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Elemis vs SK-II

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

Elemis and SK-II are established skincare labels rooted in British and Japanese heritage, respectively. Elemis is celebrated for nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refreshing toners anchored by hydrating glycerin and softening shea, suiting mature and dry skin best. Meanwhile, the second brand offers luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing masks, and refreshing toners anchored by pitera, favoring dry and combination skin. While both share a devotion to refined daily care, they differ distinctly in their heritage, signature actives, and targeted formulations.

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Elemis vs SK-II products

People Say

ElemisSK-II
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Radiance and Glow Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Skin Smoothing and Exfoliation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Prep Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Scent and Fragrance Experience Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “Subtle rose fragrance, spa-like scent, not overpowering. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “expensive — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Underwhelming or Slow Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “didn't see difference — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Verdict still out. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and Skin Reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”

Elemis vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$783.50 · 93% fitBuy Elemis routine · CA$278.47 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Elemis vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,101.33 · 91% fitBuy Elemis routine · CA$411.49 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Elemis vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,065.33 · 93% fitBuy Elemis routine · CA$369.58 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Elemis or SK-II: which is better?

SK-II has a Superior routine fit for dry, combination, acne-prone, and dry sensitive skin on this page, while Elemis has a Superior fit for mature skin. Reviewers find that SK-II delivers better radiance and glow, whereas Elemis has a higher price point and strong fragrance in many of its products.

What is the difference between Elemis and SK-II?

Elemis and SK-II are both prestige skincare brands, with Elemis founded in the UK in 1989 and SK-II founded in Japan in 1980. The products on this page show that Elemis focuses on botanical ingredients like shea butter and glycerin with various fragranced options, whereas SK-II centers its line around Pitera with fragrance-free formulations.

Elemis or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands work well, with Lovi giving Elemis a High fit and SK-II a Superior fit. Reviewers note that the products on this page for both brands provide equal hydration and moisture, though SK-II lists no fragrance across its range while most Elemis products contain fragrance.

Elemis or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Elemis and SK-II offer highly rated moisturizers, such as the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, but they cater to different preferences. Elemis moisturizers are known for their luxurious textures and hydrating formulas, while SK-II focuses on fragrance-free options featuring Pitera. Reviewers note that Elemis has a higher price point and strong fragrance, whereas SK-II achieves better radiance and glow.

Which is more affordable, Elemis or SK-II?

Reviewers note that Elemis has a high price point.

Between Elemis and SK-II, which brand is better for mature skin?

Elemis is better for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to SK-II's High fit on this page.

Do Elemis products contain fragrance while SK-II products are fragrance-free?

Most Elemis products on this page list fragrance in their ingredients, whereas every SK-II product on this page is fragrance-free.

Which brand has a better routine fit for combination skin?

SK-II has a better routine fit for combination skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis, which reaches a High routine fit.

Elemis or SK-II for oily skin?

SK-II is better for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior while Elemis is rated Average.

Elemis or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Elemis and SK-II are good options for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High for this skin type. Reviewers note that Elemis has a strong fragrance in some products on this page, whereas every product from SK-II lists no fragrance.

Elemis or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

SK-II is better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for Elemis. Reviewers note that SK-II delivers better results for radiance and glow, and every product on the page lists no fragrance.

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

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