🇦🇺Australia

Cetaphil vs SK-II

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

Cetaphil and SK-II are prominent skincare brands that offer thoughtful ranges of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, sunscreens, masks, and toners. While the American brand relies on glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol to suit combination skin and acne-prone skin best, the Japanese brand anchors its formulas in signature pitera to nurture acne-prone skin and dry skin. Through these distinct compositions, both brands provide proven benefits, as the former increases hydration and decreases hyperpigmentation, while the latter improves pore area, skin roughness, and redness.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs SK-II products

People Say

CetaphilSK-II
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Skin smoothing and softening Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Improves texture and radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Brightening and complexion Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Contains fragrance, methylparaben, and benzyl alcohol. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Caused breakouts, small bumps, redness/irritation, fungal acne trigger. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Face burns — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Chemical or unusual smell Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “has a slight chemical scent — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “Smell is too strong like chemical extract — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
    • “Smells like hospital soap. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · A$1,400.12 · 90% fitBuy Cetaphil routine · A$203.09 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · A$1,436.99 · 89% fitBuy Cetaphil routine · A$431.02 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · A$335.53 · 88% fitBuy SK-II routine · A$1,429.91 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but Cetaphil is often preferred for being gentle on sensitive skin, while SK-II does better for skin smoothing and improving texture. Niacinamide, found in the products on this page, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between Cetaphil and SK-II?

Cetaphil is an American brand founded in 1947 by Galderma Group AG, featuring key ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company, centered around Pitera. Reviewers note that Cetaphil is gentler on sensitive skin, whereas SK-II performs better for skin smoothing, softening, texture, radiance, and brightening.

Cetaphil or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II achieves a Lovi routine fit of Superior, while Cetaphil reaches a High fit level. SK-II does better for skin smoothing and softening, whereas Cetaphil is noted for being gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Cetaphil and SK-II feature moisturizers on this page that help hydrate dry skin, with Cetaphil offering options like the Rich Hydrating Night Cream that fit dry skin at a Superior level and SK-II offering products like the Facial Treatment Essence that fit dry skin at a High level.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or SK-II?

Cetaphil is more affordable, whereas SK-II has a high price point. The products on this page for Cetaphil include budget-friendly options while addressing various skin needs.

Between Cetaphil and SK-II, which brand performs better for mature skin according to the routine fits?

For mature skin, both Cetaphil and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level on this page. Reviewers note that SK-II performs better for skin smoothing and softening, while Cetaphil is noted for having a higher price point.

How do the fragrance inclusions compare between Cetaphil and SK-II products on the page?

Cetaphil and SK-II products on the page differ in their fragrance inclusions, as every SK-II product lists no fragrance, while Cetaphil features fragrance in only one item.

Which brand does better for skin smoothing and softening in review themes?

SK-II does better for skin smoothing and softening in review themes. The products on this page help improve skin texture and feel.

Cetaphil or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Cetaphil and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level on Lovi. Cetaphil offers dedicated products like the Daily Facial Cleanser which has a Superior fit for oily skin, whereas SK-II features options like the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion.

Cetaphil or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin, but Cetaphil generally does better for being gentle on sensitive skin. The products on this page from Cetaphil feature key ingredients like niacinamide and panthenol, which help soothe the skin and reduce irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Cetaphil and SK-II are well suited for acne-prone skin, with Lovi rating both brands at a High routine fit level for this skin type.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play