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Medik8 vs Galderma

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

Medik8 and Galderma are skincare brands with distinct formulations designed for different skin needs. The British brand features serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, while the Swiss brand focuses exclusively on serums. Both brands suit particular complexions, with the former fitting dry and dry sensitive skin best, and the latter fitting oily and combination skin best. They differ primarily in their product ranges and target concerns, offering specialized options like Surface Radiance Cleanse, Oxy-R Peptides, and Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream from the first, alongside Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC treatments from the second.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

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 Medik8 and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Galderma products

People Say

Medik8Galderma
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Acne Clearing and Prevention Rarely 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”
    • “cleared my hormonal acne — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • Gentleness and Non-Irritation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “Plumps skin with moisture — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedNot noted
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “immediate glow — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • Dryness and Peeling Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “slightly drying — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “need a thick moisturizer — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “Made my face very dry and tight — Medik8 Press & Glow”
    • “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Severe Irritation and Burning Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Color Transfer and Fabric Bleaching Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “stained my white pillowcase — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • High Price Point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Initial Purging Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”

Medik8 vs Galderma routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · CA$134.16 · 97% fitBuy Galderma routine · CA$341.56 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Medik8 vs Galderma routines for oily skin

Buy Galderma routine · CA$347.28 · 94% fitBuy Medik8 routine · CA$386.00 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Medik8 vs Galderma routines for combination skin

Buy Galderma routine · CA$314.37 · 94% fitBuy Medik8 routine · CA$350.00 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Galderma: which is better?

Medik8 is better for gentle hydration, anti-aging, and improving skin texture, while Galderma is more effective for acne-clearing and prevention. The products on this page help deliver key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which studies show benefits skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between Medik8 and Galderma?

Medik8 stands out for gentle hydration and anti-aging care with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while Galderma focuses on effective acne-clearing treatments.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or Galderma for dry skin?

For dry skin, Medik8 fits better than Galderma, earning a Superior routine fit compared to Galderma's High fit level. The products on this page help provide deep hydration and plumping with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Galderma?

Galderma is more affordable, whereas reviewers often mention that Medik8 has a high price point.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Medik8 or Galderma?

Galderma has more fragrance-free products on this page, as every single one of its products lists no fragrance in its ingredients, compared to Medik8 where 11 out of 12 products are fragrance-free.

Which brand is better for texture and absorption, Medik8 or Galderma?

Medik8 is better for texture and absorption, as reviewers frequently note its luxurious and fast-absorbing formulas. The products on this page help improve skin texture without causing the severe dryness and peeling often reported with Galderma.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Medik8 and Galderma?

Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom, whereas Galderma was founded earlier in 1981 in Switzerland.

Medik8 or Galderma for oily skin?

For oily skin, Galderma achieves a Superior Lovi fit level with effective acne-clearing serums, whereas the products on this page for Medik8 reach a High fit level. Galderma is often better suited for oily skin types focused on treating breakouts, though it may cause dryness and peeling.

Medik8 or Galderma for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is the better choice for sensitive skin, achieving a Lovi fit level of Superior compared to Galderma's High. The products on this page are generally known for being gentle and non-irritating, whereas reviewers note that Galderma can cause severe dryness and discomfort.

Medik8 or Galderma for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Galderma has a Superior Lovi fit level and is better for acne clearing and prevention. Medik8 has a High Lovi fit level, but offers more gentle and non-irritating formulas.

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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