Medicube vs Shiseido
Medicube and Shiseido are renowned Asian skincare brands celebrated for their thoughtful moisturizers, serums, and targeted treatments. Medicube, a 2016 Korean label, relies on niacinamide, collagen, and hyaluronic acid to best suit dry and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Shiseido, founded in Japan in 1872, utilizes glycerin to provide gentle daily care primarily for sensitive and mature skin. While the former focuses on balancing hydration and clarity through specialized gels, masks, and eye creams, the latter offers restorative softeners and creams designed to smooth wrinkles and enhance moisture. Ultimately, both labels differ in their heritage and key ingredients, yet each delivers profound results through meticulously formulated products.
Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..
medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co
Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.
corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com
This page compares some of the most popular Medicube and Shiseido products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medicube vs Shiseido products
People Say
Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
- “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
- “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
Radiant glow and brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
- “faded pimple marks — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
Skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “skin feels smoother — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “skin feels baby soft — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “smoothes rough skin — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
Luxurious texture and feel Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
- “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
- “Rich but absorbs well — Medicube TRIPLE COLLAGEN CREAM”
Convenient packaging and application Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “tweezers included are hygienic — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “perfect slip for my device — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “keeps my skincare in place — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “Great base for makeup — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
Pore care and cleansing Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Pores drastically reduced — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
- “Mochi-like foam — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
- “Removes every trace of oil — Medicube Red Foam Cleanser”
- “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
Small quantity and high price Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “tube is tiny for the price — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “price is steep — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “price is a bit steep — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
Strong fragrance and scent issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “slightly fishy smell — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “smells like old lady perfume — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “Scent is overpowering — Medicube TRIPLE COLLAGEN CREAM”
- “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
Sticky or heavy residue Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Stays tacky and shiny — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “feels a bit oily — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
- “slightly tacky — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
- “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
Medicube vs Shiseido routines for dry skin
-
Cleanser
Zero Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.79
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning
€11.64
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
SPF
Australian Gold Botanical Lotion SPF 30
Morning
€21.04
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
-
Serum or Treatment
One Day Exosome Shot 2000
Evening · Once a week
€16.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Deep Peptide Radiance Mask
Once a week
€7.99
-
Cleanser
Clarifying Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€31.02
-
Hydrating Toner
Eudermine Revitalizing Essence
Morning
€35.50
-
Moisturizer
Essential Energy Hydrating Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€36.00
-
SPF
Australian Gold Botanical Lotion SPF 30
Morning
€21.04
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
-
Serum or Treatment
Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
€94.99
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€19.00
Medicube vs Shiseido routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.60
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
€11.64
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€32.80
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
€16.98
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
€15.89
-
Cleanser
Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€35.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Eudermine Revitalizing Essence
Morning · Once a week
€35.50
-
Moisturizer
Essential Energy Hydrating Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€36.00
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€32.80
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
€94.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€81.80
Medicube vs Shiseido routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.60
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
€11.64
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
€16.98
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
€15.89
-
Cleanser
Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€35.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Eudermine Revitalizing Essence
Morning · Once a week
€35.50
-
Moisturizer
Essential Energy Hydrating Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€36.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
€94.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
Questions and answers
Medicube or Shiseido: which is better?
Medicube is better for dry skin and pore care, while Shiseido is better for deep hydration and luxurious textures. Both brands offer high routine fits across most skin types, though Medicube has fragrance in only two products on this page compared to Shiseido's heavy use of fragrance.
What is the difference between Medicube and Shiseido?
Medicube offers superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Shiseido and tends to perform better for pore care and smoothing texture, while Shiseido leads in deep hydration and luxurious texture. Medicube products on this page are largely fragrance-free, whereas most Shiseido products contain fragrance.
Medicube or Shiseido for dry skin?
Medicube is the better choice for dry skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Shiseido's Average fit level. Medicube products on this page frequently feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.
Medicube or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?
Medicube does better than Shiseido for pore care and cleansing, with its products on this page featuring cleansers like the Zero Foam Cleanser and Red Foam Cleanser.
Which is more affordable, Medicube or Shiseido?
Medicube is generally more affordable than Shiseido, though reviewers note small quantities and pricing issues for Medicube while frequently mentioning Shiseido's high price point.
Medicube or Shiseido: which brand has more fragrance-free products?
Medicube has more fragrance-free products on this page than Shiseido, as 23 of its 25 products list no fragrance compared to only 5 of 20 Shiseido products.
Medicube or Shiseido: which is better for mature skin and skin with dark spots?
Both Medicube and Shiseido offer a High routine fit for mature skin and skin with dark spots on this page. Medicube uses ingredients like niacinamide, which may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
Medicube or Shiseido: how do their company origins and founding years compare?
Medicube was founded in 2016 in South Korea and is owned by APR Corp., whereas Shiseido was founded much earlier in 1872 in Japan and is owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.
Medicube or Shiseido for oily skin?
Medicube and Shiseido both fit oily skin at a High routine fit level on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Medicube helps with pore care and cleansing, while Shiseido helps with deep hydration.
Medicube or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?
Both Medicube and Shiseido offer well-liked moisturizers, but Medicube is generally better for dry skin with a Superior routine fit compared to Shiseido's Average fit. Medicube moisturizers help provide deep hydration and a radiant glow, though some shoppers mention a sticky residue. Shiseido moisturizers also provide deep hydration with luxurious textures, but most products on this page list fragrance which may irritate sensitive skin.
Medicube or Shiseido for sensitive skin?
Both Medicube and Shiseido fit sensitive skin at a High level. Medicube is unlikely to cause scent issues for sensitive skin, as 23 of 25 products on this page list no fragrance, whereas most Shiseido products on this page contain fragrance.
Medicube or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?
Medicube and Shiseido offer an equal routine fit level of High for acne-prone skin. Medicube features salicylic acid as a key ingredient, which helps with pore care and skin texture, and its products on this page list no fragrance in 23 of 25 items.
Research behind their key ingredients
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
Anatomical site differences of sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritation: randomized controlled trial
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Composition characterization and clinical efficacy study of a salmon egg extract
Transdermal Delivery of Baicalin Based on Bio-Vesicles and Its Efficacy in Antiaging of the Skin
Liposomal formulation of a vitamin C derivative: a promising strategy to increase skin permeability
Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora
New Chalcone-Derived Molecule for the Topical Regulation of Hyperpigmentation and Skin Aging
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.




















































