celimax vs SK-II
celimax and SK-II are established skincare brands offering targeted serums, moisturizers, toners, and masks. The Korean brand, founded in 2019, features carefully selected ingredients that suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best with gentle compositions. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand, founded in 1980, is known worldwide for luxury formulations anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera, which suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. While both lines provide reliable results for daily routines through standout options addressing dark spots and mature skin, they differ in their foundational ingredients and regional origins.
celimax is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by ABSORBLAB Co., Ltd..
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 celimax and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular celimax vs SK-II products
People Say
Hydration & 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”
- “gives a very beautiful glow to your skin — celimax Noni Ampoule”
Lightweight Texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “silky texture that absorbs quickly — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
- “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
- “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
- “absorbs incredibly fast — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum”
Skin Texture & Smoothing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
- “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
- “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
- “glass-like smoothness — celimax RETINAL SHOT”
Deep Hydration Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
- “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
- “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
- “Skin stays soft throughout the day — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
Gentle & Non-Irritating Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “cleans deeply without stripping — celimax Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser”
- “Doesn't irritate — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
- “zero irritation or sensitivity — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum”
- “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
Soothing & Calming Often MentionedNot noted
- “calms my face redness upon application — celimax Noni Ampoule”
- “Calms irritation — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
- “No stinging on my hypersensitive skin — celimax Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream”
Price vs. Value Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Expensive for only 150ml — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
- “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
Lack of Results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “results take time — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum”
- “didn't see major changes — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Pad”
- “didn't notice a difference — celimax Noni Ampoule”
- “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
Unpleasant Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “smell is herbaceous... giving me a headache — celimax Noni Ampoule”
- “Faint rubber scent — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
- “medicinal smell — celimax Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad”
- “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
celimax 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
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Moisturizer
Facial Treatment Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$99.00
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SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
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Pre-Cleanser
Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$75.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Genoptics Ultraura Essence
Evening · Once a week
$265.00
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Nourishing Mask
Facial Treatment Mask
Once a week
$100.00
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Cleanser
Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Dual Barrier Creamy Toner
Morning
$22.29
-
Moisturizer
Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$20.16
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$15.22
-
Serum or Treatment
Noni Ampoule
Evening · Once a week
$23.18
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy SK-II routine · $591.97 · 91% fit
Buy celimax routine · $138.34 · 73% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
celimax 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
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
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
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Cleanser
Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Dual Barrier Creamy Toner
Morning · Once a week
$22.29
-
Moisturizer
Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$20.16
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$15.22
-
Cleansing Toner
Ji.Woo.Gae Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad
Evening
$21.03
-
Serum or Treatment
Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad
Evening · Once a week
$17.25
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy SK-II routine · $713.54 · 89% fit
Buy celimax routine · $278.42 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
celimax 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
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
-
Cleanser
Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Dual Barrier Creamy Toner
Morning · Once a week
$22.29
-
Moisturizer
Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$20.16
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$15.22
-
Cleansing Toner
Ji.Woo.Gae Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad
Evening
$21.03
-
Serum or Treatment
Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad
Evening · Once a week
$17.25
-
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 SK-II routine · $714.65 · 89% fit
Buy celimax routine · $257.42 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
celimax or SK-II: which is better?
Both celimax and SK-II are strong options depending on your specific skin needs and preferences. SK-II generally provides superior hydration, glow, and smoothing results, whereas celimax is often noted for being gentle and soothing on the skin.
What is the difference between celimax and SK-II?
When comparing the products on this page, SK-II tends to do better for hydration, glow, and smoothing skin texture, while celimax is noted for being gentle and soothing. For specific routine needs like dry skin, SK-II has a Superior routine fit, whereas celimax has an Average routine fit.
celimax or SK-II for dry skin?
For dry skin, Lovi rates SK-II as a Superior routine fit, while celimax is rated Average. The products on this page for both brands contain no fragrance in their ingredients.
celimax or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers, SK-II does better for hydration and glow, while celimax excels at being gentle, non-irritating, soothing, and calming. For dry skin specifically, Lovi rates SK-II as Superior and celimax as Average.
Which is more affordable, celimax or SK-II?
celimax is more affordable than SK-II, as price versus value is noted as a drawback for celimax on this page while SK-II is positioned as a higher-end luxury brand.
Between celimax and SK-II, which brand performs better for mature skin?
Between celimax and SK-II, both brands perform well for mature skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for this skin type as High for both. Reviewers note that celimax offers soothing and calming moisturizers along with skin barrier restoration.
How do celimax and SK-II compare regarding hydration and glow according to reviewers?
According to reviewers, SK-II does better than celimax regarding hydration and glow. Reviewers note that SK-II provides superior hydration and glow, as well as lightweight texture and deep hydration, while celimax is recognized more for being gentle, non-irritating, and soothing.
Which brand's products are fragrance-free, celimax or SK-II?
Both celimax and SK-II offer products on this page that list no fragrance in their ingredients.
celimax or SK-II for oily skin?
For oily skin, both celimax and SK-II offer a High routine fit on Lovi. Reviewers note that celimax tends to be gentler, while SK-II delivers a lighter texture and better hydration.
celimax or SK-II for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both celimax and SK-II are good options since Lovi rates them both with a High fit level for this skin type. Reviewers note that celimax is particularly known for being gentle and non-irritating as well as soothing and calming.
celimax or SK-II for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, both brands offer good options, but SK-II has a superior routine fit on Lovi. The products on this page for SK-II help target acne-prone skin with a superior Lovi fit level for items like Genoptics Ultraura Essence.
Research behind their key ingredients
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens: focus on their safety and effectiveness
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
Morinda citrifolia Linn. (Rubiaceae) leaf extracts mitigate UVB-induced erythema
Three clinical studies showing the anti-aging benefits of sodium salicylate in human skin
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
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
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