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Cetaphil vs SK-II

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

Cetaphil and SK-II are prominent skincare brands offering diverse ranges of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and treatments designed to support balanced daily routines. Cetaphil is an American brand founded in 1947, widely loved for formulas featuring glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol that suit combination and acne-prone skin best. SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980, cherished globally for luxurious options anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera, which address dry and acne-prone skin. While both brands target specific concerns like dark spots and aging signs, they differ significantly in their heritage, core ingredients, and overall approach to skin health.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs SK-II products

People Say

CetaphilSK-II
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Skin smoothing and softening Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Improves texture and radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Brightening and complexion Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Contains fragrance, methylparaben, and benzyl alcohol. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Caused breakouts, small bumps, redness/irritation, fungal acne trigger. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Face burns — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Chemical or unusual smell Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “has a slight chemical scent — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “Smell is too strong like chemical extract — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
    • “Smells like hospital soap. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or SK-II: which is better?

Cetaphil and SK-II both offer strong options, with Cetaphil excelling in gentle, budget-friendly hydration and sensitive skin care using key ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, while SK-II delivers superior skin smoothing and brightening powered by Pitera.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Cetaphil and SK-II?

Cetaphil is a US brand founded in 1947 by Galderma, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 and owned by Procter & Gamble since 1991. The products on this page for Cetaphil feature key ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol, whereas SK-II products focus on Pitera.

Cetaphil or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands offer good options, though SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit compared to Cetaphil's High fit. The products on this page for both brands feature hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid that help retain moisture and improve skin barrier function.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil and SK-II both offer effective moisturizers, with Cetaphil providing budget-friendly hydration and SK-II excelling in skin smoothing and softening. Reviewers find that Cetaphil rates High to Superior for dry skin routines, while SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or SK-II?

Cetaphil is more affordable, whereas SK-II has a high price point. The products on this page for Cetaphil include budget-friendly cleansers and moisturizers, while SK-II features luxury treatments.

Between Cetaphil and SK-II, which brand performs better for mature skin and skin with dark spots?

Cetaphil and SK-II achieve equal Lovi fit levels of High for both mature skin and skin with dark spots. Review themes show that SK-II performs better for skin smoothing, softening, texture, radiance, and brightening, while Cetaphil is rated better for being gentle on sensitive skin.

How do Cetaphil and SK-II compare regarding review themes like hydration, skin smoothing, and fragrance?

Cetaphil and SK-II match on hydration with equal review scores, while SK-II does better on skin smoothing and softening. Both brands have every product on this page listing no fragrance, except for one Cetaphil cleanser.

Which brand offers better routine fit levels for dry sensitive skin and oily acne-prone skin?

SK-II offers superior routine fit levels for both dry sensitive skin and oily acne-prone skin, compared to Cetaphil which has high fit levels for these skin types.

Cetaphil or SK-II for oily skin?

Both brands offer products on this page that are a great match for oily skin, with Cetaphil earning a High routine fit and SK-II achieving a Superior routine fit. Niacinamide in Cetaphil products helps control oil and brighten the complexion, while SK-II features ingredients like Pitera that help improve skin texture and radiance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Cetaphil and SK-II both feature a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Reviewers note that Cetaphil does better on being gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi giving Cetaphil a Superior fit and SK-II a Superior fit. The products on this page help clean and hydrate without heavy oils.

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

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