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SK-II vs Galderma

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

SK-II and Galderma are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to complexion care. Enthusiasts cherish SK-II for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera, while Galderma focuses on targeted serums. The former suits dry and acne-prone skin best, whereas the latter fits oily and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, they differ in their product ranges, signature ingredients, and formulation goals.

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

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular SK-II and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular SK-II vs Galderma products

People Say

SK-IIGalderma
  • Clears acne and prevents breakouts Not 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”
  • Improves texture and smoothness Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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 smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Lightweight and absorbent Often MentionedNot noted
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Anti-aging and brightening Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Intense burning and severe dryness Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • High price Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and skin purging Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Redness, irritation, and stinging Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “red as tomato — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Bleaches fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Lack of results or underwhelming effect Often MentionedNot noted
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

SK-II vs Galderma routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

SK-II vs Galderma routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

SK-II vs Galderma routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

SK-II or Galderma: which is better?

Galderma is better for clearing acne and preventing breakouts with its acne-clearing serums, whereas SK-II offers superior deep hydration, radiance, and anti-aging benefits.

What is the difference between SK-II and Galderma?

Galderma is better at clearing acne and preventing breakouts with products on this page, while SK-II does better with deep hydration, radiance, and improving texture and smoothness. For dry sensitive skin, SK-II achieves a Superior Lovi fit level compared to a High fit for Galderma.

SK-II or Galderma for dry skin?

For dry skin, the products on this page show that SK-II has a Superior routine fit while Galderma has a High fit. Reviewers note that Galderma can cause severe dryness and peeling.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Galderma?

Galderma is more affordable, whereas high price is listed as a downside for SK-II.

Between SK-II and Galderma, which brand provides better deep hydration and moisture?

Between SK-II and Galderma, SK-II does better at providing deep hydration and moisture based on reviewer themes on this page.

How do SK-II and Galderma compare regarding anti-aging and brightening benefits?

When it comes to anti-aging and brightening benefits, SK-II performs better than Galderma across the products on this page. Reviewers note that SK-II is superior for radiance, glow, and anti-aging, while Galderma focuses primarily on acne-clearing treatments.

Which brand has products that are reported to cause severe dryness and peeling?

Galderma is the brand whose products on this page are reported by reviewers to cause severe dryness and peeling.

SK-II or Galderma for oily skin?

Both SK-II and Galderma fit oily skin well, achieving a Superior routine fit on this page. Galderma is particularly noted for its effective acne-clearing serums, while SK-II offers lightweight and absorbent products on this page.

SK-II or Galderma for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, SK-II and Galderma both achieve a High fit level on Lovi. SK-II products on this page help improve texture and hydration, while Galderma focuses on effective acne-clearing serums that may occasionally cause dryness or irritation.

SK-II or Galderma for acne-prone skin?

Both brands achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin. Galderma is known for effective acne-clearing serums, whereas the products on this page by SK-II also help improve texture and smoothness.

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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