SK-II and Charlotte Tilbury are established beauty houses offering distinct approaches to daily ritual. SK-II provides nourishing serums , rejuvenating masks, refreshing toners, and moisturizers anchored by pitera, while the British brand focuses primarily on moisturizers and eye products. Both collections suit acne-prone skin and dry skin best, though the Japanese line features targeted essences and lotions for dark spots and mature concerns alongside its signature ingredient. Ultimately, the two brands differ through their heritage and formulations, with the former emphasizing time-tested efficacy for pore area, skin roughness, and redness.
SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.
en.wikipedia.org discoversk-ii.wixsite.com glossy.co
Charlotte Tilbury is a British skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Puig since 2020.
en.wikipedia.org cosmeticsbusiness.com
This page compares some of the most popular SK-II and Charlotte Tilbury products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app .
Popular SK-II vs Charlotte Tilbury products
People Say
SK-II Charlotte Tilbury
+ Balances and hydrates
Mostly Mentioned Mostly Mentioned
“extremely emollient and rich — Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue” “floods skin with moisture — Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream” “super hydrated — Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil” “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
+ Improves texture
Mostly Mentioned Mostly Mentioned
“skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence” “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask” “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion” “rich and nourishing — Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream”
+ Radiance and glow
Mostly Mentioned Mostly Mentioned
“radiant skin filter — Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil” “lit-from-within glow — Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream” “under eyes look brighter — Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue” “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
+ Makeup base
Not noted Mostly Mentioned
“perfect canvas for base — Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream” “foundation looks flawless — Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil”
+ Anti-aging and tone
Often Mentioned Not 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”
+ Pleasant scent
Rarely Noted Often Mentioned
“smells like spa — Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil” “Subtle rose fragrance, spa-like scent, not overpowering. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
– High price
Mostly Mentioned Mostly Mentioned
“extremely overpriced — Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream” “not worth the splurge — Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue” “very expensive — Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil” “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
– Breakouts and purging
Often Mentioned Mostly 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” “grandma perfume smell — Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream”
– Lack of results
Often Mentioned Rarely Noted
“did nothing — Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil” “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
Questions and answers
SK-II or Charlotte Tilbury: which is better?
Charlotte Tilbury does better at balancing and hydrating, while SK-II does better at improving texture and anti-aging and tone. Reviewers mostly mention Charlotte Tilbury for hydrating moisturizers and a high price point.
What is the difference between SK-II and Charlotte Tilbury?
Charlotte Tilbury does better at balancing and hydration, radiance and glow, and acting as a makeup base, while SK-II is better at improving texture and providing anti-aging and tone benefits. The products on this page for both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients.
SK-II or Charlotte Tilbury: which moisturizer is better?
Charlotte Tilbury features a moisturizer with a Superior fit for mature skin, while SK-II offers options like Skinpower Advanced Cream and Facial Treatment Essence that have a High fit for dry and mature skin.
Which is more affordable, SK-II or Charlotte Tilbury?
Charlotte Tilbury is noted for its high price point among reviewers, while SK-II does not have this specific price feedback on the page.
Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or Charlotte Tilbury?
Charlotte Tilbury may cause fewer breakouts than SK-II, as review themes note that breakouts and purging are a negative point for SK-II.
Which brand performs better for anti-aging and tone, SK-II or Charlotte Tilbury?
SK-II performs better for anti-aging and tone. Review themes show that SK-II does better for anti-aging and tone compared to Charlotte Tilbury.
Which brand is better for improving skin texture, SK-II or Charlotte Tilbury?
SK-II is better for improving skin texture. Review themes on this page show that SK-II does better for improving texture, whereas Charlotte Tilbury is noted for a high price.
Which brand offers better results for radiance and glow, SK-II or Charlotte Tilbury?
Charlotte Tilbury does better for radiance and glow. Reviewers mostly mention its hydrating moisturizers, while Lovi gives Charlotte's Magic Cream a High fit level for dry skin and skin with dark spots.
