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Clinique vs SK-II

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

Clinique and SK-II are established skincare houses that offer distinct approaches to complexion care through targeted moisturizers, serums, and specialized treatments. The American brand, founded in 1968, relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to comfort dry sensitive skin and oily skin, whereas the Japanese counterpart, founded in 1980, anchors its luxurious formulations in pitera to balance dry skin and acne-prone skin. While both labels address specific concerns like dark spots and aging, they differ fundamentally in their heritage and signature ingredients.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs SK-II products

People Say

CliniqueSK-II
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Gentle for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “doesn't dry out — Clinique all about clean”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Smoother Skin and Texture Sometimes NotedOften 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”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Radiance and Glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Makeup Base Compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “quite pricey — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lack of Results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Clinique vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but SK-II has a Superior routine fit for dry, acne-prone, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin types compared to Clinique. Reviewers note that SK-II does better for hydration and plumping, smoother skin and texture, and radiance and glow.

What is the difference between Clinique and SK-II?

Clinique and SK-II are both fragrance-free skincare brands, but they differ in their formulations and skin benefits. The products on this page show that Clinique focuses on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to support sensitive and dry skin, while SK-II centers on its signature ingredient, Pitera, to deliver superior hydration, radiance, and texture smoothing for dry and acne-prone skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, whereas Clinique's routine is rated Average. SK-II provides targeted hydration and plumping for dry skin types through products on this page like the Facial Treatment Essence.

Clinique or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II helps provide a higher level of hydration and plumping for moisturizers compared to Clinique. Lovi rates SK-II as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clinique is Average.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or SK-II?

Clinique is known for a high price point, but the products on this page for both brands feature premium pricing compared to standard drugstore options.

Which brand provides better radiance and glow, Clinique or SK-II?

SK-II provides better radiance and glow compared to Clinique based on reviewer themes on this page.

Clinique or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit on Lovi, while Clinique reaches a High fit. The products on this page for both brands contain no fragrance.

Clinique or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, making them equally suitable choices. Reviewers highlight Clinique as particularly gentle for sensitive skin, while the products on this page for both brands contain no fragrance.

Clinique or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

SK-II is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to an Average fit for Clinique.

Clinique or SK-II for mature skin?

For mature skin, both Clinique and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level across their product ranges. Reviewers find that Clinique offers better makeup base compatibility and is gentler for sensitive skin, while SK-II delivers superior hydration, plumping, smoother skin texture, and radiance.

Clinique or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, Lovi finds that SK-II offers High fit levels across its products on this page compared to Average for Clinique.

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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