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Medik8 vs Galderma

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

Medik8 and Galderma are two distinct skincare houses offering targeted solutions for diverse complexions. The British brand focuses on serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners powered by hyaluronic acid, while the Swiss brand features specialized serums. Both options suit different complexions, with the former fitting dry and dry sensitive skin best and the latter serving oily and acne-prone skin best.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Galderma products

People Say

Medik8Galderma
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Acne Clearing and Prevention Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “cleared my hormonal acne — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • Gentleness and Non-Irritation Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “Plumps skin with moisture — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedNot noted
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “immediate glow — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • Dryness and Peeling Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “slightly drying — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “need a thick moisturizer — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “Made my face very dry and tight — Medik8 Press & Glow”
    • “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Severe Irritation and Burning Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Color Transfer and Fabric Bleaching Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “stained my white pillowcase — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • High Price Point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Initial Purging Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”

Medik8 vs Galderma routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · $235.67 · 96% fitBuy Galderma routine · $153.64 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Medik8 vs Galderma routines for oily skin

Buy Galderma routine · $326.92 · 96% fitBuy Medik8 routine · $418.54 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Medik8 vs Galderma routines for combination skin

Buy Galderma routine · $318.51 · 94% fitBuy Medik8 routine · $419.65 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Galderma: which is better?

Medik8 stands out for its deep hydration, gentle formulas, and glowing finish, while Galderma focuses effectively on clearing acne. Both brands deliver an equal routine fit for dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin, but Medik8 is better suited for sensitive skin.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Galderma?

Medik8 stands out for its gentle, hydrating serums and strong performance in brightening and improving skin texture, whereas Galderma specializes in effective acne-clearing serums that may cause severe dryness and peeling. Both brands offer high routine fits for several skin types, but Medik8 uses key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to provide deep hydration and plumping.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Galderma for dry skin?

Both Medik8 and Galderma reach a Superior routine fit for dry skin on this page, but Medik8 is generally chosen for deep hydration while Galderma focuses on active treatments. Using hyaluronic acid in products like Hydr8 B5 Intense helps provide lasting moisture and plumping effects.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Galderma?

Galderma is more affordable than Medik8, because Medik8 has a high price point as a frequently mentioned drawback.

Between Medik8 and Galderma, which brand performs better for texture and absorption according to reviewers?

Medik8 performs better for texture and absorption according to reviewers. The products on this page help improve skin texture while generally maintaining a pleasant experience.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Medik8 and Galderma?

Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom, whereas Galderma was established earlier in 1981 in Switzerland.

Which brand has more products containing fragrance on the page, Medik8 or Galderma?

Medik8 has more products containing fragrance on the page than Galderma, as Medik8 lists one fragranced product while Galderma lists none.

Medik8 or Galderma for oily skin?

Medik8 and Galderma provide a Superior routine fit for oily skin. Both brands offer effective options for this skin type, with Medik8 featuring hydrating serums and Galderma providing targeted acne-clearing serums.

Medik8 or Galderma for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for sensitive skin, achieving a Lovi fit level of Superior compared to Galderma's High. Reviewers mostly mention Medik8 for gentle and non-irritating serums, whereas Galderma is noted for severe dryness and peeling.

Medik8 or Galderma for acne-prone skin?

Medik8 and Galderma both achieve a Superior routine fit level for acne-prone skin on this page. Medik8 features gentle, non-irritating serums that help improve texture, whereas Galderma is known for effective acne-clearing serums.

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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