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Some By Mi vs Grown Alchemist

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

Some By Mi and Grown Alchemist are two distinct skincare lines known for thoughtful formulations that target varied complexions. The Korean brand features serums, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers built around niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid, while the second label is loved for its cleansers and serums as well as its formulas. Both options suit sensitive, dry, and combination skin, though the first lineup focuses heavily on dark spots and dry sensitive skin using ingredients like niacinamide to decrease hyperpigmentation and salicylic acid to reduce acne lesions and maintain skin clarity.

Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.

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

Popular Some By Mi vs Grown Alchemist products

People Say

Some By MiGrown Alchemist
  • Hydrating and Moisturizing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin version of chugging water — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
    • “doesn't strip at all — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “Lasts 100 hours as claimed — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
  • Gentleness and Sensitivity Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Perfect for sensitive skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “calms my skin down — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
  • Pleasant Scent Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Smells amazing — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “smell is divine — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “smells like fresh lemons — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum”
    • “Very light weight — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
  • Product Texture and Feel Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “silkiest cleanser — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “spreads soft on my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
  • Deep Pore Cleansing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Gets everything nice and clean — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “pores look visibly smaller — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
  • Fragrance Dislikes and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
    • “Smell is too strong — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “Too perfumy notes — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “smells medicinal — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • Packaging Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Hate dipping fingers in a jar — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “bottle is too small — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
    • “tube cracks easily — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • Price Point and Value Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Too expensive for 50ml — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “expensive for what it is — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”

Questions and answers

Some By Mi or Grown Alchemist: which is better?

Some By Mi is better for targeted treatment of skin with dark spots, dry skin, and dry sensitive skin, for which Lovi rates the products on this page as having a High to Superior fit.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Some By Mi and Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist generally does better for hydration, gentleness, and texture, while Some By Mi scores better for price value and avoiding packaging issues.

Some By Mi or Grown Alchemist: which cleanser is better?

For deep pore cleansing, Some By Mi offers products that reviewers often note for deep cleansing, such as the Bye Bye Blackhead Bubble Cleanser which Lovi rates as High for oily skin and acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, Grown Alchemist features cleansers like the Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser, which Lovi rates as High for sensitive skin and dry skin.

Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or Grown Alchemist?

Some By Mi is more affordable than Grown Alchemist, as price point and value are noted as better for Some By Mi.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Some By Mi or Grown Alchemist?

Some By Mi is the better choice for managing breakouts, as the products on this page feature effective acne-clearing treatments and ingredients like salicylic acid. Grown Alchemist does not focus on blemish control in its routines.

Between Some By Mi and Grown Alchemist, which brand is better for hydrating and moisturizing?

Grown Alchemist does better than Some By Mi for hydrating and moisturizing. Reviewers frequently mention Grown Alchemist for its hydrating, gentle, and pleasant cleansers.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Some By Mi and Grown Alchemist compare?

Some By Mi was founded in South Korea in 2016 and has been owned by JKL Partners since 2021, while Grown Alchemist was founded in 2008 and became independently owned in 2024.

Which brand has better product packaging based on reviewer feedback?

Some By Mi is better for packaging based on reviewer feedback, as Grown Alchemist frequently faces packaging issues.

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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