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Medik8 vs Hada Labo

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

Medik8 and Hada Labo are distinct skincare options, with the former being a British brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025, and the latter a Japanese brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The British brand offers serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more built around hyaluronic acid, while the Japanese brand is warmly loved for its targeted toners, gentle makeup removers, and deeply hydrating moisturizers driven by thoughtfully crafted formulas. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the Japanese brand also fits sensitive, oily, and combination skin, and the British brand additionally suits dry sensitive skin. They differ in their core formulations and targeted ranges, with the British brand using hyaluronic acid to lengthen the toxin wrinkle effect duration, whereas the other brand uses carefully balanced components that work harmoniously to support and maintain healthy, comfortable skin.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Hada Labo products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Hada Labo products

People Say

Medik8Hada Labo
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “leaves skin soft and hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Lightweight and elegant texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “Thick serum-like — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • 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”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “smoother skin texture — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
    • “Makes my skin plump and hydrating. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
  • Fades dark spots Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Can feel sticky if over-applied — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • High price point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Slow or patience-requiring results Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “Subtle initial changes — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “takes months to see results — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Hada Labo: which is better?

Medik8 and Hada Labo both offer great options, with Hada Labo standing out for deep hydration while Medik8 excels in brightening and glow. For dry skin, the products on this page show that Hada Labo achieves a Superior fit.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Hada Labo?

Medik8 stands out for brightening and plumping the skin, whereas Hada Labo does better with deep hydration and fading dark spots. Both brands feature gentle, fragrance-free options and use hyaluronic acid across their products on this page.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 stands out for moisturizers like Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream, which Lovi rates as High for mature, dry, and sensitive skin. Hada Labo offers Gokujyun Perfect Gel, which Lovi rates as High for dry and dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is more affordable, whereas reviewers often mention a high price point for the products on this page by Medik8.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Medik8 or Hada Labo?

Both brands offer gentle options, but reviewers mention breakouts and clogged pores more often as a drawback for Hada Labo than for Medik8.

Between Medik8 and Hada Labo, which brand offers better options for sensitive skin without fragrance?

Both brands offer solid, fragrance-free options for sensitive skin, as every Hada Labo product on this page and nearly all Medik8 products omit fragrance. For sensitive skin, Medik8 achieves a High fit level with items like Oxy-R Peptides and Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3, while Hada Labo achieves a High fit level with toners such as Gokujyun Lotion.

Which brand has a superior fit for dry skin according to their product ratings?

Both brands offer products with a superior fit for dry skin on this page. Medik8 achieves a superior fit with Bakuchiol Peptides, Press & Glow, and Hydr8 B5 Intense, while Hada Labo reaches a superior fit with Gokujyun Lotion, Gokujun Premium, and Gokujyun Cleansing Oil.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Medik8 and Hada Labo compare?

Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025, while Hada Labo was founded earlier in 2004 in Japan and is owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

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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