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SK-II vs Galderma

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

SK-II and Galderma are esteemed skincare brands founded in Japan and Switzerland, respectively. 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. Meanwhile, Galderma offers specialized serums tailored for specific complexions. The former suits acne-prone skin and dry skin best, while the latter fits oily acne-prone skin and oily skin best, differing in their key active formulations.

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

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

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

Popular SK-II vs Galderma products

People Say

SK-IIGalderma
  • Clears acne and prevents breakouts Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Improves texture and smoothness Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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 smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Lightweight and absorbent Often MentionedNot noted
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Anti-aging and brightening Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Intense burning and severe dryness Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • High price Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and skin purging Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Redness, irritation, and stinging Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “red as tomato — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Bleaches fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Lack of results or underwhelming effect Often MentionedNot noted
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

SK-II vs Galderma routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · A$1,400.12 · 90% fitBuy Galderma routine · A$217.98 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

SK-II vs Galderma routines for oily skin

Buy Galderma routine · A$435.35 · 95% fitBuy SK-II routine · A$1,436.99 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

SK-II vs Galderma routines for combination skin

Buy Galderma routine · A$378.83 · 92% fitBuy SK-II routine · A$1,429.91 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

SK-II or Galderma: which is better?

SK-II helps provide deep hydration and radiance with products like its Facial Treatment Essence, earning a High routine fit for dry skin, while Galderma focuses on acne-clearing serums with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide that may cause severe dryness and peeling. Reviewers frequently mention Galderma for effective acne-clearing serums, though the products on this page list no fragrance.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021

What is the difference between SK-II and Galderma?

SK-II achieves a Superior Lovi routine fit for dry skin, whereas Galderma achieves a Superior Lovi routine fit for oily skin and mature skin. Galderma is mostly mentioned for effective acne-clearing serums, while SK-II helps improve texture, smoothness, and radiance.

SK-II or Galderma for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II has a Superior routine fit while Galderma has a High routine fit on this page. Reviewers report that SK-II is better for deep hydration and moisture.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Galderma?

Galderma is more affordable, as high price is a noted drawback for SK-II while Galderma faces that review theme instead.

Which brand is better for anti-aging and brightening, SK-II or Galderma?

SK-II is better for anti-aging and brightening because the products on this page help improve texture, smoothness, radiance, and glow, whereas Galderma is more focused on clearing acne.

Do SK-II and Galderma products contain fragrance?

Every product on this page from both SK-II and Galderma lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better for deep hydration and moisture?

SK-II performs better for deep hydration and moisture, with Lovi giving its routine a Superior fit for dry skin compared to Galderma's High fit. The products on this page help improve moisture levels without the severe dryness and peeling often mentioned with Galderma.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

SK-II or Galderma for oily skin?

For oily skin, Galderma achieves a Superior routine fit compared to SK-II which reaches a High fit. Galderma is noted for its effective acne-clearing serums, while SK-II helps provide a lightweight and absorbent feel with no fragrance listed across its products on this page.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021

SK-II or Galderma for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, SK-II is a better fit with a High Lovi fit level, whereas Galderma's products on this page have a Caution fit level for sensitive skin. Reviewers of Galderma mention severe irritation, discomfort, and peeling, which may not suit sensitive skin types as well as SK-II's fragrance-free formulas.

SK-II or Galderma for acne-prone skin?

Both brands achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin, with Galderma doing better at clearing acne while SK-II helps improve texture and smoothness. Galderma features effective acne-clearing serums on this page, whereas SK-II relies on Pitera as a key ingredient across the products on this page.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021

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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