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SK-II vs Galderma

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

SK-II and Galderma are skincare brands founded in Japan and Switzerland respectively. The Japanese brand is known for moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, and balancing toners featuring pitera, while the Swiss brand focuses on serums. Both brands suit acne-prone skin and dry sensitive skin best, with the first brand relying on pitera to improve pore area, roughness, and redness, and the second brand offering specialized gel treatments.

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

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

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

Popular SK-II vs Galderma products

People Say

SK-IIGalderma
  • Clears acne and prevents breakouts Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Improves texture and smoothness Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Lightweight and absorbent Often MentionedNot noted
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Anti-aging and brightening Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Intense burning and severe dryness Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • High price Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and skin purging Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Redness, irritation, and stinging Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “red as tomato — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Bleaches fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Lack of results or underwhelming effect Often MentionedNot noted
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Questions and answers

SK-II or Galderma: which is better?

Galderma is better for clearing acne and preventing breakouts with its acne-clearing serums, whereas SK-II does better for deep hydration, improving texture, and radiance. Reviewers often mention Galderma for effective acne-clearing serums, though it can cause severe dryness and peeling.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021

What is the difference between SK-II and Galderma?

Galderma is better at clearing acne and preventing breakouts with effective serums, though it may cause severe dryness and peeling. SK-II does better at improving texture, providing deep hydration, and adding radiance and glow with its fragrance-free products.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Galderma?

Galderma is more affordable, whereas SK-II has a high price according to the review themes on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or Galderma?

Galderma is better at clearing acne and preventing breakouts, whereas reviewers note that SK-II may cause breakouts and skin purging. Galderma also features effective acne-clearing serums on the page.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021

Which brand is better for deep hydration and moisture, SK-II or Galderma?

SK-II is better for deep hydration and moisture. Reviewers note that SK-II does better with deep hydration and moisture.

Do any products from SK-II or Galderma contain fragrance?

Every product from both SK-II and Galderma on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand is better known for clearing acne and preventing breakouts?

Galderma does better for clearing acne and prevents breakouts. Its serums like Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC 5 get high Lovi fit levels for acne-prone skin.

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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