Medik8 vs Galderma
Medik8 and Galderma are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. Medik8 is a British brand featuring serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, whereas Galderma is a Swiss brand providing specialized serums. The British brand suits dry skin and sensitive skin best, with hyaluronic acid lengthening toxin wrinkle effect duration, while the Swiss brand fits oily skin and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, the two brands differ through their unique ingredient philosophies, geographic origins, and primary skin-type suitability.
Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.
loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medik8 vs Galderma products
People Say
Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
- “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
- “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
- “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Acne Clearing and Prevention Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “cleared my hormonal acne — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
Gentleness and Non-Irritation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
- “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
- “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
- “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedNot noted
- “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
- “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
- “Plumps skin with moisture — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
Brightening and Glow Often MentionedNot noted
- “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
- “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
- “immediate glow — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
Dryness and Peeling Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “slightly drying — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
- “need a thick moisturizer — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
- “Made my face very dry and tight — Medik8 Press & Glow”
- “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Severe Irritation and Burning Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Color Transfer and Fabric Bleaching Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “stained my white pillowcase — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
- “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
High Price Point Often MentionedNot noted
- “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
Initial Purging Not notedOften Mentioned
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Medik8 vs Galderma routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.75
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
€12.59
-
Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€73.46
-
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
Bakuchiol Peptides
Evening · Once a week
€54.90
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€19.00
-
Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.75
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
€12.59
-
Moisturizer
d'Alba First Spray Serum
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
Benzac AC 5
Evening · Once a week
€16.64
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€19.00
Medik8 vs Galderma routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.75
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€16.59
-
Moisturizer
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€38.99
-
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
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Benzac AC 5
Evening · Once a week
€16.64
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€81.80
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.75
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€16.59
-
Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€73.46
-
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
Press & Glow
Evening
€83.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
€67.90
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€81.80
Medik8 vs Galderma routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€39.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.67
-
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
Benzac AC 5
Evening · Once a week
€16.64
-
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
-
Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€39.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€73.46
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
€83.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
€67.90
-
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
Medik8 or Galderma: which is better?
Medik8 provides better overall hydration and gentleness, making it a superior fit for dry and sensitive skin, while Galderma excels at acne clearing for oily skin types. Both brands offer solid options depending on your specific skin concerns.
What is the difference between Medik8 and Galderma?
Medik8 is best for dry, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin, offering gentle, hydrating serums that users find luxurious yet expensive, while Galderma focuses on oily and acne-prone skin with effective clearing serums that may cause severe dryness and peeling.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
Medik8 or Galderma for dry skin?
Medik8 is the better choice for dry skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Galderma at High. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration, and topical hyaluronic acid benefits skin quality.
Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Galderma?
Galderma is noted for having a high price point among reviewers, while Medik8 also faces mentions of its high price. Both brands deal with pricing concerns, but review themes directly highlight a high price point for Galderma.
Between Medik8 and Galderma, which brand is better for tackling dark spots?
Medik8 and Galderma both offer effective options, but Galderma achieves a superior routine fit for skin with dark spots on this page. Review themes show that Medik8 does better for brightening and glow, whereas Galderma is noted for acne-clearing serums.
How do Medik8 and Galderma compare when it comes to fragrance in their products?
Medik8 lists fragrance in only one of the products on this page, while Galderma lists no fragrance in every product on this page. This means both brands offer mostly fragrance-free formulas for shoppers.
Which brand has a wider product selection listed on the page, Medik8 or Galderma?
Medik8 has a wider product selection listed on this page, featuring twelve options compared to Galderma's three products. This larger variety helps shoppers find tailored options for different skin types.
Medik8 or Galderma for oily skin?
Both Medik8 and Galderma fit oily skin well, but Galderma is superior for this skin type while Medik8 has a High fit level. Galderma features effective acne-clearing serums, though reviewers note that it may cause severe dryness and peeling.
Medik8 or Galderma for sensitive skin?
Medik8 is a better fit for sensitive skin, achieving a Superior Lovi fit level compared to Galderma's High fit level. Reviewers often mention Medik8 for its gentle and non-irritating serums.
Medik8 or Galderma for acne-prone skin?
Medik8 and Galderma both fit acne-prone skin well, with Medik8 achieving a High routine fit and Galderma achieving a Superior routine fit. Galderma is especially noted for effective acne-clearing serums, whereas Medik8 products on this page are generally reviewed as gentle and non-irritating.
Research behind their key ingredients
Topical anti-inflammatory effects of isorhamnetin glycosides isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Effects of glyceryl glucoside on AQP3 expression, barrier function and hydration of human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Evaluation of moisturizing and irritation potential of sacha inchi oil
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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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
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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