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Medik8 vs SK-II

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

Medik8 and SK-II are established skincare brands offering serums, moisturizers, toners, and more. The British brand relies on hyaluronic acid to suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, while the Japanese brand centers its luxurious formulations on pitera to support dry skin and acne-prone skin. Both differ in their targeted solutions, with the former featuring options like Surface Radiance Cleanse, Oxy-R Peptides, and Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream, and the latter presenting the Genoptics Ultraura Essence, Facial Treatment Essence, and Facial Treatment Clear Lotion.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.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 Medik8 and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs SK-II products

People Say

Medik8SK-II
  • Texture and lightweight feel Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Brightening and glowing skin Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentleness and skin sensitivity Mostly MentionedRarely 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”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • High price point and value Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Results timeline and effectiveness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Tackiness, oiliness, and finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · $235.67 · 96% fitBuy SK-II routine · $591.97 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy Medik8 routine · $418.54 · 90% fitBuy SK-II routine · $713.54 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Medik8 routine · $419.65 · 93% fitBuy SK-II routine · $714.65 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but Medik8 has a Superior Lovi routine fit for dry sensitive skin, while SK-II holds a High fit. Medik8 features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help provide deep hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medik8 and SK-II?

Medik8 stands out for its high gentleness and skin sensitivity benefits, whereas SK-II performs better in texture, lightweight feel, brightening, and glowing skin. Both brands offer products on this page with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help maintain moisture.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for dry skin?

Both brands achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin. Medik8 helps deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while SK-II offers fragrance-free moisturizing options such as Facial Treatment Essence.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Medik8 and SK-II offer moisturizers like Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence with high fit levels for dry skin, and hyaluronic acid helps deliver deep hydration. Reviewers note that SK-II delivers better lightweight feel while Medik8 offers strong plumping and smoothing effects.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or SK-II?

When it comes to pricing, both brands sit at a high price point, but reviewers frequently mention a high price point as a negative for Medik8.

How do Medik8 and SK-II compare for routine fit on dry sensitive skin?

For routine fit on dry sensitive skin, Medik8 reaches a Superior level while SK-II reaches a High level. Both brands offer products on this page that may help with deep hydration, though topical hyaluronic acid helps improve overall skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Which brand has more fragrance-free products between Medik8 and SK-II?

Medik8 has more fragrance-free products on this page than SK-II, as 11 of its 12 products list no fragrance compared to all of SK-II's products.

How does the morning routine for dry skin differ between Medik8 and SK-II?

For dry skin, the morning routine differs in the moisturizer used: Medik8 features Hydr8 B5 Intense, while SK-II features Facial Treatment Essence. Both routines use the same cleanser, toner, and SPF products on this page.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for oily skin?

Both brands fit oily skin well, but Medik8 reaches a Superior Lovi fit level while SK-II reaches a High fit level for the products on this page. SK-II does better for texture and lightweight feel, whereas Medik8 may help with plumping and smoothing.

Medik8 or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Medik8 fits best with a Lovi fit level of Superior, while SK-II reaches a High level. Reviewers often mention Medik8 for gentleness and skin sensitivity.

Medik8 or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Medik8 and SK-II are both a Superior fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Topical ingredients like hyaluronic acid help provide hydration and support overall skin quality for acne-prone skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic 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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