🇨🇦Canada

Medik8 vs SK-II

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

Medik8 and SK-II are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily routines. The British brand, founded in 2009, features serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more built around hyaluronic acid, suiting dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand, founded in 1980, is adored for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing masks, refreshing toners, and more anchored by the signature ingredient pitera, suiting dry skin and combination skin best. They differ primarily in their core formulations, with the former utilizing hyaluronic acid to lengthen toxin wrinkle effect duration, and the latter employing pitera to improve pore area, roughness, and redness.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

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

Popular Medik8 vs SK-II products

People Say

Medik8SK-II
  • Texture and lightweight feel Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Brightening and glowing skin Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentleness and skin sensitivity Mostly MentionedRarely 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”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • High price point and value Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Results timeline and effectiveness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Tackiness, oiliness, and finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · CA$134.16 · 97% fitBuy SK-II routine · CA$783.50 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,101.33 · 91% fitBuy Medik8 routine · CA$386.00 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Medik8 routine · CA$350.00 · 93% fitBuy SK-II routine · CA$1,065.33 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands achieve a Superior fit for dry skin, combination skin, and dry sensitive skin. Medik8 is a better option for sensitive skin, while SK-II is a better option for oily skin and acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between Medik8 and SK-II?

Medik8 and SK-II both feature a strong routine fit for dry skin, though Medik8 relies on key ingredients like hyaluronic acid while SK-II centers on Pitera. Medik8 is known for gentleness and plumping effects, whereas SK-II offers better texture and brightening.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Medik8 and SK-II achieve a Superior fit for dry skin on the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured across Medik8 products, helps provide deep hydration to the skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Medik8 and SK-II offer exceptional moisturizers on this page that provide deep hydration and moisture equally well, though Medik8 also helps with plumping and smoothing effects. Hyaluronic acid helps deliver moisture to the skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or SK-II?

Both Medik8 and SK-II products on this page are noted for a high price point, but Medik8 is specifically cited by reviewers for having a high price point and value issue.

Between Medik8 and SK-II, which brand performs better for mature skin?

Both Medik8 and SK-II achieve a High fit for mature skin on the products on this page, but Medik8 reaches a Superior routine fit level for this skin type. Reviewers note that Medik8 provides a plumping and smoothing effect. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient across Medik8 products, helps provide anti-aging effects.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do Medik8 and SK-II compare regarding fragrance in their products?

Medik8 features fragrance in one product on this page, which is Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream, while all other products on the page list no fragrance. In contrast, every product from SK-II lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand has better review themes for deep hydration and moisture?

Both Medik8 and SK-II provide equal review themes for deep hydration and moisture.

Medik8 or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, SK-II is a better fit because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, compared to High for Medik8. Both brands include products on this page that may help with hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Medik8 fits best with a Superior routine level, while SK-II reaches a High fit. Reviewers note that Medik8 is gentle and non-irritating.

Medik8 or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer solid options for acne-prone skin, but SK-II is rated as having a Superior routine fit compared to Medik8's High fit level. For targeted treatments, the products on this page help manage breakouts and improve skin texture while delivering deep hydration.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play