🇺🇸United States

Good Molecules vs SK-II

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

Good Molecules and SK-II are skincare brands founded in the United States and Japan, respectively. The American line is widely loved for its serums, moisturizers, eye products, and exfoliants featuring glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while the Japanese line is cherished for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the former also suits dry sensitive skin with its moisture-binding formulas, and the latter suits acne-prone skin thanks to formulations designed to address imbalances. They differ in their standout options and targeted benefits, as the former utilizes glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function and hyaluronic acid to lengthen the effect of wrinkle-reducing toxins, whereas regular application of the signature ingredient in the latter actively improves pore area, roughness, and redness.

Good Molecules is an American skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc..

beautymatter.comgoodmolecules.compitchbook.compreqin.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 Good Molecules and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Good Molecules vs SK-II products

People Say

Good MoleculesSK-II
  • Texture and Consistency Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “practically invisible on skin — Good Molecules PIMPLE PATCHES”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Advanced Performance and Extras Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “scar on your chin doesn't look nearly as noticeable — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Value and Pricing Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “best value for money — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “only $8 — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “great value — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
  • Brightening and Radiance 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”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner”
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly 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 appears smooth and supple — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Care Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “Non-abrasive, suitable for sensitive skin, no stinging — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
    • “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying — Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • High Price and Cost Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow or Ineffective Results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't really see a difference — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “dried my skin out — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Scent and Fragrance Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Strong bergamot smell — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “weird faint smell — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “smelled of glycolic acid — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy Good Molecules routine · $112.61 · 95% fitBuy SK-II routine · $591.97 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy Good Molecules routine · $234.94 · 93% fitBuy SK-II routine · $713.54 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Good Molecules routine · $226.53 · 92% fitBuy SK-II routine · $714.65 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Good Molecules or SK-II: which is better?

Good Molecules and SK-II are both great choices, with Good Molecules offering better value and gentle care while SK-II leads in brightening, hydration, and advanced performance based on the products on this page.

What is the difference between Good Molecules and SK-II?

Good Molecules offers affordable and gentle skincare products with high value, whereas SK-II excels in advanced performance, brightening, and hydration.

Good Molecules or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Good Molecules and SK-II achieve a Superior Lovi routine fit for dry skin. Good Molecules offers high value and gentle care, while SK-II delivers strong hydration and plumping benefits.

Good Molecules or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Good Molecules and SK-II both feature highly rated moisturizers on the products on this page, with Good Molecules relying on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and SK-II centering on Pitera. Good Molecules is often noted by reviewers for being affordable and hydrating, while SK-II does better for hydration and plumping.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Good Molecules or SK-II?

Good Molecules is more affordable, offering budget-friendly serums and moisturizers with great value.

Which brand performs better for brightening and radiance according to review themes?

SK-II performs better for brightening and radiance according to the review themes.

What are the founding years and countries of origin for Good Molecules and SK-II?

Good Molecules was founded in 2019 in the United States, while SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan.

Which brand offers better value and pricing based on reviewer feedback?

Good Molecules offers better value and pricing based on reviewer feedback.

Good Molecules or SK-II for oily skin?

Good Molecules is a better fit for oily skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to SK-II which has a High fit. Reviewers often mention that Good Molecules provides affordable and great value serums that help fade dark spots.

Good Molecules or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Good Molecules is rated as Superior for sensitive skin, whereas SK-II reaches a High fit level. Reviewers note that Good Molecules is better for gentle and sensitive care, while every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Good Molecules or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Good Molecules and SK-II achieve a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on Lovi. Good Molecules features key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid across its fragrance-free range, while SK-II relies on its signature Pitera.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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