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Medik8 vs SK-II

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

Medik8 and SK-II are established skincare names, with the British brand founded in 2009 and the Japanese pioneer launched in 1980. Medik8 relies on hyaluronic acid to lengthen the wrinkle-smoothing effect, while SK-II uses its signature pitera to improve pores, roughness, and redness. Both collections suit dry skin, though the former excels for sensitive profiles and the latter for addressing imbalances. They differ in their core offerings and heritage, offering distinct paths to refined radiance.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.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 Medik8 and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs SK-II products

People Say

Medik8SK-II
  • Texture and lightweight feel Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Brightening and glowing skin Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentleness and skin sensitivity Mostly MentionedRarely 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”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • High price point and value Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Results timeline and effectiveness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Tackiness, oiliness, and finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or SK-II: which is better?

Medik8 and SK-II are both great choices, with Medik8 standing out for gentleness and plumping while SK-II delivers better texture and brightening. Depending on your skin type, both brands offer products on this page that help improve skin quality and hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medik8 and SK-II?

Medik8 stands out for its gentleness and skin sensitivity, whereas SK-II scores better for texture and lightweight feel. Both brands achieve equal levels of routine fit for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots.

Medik8 or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Medik8 and SK-II achieve a Superior routine fit for dry skin, though they use different key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and Pitera across the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration and skin-smoothing effects.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers that help hydrate and nourish the skin on the products on this page. Medik8 fits best for dry and sensitive skin types, while SK-II is well suited for dry and acne-prone skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or SK-II?

Reviewers note that both Medik8 and SK-II have a high price point, but Medik8 scores less favorably on price point and value among the products on this page.

Between Medik8 and SK-II, which brand performs better for mature skin?

Medik8 provides a Superior routine fit for mature skin, whereas SK-II offers a High fit. Reviewers note that the products on this page from Medik8 help deliver a plumping and smoothing effect.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do Medik8 and SK-II compare regarding fragrance in their products?

Medik8 offers products on this page that are mostly free of added scent, though Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream contains fragrance. SK-II ensures that every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand has better routine fit for combination skin, Medik8 or SK-II?

Medik8 has a better routine fit for combination skin, achieving a Superior level compared to SK-II's High fit rating. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration and smoothing effects for combination skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, SK-II is the better choice as it achieves a Superior routine fit compared to the High fit provided by Medik8.

Medik8 or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for sensitive skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to SK-II's High level. Reviewers on this page frequently mention that Medik8's products are gentle and non-irritating.

Medik8 or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands offer good options, with SK-II achieving a Superior routine fit and Medik8 reaching a High fit on the products on this page. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid found in the products on this page help provide deep hydration and plumping.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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