SK-II skincare
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
Skincare enthusiasts deeply adore SK-II for its thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, nourishing serums, rejuvenating masks, refreshing toners, and more, all anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera. Its products suit acne-prone skin and dry skin best, gently nurturing delicate complexions with time-tested efficacy. For targeted concerns, the brand offers standout solutions such as the Genoptics Ultraura Essence for acne-prone skin, the Facial Treatment Essence for skin with dark spots, and the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion for mature skin. Through regular application, its key ingredients actively improve pore area, skin roughness, and redness, revealing a balanced and serene appearance.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021
Pitera
This page covers some of the most popular SK-II products; for the whole SK-II range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 21.8k+ reviewsReviewers most often praise SK-II for hydrating formulas, radiant glow, and improved skin texture. The most common complaints are high prices and skin irritation or breakouts.
Sources: lovi.care, sk-ii.com, influenster.com, macys.com, bloomingdales.com, sephora.sg, and more
Questions and answers
Is SK-II good for oily skin?
Yes, SK-II is good for oily skin, with Lovi rating the SK-II-focused routine High for oily skin. The SK-II products on this page are fragrance-free and feature Pitera, which helps balance and care for oily skin.
Is SK-II worth it?
SK-II is worth considering for dry and acne-prone skin, where Lovi rates the brand routines as Superior. The SK-II products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, and Pitera helps keep skin looking smooth and clear.
What are SK-II's best products?
SK-II's best products are Genoptics Ultraura Essence and Facial Treatment Essence, as both rate High or better across nearly all skin types. Lovi rates the SK-II-focused routine Superior for dry and acne-prone skin.
Which SK-II moisturizer is best for dry skin?
Facial Treatment Essence is the best SK-II moisturizer for dry skin, and Skinpower Advanced Cream is another strong option for it. Lovi rates both products High for dry skin.
Does SK-II cause breakouts?
SK-II is unlikely to cause breakouts, as the SK-II products on this page list no fragrance and Lovi rates acne-prone skin High to Superior for several items such as Genoptics Ultraura Essence and Facial Treatment Essence. Pitera helps keep skin smooth and balanced, and the brand-focused routine for acne-prone skin achieves a Superior fit on Lovi.
Is SK-II fragrance-free?
Yes, every product from the SK-II products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
What are the key ingredients in SK-II products?
The key ingredient across the SK-II products on this page is Pitera. Pitera helps maintain skin health and supports a smooth texture.
How do I build a SK-II skincare routine?
To build an SK-II skincare routine for dry skin, apply Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil, a gentle cleanser, Calming Deep Moisture Toner, and Facial Treatment Essence in the morning, followed by Genoptics Ultraura Essence and Facial Treatment Essence in the evening. Lovi rates the SK-II-focused routine for dry skin as Superior.
Where can I buy SK-II, and how much does it cost?
SK-II is available for purchase at stores in Australia. Prices for the SK-II products on this page range from A$105.00 to A$667.47, with most costing between A$159.00 and A$416.95.
What are good alternatives to SK-II?
Good alternatives to SK-II with pages on Lovi include Biore, Hada Labo, Shiseido, Shiseido Senka, DHC, and Pair. Lovi rates the Biore-focused routines as Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin.
SK-II vs Biore: which is better?
Neither brand is universally better, as the choice depends entirely on individual skin needs. Lovi rates the SK-II routine Superior for dry skin and acne-prone skin, while Biore routines rate slightly higher for sensitive and combination skin.
Who owns SK-II, and where is it from?
SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980, owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.
Is SK-II cruelty-free?
PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list SK-II as cruelty-free.
Is SK-II good for dry skin?
Yes, SK-II is good for dry skin, and Lovi rates the SK-II-focused routine Superior for dry skin. The SK-II products on this page help keep dry skin soft and smooth with Pitera.
Is SK-II good for sensitive skin?
Yes, SK-II is good for sensitive skin, with Lovi rating the SK-II-focused routine High for sensitive skin. The SK-II products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, which helps avoid irritation. Pitera helps maintain skin health.
Is SK-II good for acne-prone skin?
Yes, SK-II is well suited for acne-prone skin, and Lovi rates the SK-II routine Superior for this skin type. The Genoptics Ultraura Essence earns a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, and the SK-II products on this page list no fragrance.
Is SK-II good for skin with dark spots?
Yes, SK-II helps with skin with dark spots, and Lovi rates Genoptics Ultraura Essence High for this concern. The SK-II products on this page list Pitera as a key ingredient, and every product lists no fragrance.
Is SK-II good for mature skin?
Yes, SK-II is good for mature skin, and Lovi rates the SK-II-focused routine Superior for dry skin types and High for other skin types. The SK-II products on this page help keep skin soft and smooth with Pitera.
Research behind SK-II's key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Behind these ratings
Lovi rates every product from its 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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