Medicube vs Elemis
Medicube and Elemis are esteemed skincare brands from South Korea and Britain that offer thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, toners, masks, and cleansers for various complexions. The Korean brand utilizes niacinamide, collagen, and hyaluronic acid to suit dry and oily acne-prone skin, whereas the British brand weaves together glycerin and shea to suit dry and mature skin. Furthermore, both differ in their foundational approaches, as the former delivers profound results for targeted concerns through specialized gels, masks, and eye creams, while the latter focuses on deeply restorative qualities through curated preparations like advanced eye treatments, peels, and marine creams.
Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..
medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co
Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.
elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org
This page compares some of the most popular Medicube and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medicube vs Elemis products
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “glass skin — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
- “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
Luxurious Texture and Application Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
- “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
- “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
- “feels amazing and cooling — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
Soothing and Gentle Formulas Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “refreshing sensation — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “calming the skin — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
- “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
Glow and Radiance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
- “instantly fresh glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
Skin Texture and Smoothing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “skin feels smoother — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
- “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
Pores and Cleansing Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Pores drastically reduced — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
- “Mochi-like foam — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
- “Removes every trace of oil — Medicube Red Foam Cleanser”
- “face feels super clean — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
High Price and Value Concerns Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “tube is tiny for the price — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “price is steep — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “price is a bit steep — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
Strong Scent and Fragrance Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “slightly fishy smell — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “smells like old lady perfume — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
- “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
Packaging and Quality Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “messy — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “lifted around the nose/eyes — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
- “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
Medicube vs Elemis routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Zero Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$29.33
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Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning
$18.30
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Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$29.97
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SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
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Serum or Treatment
One Day Exosome Shot 2000
Evening · Once a week
$19.99
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Nourishing Mask
Collagen Night Wrapping Mask
Once a week
$19.00
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Cleanser
Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$57.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
Pro-Collagen Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$153.00
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SPF
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Morning
$150.00
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Pre-Cleanser
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
$75.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator
Evening · Once a week
$84.00
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy Medicube routine · $154.28 · 91% fit
Buy Elemis routine · $557.99 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Medicube vs Elemis routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$14.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
$18.30
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$29.97
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
$18.90
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
$18.90
-
Cleanser
Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$57.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$150.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
$75.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Balancing Lavender Toner
Evening
$44.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Papaya Enzyme Peel
Evening · Once a week
$45.90
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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
Buy Medicube routine · $234.94 · 88% fit
Buy Elemis routine · $535.50 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Medicube vs Elemis routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$14.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
$18.30
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$29.97
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
$18.90
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
$18.90
-
Cleanser
Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$57.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$150.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
$75.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Balancing Lavender Toner
Evening
$44.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Papaya Enzyme Peel
Evening · Once a week
$45.90
-
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 Medicube routine · $234.94 · 88% fit
Buy Elemis routine · $524.50 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Medicube or Elemis: which is better?
Medicube is better for targeting pores and value concerns, while Elemis stands out for its luxurious textures. Both brands offer equally effective routines for dry, oily, and sensitive skin types.
What is the difference between Medicube and Elemis?
Medicube is founded in South Korea and focuses heavily on fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like niacinamide, whereas Elemis is a British luxury brand known for its heavily fragranced products featuring glycerin and shea butter. Both brands offer great options for hydration, but Medicube is often noted for targeting pores and value concerns, while Elemis is praised for its luxurious textures.
Medicube or Elemis for dry skin?
Medicube is a superior fit for dry skin, whereas Elemis has a high fit for this skin type. Medicube features deep hydration moisturizers that help combat dryness effectively.
Medicube or Elemis: which cleanser is better?
Medicube is better for pores and cleansing compared to Elemis. Reviewers on this page note that Medicube excels specifically in pore care and cleansing routines.
Which is more affordable, Medicube or Elemis?
Medicube is more affordable, as high prices are a major concern for Elemis while value issues are associated with Medicube.
Medicube or Elemis: which brand has more fragrance-free products?
Medicube offers more fragrance-free options, as 23 of the 25 products on its page list no fragrance. Elemis has significantly more scented items, with 18 of its 22 products containing fragrance.
How do the origins and ownership of Medicube and Elemis compare?
Medicube was founded in 2016 in South Korea and is owned by APR Corp., whereas Elemis was founded in 1989 in the United Kingdom and is owned by the L'Occitane Group.
Medicube or Elemis: which brand offers better results for mature skin?
Both Medicube and Elemis offer a High routine fit for mature skin. Medicube features key ingredients like niacinamide and retinol, which help reduce pigmentation and support aging skin.
Medicube or Elemis for oily skin?
Both Medicube and Elemis have a High routine fit for oily skin, though Medicube has more fragrance-free options since 23 of its 25 products on this page list no fragrance compared to only 4 of 22 for Elemis.
Medicube or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?
Both Medicube and Elemis offer effective moisturizers, with Medicube standing out for its deep hydration and Elemis praised for its luxurious textures. Medicube moisturizers help improve skin radiance and moisture levels with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, while Elemis products often use nourishing formulas to smooth skin texture.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Medicube or Elemis for sensitive skin?
Both Medicube and Elemis offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Medicube features mostly fragrance-free formulas, while Elemis is often noted for its luxurious textures.
Medicube or Elemis for acne-prone skin?
Both Medicube and Elemis achieve a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin on this page. Reviewers note that Medicube does better for pores and cleansing, while Elemis offers luxurious textures.
Research behind their key ingredients
Bacterial cellulose membranes as drug delivery systems: an in vivo skin compatibility study
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging 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
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Topical beta-carotene protects against infra-red-light-induced free radicals
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
Comparative measurement of hydration effects of herbal moisturizers
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Formulation and evaluation of exotic fat based cosmeceuticals for skin repair
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Composition characterization and clinical efficacy study of a salmon egg extract
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
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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