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Medik8 vs SK-II

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

Medik8 and SK-II are established skincare names, with the British brand founded in 2009 and the Japanese house originating in 1980. Medik8 offers serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, while SK-II features transformative moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, and balancing toners elevated by its signature ingredient, pitera. Both suit dry sensitive skin and acne-prone skin, though the former fits dry skin best through options like the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream, whereas the latter restores balance with formulations such as the Facial Treatment Essence and Genoptics Ultraura Essence. They differ fundamentally in their core philosophies and proprietary actives, as hyaluronic acid lengthens toxin wrinkle effect duration while pitera measurably improves pore area, roughness, and redness.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.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 Medik8 and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs SK-II products

People Say

Medik8SK-II
  • Texture and lightweight feel Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Brightening and glowing skin Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentleness and skin sensitivity Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • High price point and value Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Results timeline and effectiveness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Tackiness, oiliness, and finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · AED 1,017.94 · 95% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,470.10 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy Medik8 routine · AED 1,453.26 · 89% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,468.63 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Medik8 routine · AED 1,409.08 · 92% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,424.45 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands are great, but Medik8 has a Lovi fit level of Superior for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin, while SK-II fits best for acne-prone skin, dry sensitive skin, and oily skin. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured in the products on this page, helps provide deep hydration and anti-aging effects.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between Medik8 and SK-II?

Medik8 stands out for its gentle formulas, plumping effects, and high routine fit for dry and sensitive skin, while SK-II tends to be favored for its lightweight feel, brightening results, and fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page.

Medik8 or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, Medik8 is a better fit with a Superior routine level compared to SK-II which has a High fit. The products on this page for Medik8 feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps provide deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 and SK-II both offer popular moisturizers, with Medik8 featuring options like Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream and SK-II featuring the Facial Treatment Essence and Skinpower Advanced Cream. Lovi rates Medik8 as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin, while SK-II achieves a High fit level for that skin type.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or SK-II?

Both brands feature a high price point, but reviewers note high price and value issues more frequently for Medik8 than for SK-II.

Between Medik8 and SK-II, which brand performs better for mature skin?

Medik8 and SK-II are both a strong match for mature skin, achieving a High fit level across their routines on this page. Medik8 is often noted for delivering a plumping and smoothing effect, while SK-II is recognized for offering a lightweight feel and brightening benefits.

How do the fragrance options differ between Medik8 and SK-II products?

Medik8 features mostly fragrance-free products on the products on this page, with the exception of the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream. In contrast, SK-II includes no fragrance across any of its products on the products on this page.

Which brand has products specifically rated as superior for dry sensitive skin?

Medik8 has products on this page specifically rated as Superior for dry sensitive skin. Its routine fit for dry sensitive skin is rated as Superior, whereas SK-II holds a High fit rating.

Medik8 or SK-II for oily skin?

Medik8 and SK-II both offer high routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide good oil control and lightweight moisture without feeling heavy.

Medik8 or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Medik8 fits better with a Superior routine fit compared to SK-II which has a High routine fit on this page. Reviewers report that Medik8 offers greater gentleness and skin sensitivity.

Medik8 or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both Medik8 and SK-II achieve an equal routine fit according to Lovi. The products on this page help improve skin texture and hydration while remaining gentle.

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

How does it fit your skin?

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