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Clinique vs SK-II

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

Clinique and SK-II are established skincare names, with the American brand founded in 1968 and the Japanese counterpart founded in 1980. Both offer thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, nourishing serums, and more, while Clinique relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine, and SK-II is anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera. Their products suit sensitive skin, dry skin, and acne-prone skin best with gentle, time-tested efficacy. They differ largely in their heritage and key compounds, allowing each to address concerns like dark spots, acne, and mature skin through distinct formulations.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs SK-II products

People Say

CliniqueSK-II
  • 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”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Gentle for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “doesn't dry out — Clinique all about clean”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Smoother Skin and Texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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 silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Radiance and Glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
  • Makeup Base Compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “quite pricey — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lack of Results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Clinique vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · A$1,400.12 · 90% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$365.39 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · A$1,436.99 · 89% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$490.43 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · A$1,429.91 · 88% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$469.78 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but SK-II has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and dry skin, while Clinique is often noted for being gentle for sensitive skin and having a High fit for sensitive and dry sensitive skin. Reviewers indicate that SK-II tends to do better for hydration, plumping, smoother skin texture, and radiance, whereas Clinique is frequently mentioned for its hydrating, lightweight moisturizers and makeup base compatibility.

What is the difference between Clinique and SK-II?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin, whereas SK-II offers superior results for acne-prone skin and mature skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page from Clinique help provide gentle cleansing and good makeup bases, while SK-II performs better for hydration and plumping.

Clinique or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands work well, but Lovi rates SK-II as Superior and Clinique as High. SK-II features key ingredients like Pitera and provides strong hydration and plumping for this skin type.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, SK-II tends to be a better fit than Clinique, as Lovi rates SK-II as having superior routine fit for dry skin and high routine fit for mature skin. Both brands offer fragrance-free options on the products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Clinique or SK-II?

Clinique has a lower price point than SK-II, as high price is often noted by reviewers for Clinique, whereas SK-II products on this page are generally positioned at a higher luxury tier.

Which brand has fragrance-free products, Clinique or SK-II?

Both brands offer fragrance-free options, as every product on this page for both Clinique and SK-II lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Clinique or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Clinique and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin, offering effective daily care for this skin type.

Clinique or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin, but the products on this page help different needs. Clinique is often noted as gentle for sensitive skin, while SK-II leans toward hydration and plumping.

Clinique or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

SK-II is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to Clinique's Average fit level.

Clinique or SK-II for mature skin?

For mature skin, SK-II helps provide a High Lovi fit while Clinique offers an Average fit. SK-II also does better for hydration and plumping, radiance and glow, and smoother skin and texture.

Clinique or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, SK-II tends to perform better overall, with Lovi rating its routine fit as High compared to Clinique's Average level. Both brands offer fragrance-free options on this page, but reviewers highlight SK-II for providing superior hydration and radiance.

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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