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Dermalogica vs SK-II

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

Dermalogica and SK-II are distinguished skincare brands that cater to distinct complexions and philosophies. The American brand relies on active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid within targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks to suit oily and combination skin best. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand leverages its signature pitera across luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, rejuvenating masks, and clarifying toners to adapt seamlessly to combination, oily, normal, and dry skin. While the former balances excess oil and moisture through targeted formulations, the latter refines pores, texture, and redness using botanical science.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

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

Popular Dermalogica vs SK-II products

People Say

DermalogicaSK-II
  • Brightening and radiance Sometimes NotedMostly 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”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
  • Gentle exfoliation and texture improvement 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”
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Customizable or luxurious texture and application Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “silky texture that absorbs quickly — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “packet is absolutely drenched — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Pump dispenser is convenient. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Fizzing formula is cool — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
  • Soothing, calming, and gentle on sensitive skin Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
    • “Calms redness — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • High price point and value Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Very expensive — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smells like medicine — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Drying sensation or limited effectiveness Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “A bit drying — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “Didn't clear most blackheads — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or SK-II: which is better?

Both Dermalogica and SK-II excel in different areas, with Dermalogica being better for deep hydration and soothing sensitive skin, while SK-II performs better for brightening, radiance, and lightweight absorption.

What is the difference between Dermalogica and SK-II?

Dermalogica focuses on deep hydration and soothing sensitive skin, while SK-II excels at brightening, lightweight absorption, and gentle exfoliation.

Dermalogica or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Dermalogica provides deep hydration and moisturization better than SK-II, featuring standout moisturizers like Stabilizing Repair Cream which helps dry skin and sensitive skin with a Superior Lovi fit level.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or SK-II?

Reviewers note that Dermalogica has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Dermalogica or SK-II?

Neither brand is shown to cause fewer breakouts because the provided page facts do not contain comparative breakout data for Dermalogica and SK-II.

Between Dermalogica and SK-II, which brand is better suited for deep hydration and moisturization?

Dermalogica is better suited for deep hydration and moisturization, as reviewers mostly mention it for intense hydration.

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

Dermalogica was founded in 1986 in the United States and has been owned by Unilever since 2015, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand performs better for brightening and radiance according to review themes?

According to the review themes, SK-II performs better for brightening and radiance.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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