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Lancôme vs SK-II

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

Lancôme and SK-II are esteemed skincare brands rooted in French and Japanese traditions, respectively. The French house offers thoughtful moisturizers, eye products, serums, and toners formulated with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and adenosine to suit sensitive and mature skin. Conversely, the Japanese brand is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by its signature pitera for dry and acne-prone skin. While both elevate the complexion through targeted solutions, they differ in their foundational ingredients and the specific skin types they nurture best.

Lancôme is a French skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1964.

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

Popular Lancôme vs SK-II products

People Say

LancômeSK-II
  • Lightweight texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
    • “absorbs almost instantly — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Deep hydration Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives my skin an instant dewy glow — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
    • “keeps the skin soft and hydrated — Lancôme HYDRA ZEN”
    • “The product provides deep hydration and visible rejuvenation. — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Night Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Radiance and 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”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Skin looks lit from within — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
  • Improves skin 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 cushiony soft — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
  • Hydration, plumping and soothing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin felt more plump — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “instantly soothed my skin — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “instantly calms my redness — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Makeup compatibility and base Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “concealer applies smoothly — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream”
    • “layers beautifully under makeup — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “perfect moisturizer to prep your skin before makeup — Lancôme HYDRA ZEN”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • High price point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “super expensive — Lancôme Absolue Precious Oil”
    • “expensive as hell — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
    • “bit of a splurge — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Strong or unpleasant fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “My only issue with it is the fragrance. — Lancôme Hydra Zen Gel Cream”
    • “scent is too strong — Lancôme Absolue Revitalizing Eye Cream”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Subtle, lack of, or slow results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't notice much change in wrinkles — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “Did absolutely nothing — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
    • “didn't see major changes — Lancôme Absolue Revitalizing Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Lancôme vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Lancôme vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Lancôme vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

What is the difference between Lancôme and SK-II?

Lancôme features many fragranced products and is noted for deep hydration, whereas SK-II offers fragrance-free formulas that excel in radiance and texture improvement. Lovi rates SK-II as superior for dry, oily, acne-prone, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin, while both brands reach high fit levels for sensitive and mature skin.

Lancôme or SK-II for dry skin?

SK-II is a better fit for dry skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Lancôme. Glycerin in Lancôme products helps support hydration.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Lancôme or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II has a superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Lancôme, and every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance. Glycerin helps provide deep hydration in Lancôme formulas.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which is more affordable, Lancôme or SK-II?

Reviewers note a high price point for Lancôme among the products on this page, but there is no affordability data for SK-II.

Which brand has a stronger fragrance, Lancôme or SK-II?

Lancôme has a stronger fragrance, as 11 of the 14 products on this page list fragrance in their ingredients, whereas every product on this SK-II page lists no fragrance.

Lancôme or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both brands fit sensitive skin well, with Lovi rating Lancôme High and SK-II High. Reviewers note that Lancôme helps soothe sensitive skin, while every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance.

Lancôme or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

SK-II is a superior fit for acne-prone skin, while Lovi rates Lancôme as a High fit. Glycerin helps provide deep hydration, and hyaluronic acid helps improve skin moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Lancôme or SK-II for mature skin?

Both brands are a High fit for mature skin. Lancome features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Lancôme or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

Both brands achieve a High Lovi fit for skin with dark spots. Lancôme helps provide deep hydration, while SK-II helps improve skin radiance and texture.

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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