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Hada Labo vs SK-II

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

Hada Labo and SK-II are Japanese skincare lines celebrated for delivering essential hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. While the former focuses on hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers powered by advanced science, the latter offers luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, rejuvenating masks, and clarifying toners driven by its signature ingredient, pitera. The first brand suits dry and acne-prone skin best, whereas the second adapts seamlessly to combination, oily, normal, and dry complexions. Ultimately, they differ through their core formulations, as both leverage distinct ingredients to address specific needs like dark spots, mature skin, and uneven texture.

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular Hada Labo vs SK-II products

People Say

Hada LaboSK-II
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften 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”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Other positive benefits Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “silky texture that absorbs quickly — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “balanced my oily T-zone — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “hydrating but not heavy — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Radiance, glow and brightening 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”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Gentle formulation Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “no irritation, no breakouts — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Fades dark spots and even skin tone Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “My skin appeared more even toned. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • High price and cost concerns Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow results or lack of effectiveness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “takes months to see results — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “takes time to see results — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Other product performance issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Contains fragrance, methylparaben, and benzyl alcohol. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Caused breakouts, small bumps, redness/irritation, fungal acne trigger. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “makes my vision cloudy — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

Hada Labo or SK-II: which is better?

Hada Labo does better for deep hydration and gentle formulations, while SK-II does better for lightweight texture, radiance, and other positive benefits. Both brands offer products with no fragrance on this page.

What is the difference between Hada Labo and SK-II?

Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration and gentle, fragrance-free formulations with hyaluronic acid, while SK-II offers lightweight textures and brightening benefits powered by Pitera.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Hada Labo or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing the moisturizers on these pages, Hada Labo focuses heavily on deep hydration with hyaluronic acid, while SK-II offers lightweight textures using Pitera. Lovi rates the Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel as a High fit for dry and dry sensitive skin, and the SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream as a High fit for mature, dry, and dry sensitive skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Hada Labo or SK-II?

Hada Labo is more affordable, though reviewers note high price and cost concerns as a drawback for the brand.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Hada Labo or SK-II?

Neither brand is described as having fewer breakouts on this page.

Which brand was founded earlier, Hada Labo or SK-II?

SK-II was founded earlier in 1980, whereas Hada Labo was founded in 2004.

What are the key active ingredients used across Hada Labo and SK-II products?

The products on this page from Hada Labo feature hyaluronic acid as a key ingredient, while SK-II uses Pitera across its line.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which brand offers a cleansing oil that is rated Superior for dry skin?

Hada Labo offers a cleansing oil on this page, the Gokujyun Cleansing Oil, that Lovi rates as Superior for dry skin.

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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