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celimax vs SK-II

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

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..

celimax.comcelimax.us

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

celimaxSK-II
  • 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

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

celimax vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

celimax vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

celimax or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but SK-II tends to edge out celimax for hydration, lightweight texture, and smoothing, while celimax is noted for being gentle and soothing. Reviewers find that SK-II is superior for dry, oily, acne-prone, and dry sensitive skin types.

What is the difference between celimax and SK-II?

celimax is a South Korean brand founded in 2019 that focuses heavily on soothing and calming sensitive and acne-prone skin, whereas SK-II is an older Japanese brand owned by Procter & Gamble that centers its formulas around Pitera and tends to score higher for hydration and glow.

celimax or SK-II for dry skin?

When it comes to dry skin, SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit on Lovi compared to celimax which reaches an Average fit. The products on this page for SK-II include options like the Facial Treatment Essence, while celimax features barrier-supporting favorites like the Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream.

celimax or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, both celimax and SK-II offer strong options depending on your skin type. SK-II delivers superior hydration and glow with its iconic Facial Treatment Essence, while celimax is recognized for soothing and calming dry or sensitive skin using barrier-focused formulas.

Which is more affordable, celimax or SK-II?

Review themes indicate that celimax does better on price versus value compared to SK-II, meaning celimax is the more affordable option.

celimax or SK-II: which brand is better for hydration and glow?

SK-II is better for hydration and glow as reviewers note it outperforms celimax in providing deep hydration and a glowing finish across the products on this page.

celimax or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, SK-II is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior while celimax is High. Both brands offer products with no added fragrance.

celimax or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both celimax and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that celimax does better for gentle and non-irritating care, while every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

celimax or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, celimax is High and SK-II is Superior according to Lovi fit levels. Reviewers mention that celimax offers soothing and calming moisturizers, while SK-II leans toward hydration and glow.

celimax or SK-II for mature skin?

Both celimax and SK-II are good options for mature skin. Lovi rates the routine fit for mature skin as High for celimax and High for SK-II.

celimax or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, both brands perform well with Lovi rating them High. celimax helps soothe and calm skin while offering fragrance-free products, whereas SK-II uses Pitera to target skin texture and glow.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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