3 more questions
Research behind their key ingredients
41 more studies
Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)
Retinol · Archives of Dermatology, 2007 Anti-aging and brightening effects of a topical treatment containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract: A split-face, randomized controlled trial
Ascorbic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020 Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Retinol · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017 Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, Ascorbyl glucoside · Journal of Periodontology, 2009 Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing
Retinol · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019 Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Squalane · Scientific Reports, 2020 Effect of a topical antioxidant serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid after Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for treatment of environment-induced skin pigmentation
Ascorbic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020 The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study
Glycerin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017 Randomized controlled study for the anti-aging effect of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide after laser therapy
Niacinamide · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021 A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Study of the Efficacy of Moisturizer Containing Licochalcone A, Decanediol, L-Carnitine, and Salicylic Acid for Prevention of Acne Relapse in Asian Population
Salicylic acid · BioMed Research International, 2020 A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: Results from two randomized controlled studies assessing its skin moisturization and barrier restoration potential, and the effect on skin microflora
Panthenol, D-pantothenyl alcohol · The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017 Senomorphic activity of a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: correlation with clinical improvement of skin aging
Niacinamide · Scientific Reports, 2024 Efficacy of a topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol for pain and inflammation control after third molar surgery: A randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial
D-pantothenyl alcohol · Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020 Daily Fluctuation of Facial Pore Area, Roughness and Redness among Young Japanese Women; Beneficial Effects of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Containing Antioxidative Skin Care Formula
Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera essence, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate, Sk-ii pitera concentrate, Pitera · Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021 Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized study
Salicylic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024 Polyglycerol Ester-Based Low Energy Nanoemulsions with Red Raspberry Seed Oil and Fruit Extracts: Formulation Development toward Effective In Vitro/In Vivo Bioperformance
Raspberry seed oil · Nanomaterials, 2021 Evaluation of dermal extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction modifications using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric imaging, in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy, echography, and histology: effect of age and peptide applications
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015 Preparation and evaluation of anti-wrinkle cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil
Avocado oil · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020 A Salicylic Acid-Based Dermocosmetic is Effective as an Adjunct to Benzoyl Peroxide for Mild to Moderate Acne and as Monotherapy in Maintenance Post Benzoyl Peroxide
Salicylic acid · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023 Topical application of superoxide dismutase mediated by HIV-TAT peptide attenuates UVB-induced damages in human skin
Superoxide dismutase · European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2016 Stretchable skin hydrating PVB patches with controlled pores' size and shape for deliberate evening primrose oil spreading, transport and release
Oenothera biennis oil · Biomaterials Advances, 2022 Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-undecyl-10-enoyl-L-phenylalanine and its combination with niacinamide
Undecylenoyl phenylalanine · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2009 Inhibitory effects of shell of Camellia oleifera Abel extract on mushroom tyrosinase and human skin melanin
Butylene glycol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019 A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of a preparation containing undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2% in the treatment of solar lentigines
Undecylenoyl phenylalanine · Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2010 Squalane as a Promising Agent Protecting UV-Induced Inhibition of Collagen Biosynthesis and Wound Healing in Human Dermal Fibroblast
Squalane · Molecules, 2025 Melanogenesis effects of rice protein hydrolysate and its characteristic peptides Leu-Leu-Lys, Leu-Pro-Lys, and pyroGlu-Lys on UVB-induced human epidermal melanocyte cells
Hydrolyzed rice protein · Food & Function, 2020 Influence of vitamin E acetate on stratum corneum hydration
Tocopheryl acetate · Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998 Enhanced Fluctuations in Facial Pore Size, Redness, and TEWL Caused by Mask Usage Are Normalized by the Application of a Moisturizer
Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera essence, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate, Sk-ii pitera concentrate, Pitera · Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022 Three clinical studies showing the anti-aging benefits of sodium salicylate in human skin
Sodium salicylate · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010 Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
Panthenol, D-pantothenyl alcohol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025 Glycerol crosslinked vitamin E loaded xanthan gum and gellan gum nanoemulgels for topical management of dry skin
Xanthan gum · International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025 A Double-Blind, 12-Week Study to Evaluate the Antiaging Efficacy of a Cream Containing the NFκB Inhibitor 4-Hexyl-1, 3-Phenylenediol and Ascorbic Acid-2 Glucoside in Adult Females
L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, Ascorbyl glucoside · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016 Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Based Gel Containing α-Tocopherol and α-Tocopheryl Acetate for Synergistic Cutaneous Antiaging Efficacy
Tocopheryl acetate · Scientific Reports, 2025 Significant Reversal of Facial Wrinkle, Pigmented Spot and Roughness by Daily Application of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate-Containing Skin Products for 12 Months-An 11-Year Longitudinal Skin Aging Rejuvenation Study
Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera essence, Pitera ferment filtrate galactomyces ferment filtrate, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera · Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023 Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, Ascorbyl glucoside · International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024 Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
Camellia oleifera seed oil · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026 The Effectiveness of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Dexpanthenol, and Centella Asiatica Combination Serum in the Treatment of Post-Acne Hyperpigmentation in Subjects with Skin of Color
Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Sk-ii pitera concentrate, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate · Skinmed, 2021 Clinical Efficacy of Topical Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside in Enhancing Outcomes of Laser Gingival Depigmentation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Ascorbyl glucoside · Cureus, 2026 Efficacy and safety of combination cream of stimu-tex AS™ (spent grain wax, Argania Spinosa Kernel oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (shea butter) extract), and saccharide isomerate after fractional CO2 laser procedure: split-face, double blinded, randomized controlled trial
Shea butter, African shea butter · Lasers in Medical Science, 2025 Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026 A novel facial moisturizer containing Saccharide isomerate accelerates skin barrier restoration following intense pulsed light treatment: a randomized split-face study
Saccharide isomerate · The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025
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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
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
Aishani Shah, MD
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
Asya Zubkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
Hanna Kurets, MD
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist