145.00
-
Moisturizer
Facial Treatment Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 374.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 297.91
-
Cleansing Toner
Facial Treatment Clear Lotion
Evening
AED 317.77
-
Serum or Treatment
Genoptics Ultraura Essence
Evening · Once a week
AED 980.23
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
Buy Good Molecules routine · AED 834.64 · 89% fit
Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,424.45 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Good Molecules or SK-II: which is better?
Good Molecules and SK-II are both great choices, with Good Molecules offering better value and gentle care, while SK-II delivers superior brightening and hydration. For sensitive skin, Lovi rates Good Molecules as Superior and SK-II as High.
What is the difference between Good Molecules and SK-II?
Good Molecules offers better value and gentle sensitive care on the products on this page, while SK-II does better with hydration, plumping, brightening, and advanced performance. Reviewers note that Good Molecules is affordable with great value serums, whereas SK-II focuses on luxury formulations featuring Pitera.
Good Molecules or SK-II for dry skin?
Both Good Molecules and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for dry skin, with Good Molecules offering budget-friendly hydration and SK-II focusing on advanced performance with Pitera. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in the products on this page, helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.
Good Molecules or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer solid moisturizer choices, but SK-II tends to excel in hydration and plumping compared to Good Molecules. For example, SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence helps provide high levels of moisture, while Good Molecules is often praised for offering affordable and hydrating options.
Which is more affordable, Good Molecules or SK-II?
Good Molecules offers better value and pricing compared to SK-II.
Between Good Molecules and SK-II, which brand performs better for brightening and radiance?
SK-II performs better for brightening and radiance compared to Good Molecules. The products on this page help improve skin radiance with key ingredients like Pitera.
Which brand offers better gentle and sensitive care, Good Molecules or SK-II?
Good Molecules offers better gentle and sensitive care compared to SK-II. For sensitive skin specifically, Lovi rates Good Molecules as Superior and SK-II as High.
What are the founding years and parent companies of Good Molecules and SK-II?
Good Molecules was founded in 2019 in the United States and is owned by Beautylish, Inc., while SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.
Good Molecules or SK-II for oily skin?
Both Good Molecules and SK-II are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Good Molecules offers better value and pricing, while SK-II delivers better brightening, radiance, hydration, and plumping.
Good Molecules or SK-II for sensitive skin?
Good Molecules is a better fit for sensitive skin, earning a Superior rating from Lovi compared to SK-II's High rating.
Good Molecules or SK-II for acne-prone skin?
Both Good Molecules and SK-II achieve a Superior fit for acne-prone skin on Lovi. Good Molecules offers affordable and great value serums that reviewers mention as helpful for fading dark spots and improving skin texture, though some users note they may cause breakouts.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Preparation and evaluation of anti-wrinkle cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
Three clinical studies showing the anti-aging benefits of sodium salicylate in human skin
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Hippophae rhamnoides oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion improves barrier function in healthy human subjects
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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