Biore vs SK-II
Biore and SK-II are Japanese skincare brands founded in 1980 that offer distinct daily care through balanced formulas and signature ingredients. The former is globally loved for sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers, while SK-II is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. Biore suits oily skin and combination skin best, whereas the latter suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best. They differ primarily in their ingredient focus and targeted formulations, providing reliable solutions for various complexion needs.
Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.
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 Biore and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Biore vs SK-II products
People Say
Lightweight and watery texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
- “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
Effective debris and deep clean removal Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
Makeup base and removal Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “primer-like — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “Removes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
Radiance and glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
- “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
- “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
Clear complexion and gentle rinse Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “No greasy film, leaves skin fresh, rinses easily. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “Helped clear my blackheads — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “Leaves skin soft, doesn't dry out face. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “Emulsifies well, rinses off completely, leaves no oily residue. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
Hydrating and dewy finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
- “balanced my oily T-zone — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
Exorbitant and high price Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
Strong alcohol or unpleasant scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
- “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
Inconsistent or poor performance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Doesn't get all blackheads — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Doesn't contour to crevices — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
- “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
Skin irritation and redness Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Face burns — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
- “Nose was irritated — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
Biore vs SK-II routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
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Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
Facial Treatment Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$99.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$75.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Genoptics Ultraura Essence
Evening · Once a week
$265.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Facial Treatment Mask
Once a week
$100.00
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$22.00
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy SK-II routine · $591.97 · 91% fit
Buy Biore routine · $141.68 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Biore vs SK-II routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Facial Treatment Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$99.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$75.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Facial Treatment Clear Lotion
Evening
$80.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Genoptics Ultraura Essence
Evening · Once a week
$265.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy Biore routine · $315.98 · 94% fit
Buy SK-II routine · $713.54 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Biore vs SK-II routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
-
Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
Facial Treatment Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$99.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$75.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Facial Treatment Clear Lotion
Evening
$80.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Genoptics Ultraura Essence
Evening · Once a week
$265.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
Buy Biore routine · $307.57 · 94% fit
Buy SK-II routine · $714.65 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Biore or SK-II: which is better?
Both Biore and SK-II are popular Japanese skincare brands founded in 1980, but they excel in different areas depending on your needs. Reviewers note that Biore products on this page do better with effective debris and deep clean removal, makeup base and removal, and clear complexion and gentle rinse. On the other hand, SK-II does better with radiance and glow.
What is the difference between Biore and SK-II?
Biore and SK-II are both Japanese skincare brands founded in 1980, but Biore is owned by Kao Corporation while SK-II is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company. Lovi rates Biore with a Superior routine fit for oily, combination, sensitive, mature, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas SK-II offers a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin.
Biore or SK-II for dry skin?
For dry skin, Lovi rates Biore as High and SK-II as Superior. The products on this page show that SK-II is better suited for achieving a hydrating and dewy finish on dry skin.
Which is more affordable, Biore or SK-II?
Biore is more affordable than SK-II, as SK-II faces a common drawback for having an exorbitant and high price. Lovi ranks both brands as having no fragrance across the products on this page.
Between Biore and SK-II, which brand performs better for mature skin?
For mature skin, Biore is rated as having a Superior routine fit by Lovi, while SK-II achieves a High fit level. Reviewers indicate that the products on this page for Biore offer better results for a clear complexion and gentle rinse.
How do Biore and SK-II compare regarding fragrance in their products?
Both Biore and SK-II offer products on this page that list no fragrance in their ingredients.
Which brand is better suited for treating skin with dark spots, Biore or SK-II?
For treating skin with dark spots, Lovi rates Biore as Superior and SK-II as High. Review themes indicate that SK-II is better for radiance and glow.
Biore or SK-II for oily skin?
For oily skin, Lovi rates Biore as Superior and SK-II as High. Reviewers note that Biore does better for effective debris and deep clean removal.
Biore or SK-II for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, Lovi rates Biore as Superior and SK-II as High. Reviewers note that Biore helps with a clear complexion and gentle rinse.
Biore or SK-II for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, both brands offer products on this page with a Superior fit level according to Lovi. Reviewers note that Biore does better for clear complexion and gentle rinse, while SK-II does better for radiance and glow.
Research behind their key ingredients
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Three clinical studies showing the anti-aging benefits of sodium salicylate in human skin
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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