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Medik8 vs Anessa

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

Medik8 and Anessa are distinct skincare houses offering targeted daily care, with the British brand founded in 2009 focusing on serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, while the Japanese counterpart established in 1992 is widely loved for advanced sunscreens and sophisticated formulas. The former brand fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, with specific solutions like Surface Radiance Cleanse for acne-prone skin, Oxy-R Peptides for dark spots, and Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream for mature skin, where hyaluronic acid lengthens toxin wrinkle effect duration. Meanwhile, both brands differ as the latter suits all skin types best with reliable daily protection, featuring standouts like Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk for acne-prone skin and Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Gel for dark spots. These thoughtful formulations work to shield and care for the complexion.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

Anessa is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1992 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

anessaco.comen.wikipedia.orgcorp.shiseido.comhappi.com

This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Anessa products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Anessa products

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Anessa: which is better?

Medik8 stands out for its wide selection of targeted serums and moisturizers, whereas Anessa specializes exclusively in high-performance sunscreens. Key ingredients like hyaluronic acid found across Medik8 products help deliver deep hydration and plump the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medik8 and Anessa?

Medik8 is a UK-based brand known for a wide range of serums, cleansers, and moisturizers featuring hyaluronic acid that fit dry skin best, whereas Anessa is a Japanese sunscreen brand owned by Shiseido. The products on this page by Medik8 are often described as gentle and hydrating, while Anessa focuses on providing high-performing sunscreens for various skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Anessa?

Reviewers often mention a high price point for the products on this page by Medik8, whereas the page facts for Anessa do not note pricing feedback.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Medik8 or Anessa?

Medik8 provides products on this page such as Surface Radiance Cleanse that help with acne-prone skin, while Anessa offers sunscreens like Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk that fit oily acne-prone skin at a High level.

Which brand has been established longer, Medik8 or Anessa?

Anessa has been established longer, having been founded in Japan in 1992, whereas Medik8 was founded in the United Kingdom in 2009.

Do both brands offer products that are free of fragrance?

Yes, both brands offer products that are free of fragrance, as Anessa lists no fragrance in its ingredients and nearly all products on this page from Medik8 are also free of added fragrance.

Which skincare brand offers a broader variety of product types such as serums, cleansers, and moisturizers?

Medik8 offers a broader variety of product types on this page, including serums, cleansers, and moisturizers, whereas Anessa features only sunscreens.

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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