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Medik8 vs Elemis

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

Medik8 and Elemis are British skincare brands offering nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, and gentle cleansers. Medik8, founded in 2009, features hyaluronic acid and suits dry and dry sensitive skin, whereas Elemis, established in 1989, relies on hydrating glycerin and softening shea for mature and dry skin. While the former focuses on targeted treatments like Surface Radiance Cleanse and Oxy-R Peptides, the latter is celebrated for formulations such as Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. Ultimately, both brands differ through their distinct heritage, ingredient philosophies, and specialized solutions for various skin concerns.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Elemis products

People Say

Medik8Elemis
  • Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and elegant texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Skin plumping and smoothing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “skin feels baby-soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Brightening and glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “instantly fresh glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Pleasant experience and scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • High price point Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Slow or underwhelming results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “didn't see difference — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Verdict still out. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
  • Packaging issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Elemis: which is better?

Medik8 is generally better for sensitive skin because its products on this page are mostly fragrance-free and formulated to be gentle. Elemis tends to be better for lightweight textures and pleasing scents, though many of its products on this page contain added fragrance.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Elemis?

Medik8 tends to be gentler and less irritating, whereas Elemis offers a more pleasant scent and luxurious texture. Medik8 achieves a Superior fit for dry skin, while Elemis reaches a High fit.

Medik8 or Elemis for dry skin?

For dry skin, Medik8 is the better choice because the products on this page provide superior routine fit compared to Elemis. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient across Medik8 products on this page, helps improve skin quality and hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Medik8 is better for cleansing because its Surface Radiance Cleanse has a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots on this page, whereas Elemis has no cleanser with a Superior fit level.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Elemis?

Both Medik8 and Elemis feature a high price point as a common drawback in reviews, so neither stands out as the more affordable option.

Between Medik8 and Elemis, which brand has better fragrance-free options?

Medik8 offers significantly more fragrance-free options, as 11 of the 12 products on this page list no fragrance. In contrast, Elemis includes fragrance in the vast majority of its products on this page.

Which skincare brand provides a more gentle and non-irritating formula, Medik8 or Elemis?

Medik8 does better than Elemis for providing a gentle and non-irritating formula. Reviewers mostly mention Medik8 for its gentle and non-irritating serums.

How do the foundation years and corporate ownerships of Medik8 and Elemis compare?

Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025. In comparison, Elemis was founded earlier in 1989 in the United Kingdom and is owned by L'Occitane Group.

Medik8 or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Medik8 and Elemis achieve a High Lovi routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page show that Medik8 features mostly fragrance-free formulations, whereas Elemis includes fragrance in the majority of its range.

Medik8 or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 is better for dry skin and dry sensitive skin, where its moisturizers achieve a superior fit compared to Elemis. Reviewers note that Medik8 formulas tend to be gentler and non-irritating.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is the better choice for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Elemis, which is High. Reviewers also note that Medik8 offers gentle and non-irritating formulas.

Medik8 or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Medik8 and Elemis fit acne-prone skin well, with Medik8 achieving a High routine fit level on this page. Medik8 offers gentle formulas that help prevent irritation while managing blemishes.

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

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