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Clinique vs SK-II

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

Clinique and SK-II are established skincare houses that offer thoughtfully crafted moisturizers, serums, and targeted treatments for diverse complexions. The American brand is widely loved for incorporating hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine to best suit dry, sensitive, and oily skin, whereas the Japanese counterpart is deeply appreciated for harnessing its signature ingredient, pitera, to seamlessly adapt to combination, oily, normal, and dry skin. Both brands differ through their distinct formulations and foundational philosophies, yet each provides elevated daily solutions for specific concerns.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs SK-II products

People Say

CliniqueSK-II
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Gentle for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “doesn't dry out — Clinique all about clean”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Smoother Skin and 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 silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Radiance and Glow Not 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”
  • Makeup Base Compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “quite pricey — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lack of Results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Questions and answers

Clinique or SK-II: which is better?

When comparing Clinique and SK-II, Clinique is better for sensitive skin due to being more gentle, whereas SK-II does better for hydration, plumping, smoother skin and texture, and radiance and glow.

What is the difference between Clinique and SK-II?

Clinique and SK-II differ in how reviewers rate their performance, with SK-II doing better for hydration and plumping, smoother skin and texture, and radiance and glow, while Clinique does better for being gentle for sensitive skin and makeup base compatibility. Reviewers also note that SK-II may cause breakouts, whereas Clinique is noted for having a high price point and a lack of results.

Clinique or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to hydration and plumping, SK-II does better than Clinique according to reviewers, while Clinique is often noted for its lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in the products on this page, helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Clinique or SK-II?

Reviewers note that Clinique has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Clinique or SK-II?

Clinique is less likely to cause breakouts than SK-II, as review themes note that SK-II may cause breakouts while Clinique is only sometimes noted for this issue.

Which brand is better for sensitive skin, Clinique or SK-II?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin, as it is gentler for this skin type and its products on this page list no fragrance. Additionally, the products on this page feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do the founding years and parent companies of Clinique and SK-II compare?

Clinique was founded in the United States in 1968 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., while SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

What are the key active ingredients found across Clinique and SK-II products?

Clinique features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, caffeine, and salicylic acid, while SK-II products focus primarily on Pitera. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and elasticity.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

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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