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SK-II vs Aēsop

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

SK-II and Aēsop are renowned skincare brands offering luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, rejuvenating masks, clarifying toners, and gentle cleansers. The Japanese brand founded in 1980 is celebrated for formulas powered by its signature ingredient, pitera, which suits combination, oily, normal, and dry skin best. Meanwhile, the second brand relies on botanical and scientifically validated ingredients to suit balanced, combination, and sensitive skin best. They differ primarily in their core philosophies, as the former utilizes pitera to improve pore area, roughness, and redness, while the latter works harmoniously to support overall skin health and resilience.

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

Popular SK-II vs Aēsop products

People Say

SK-IIAēsop
  • Hydration and Balance Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “woke up with baby-soft skin — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
    • “Intensely hydrating yet mattifying effect. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
    • “Savior of my winter-fueled dry skin. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “absorbs well into the skin — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
  • Radiance and Glow Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Skin appears to be brighter, more radiant. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
  • Gentle Formula and Soothing Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “saved my skin — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
    • “Reduces inflammation overnight. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
    • “I used to have severe flaking... but after using this product, it's disappeared. — Aēsop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Pleasant Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells divine — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
    • “Soft herbal scent that feels fresh and floral. — Aēsop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser”
    • “Subtle rose fragrance, spa-like scent, not overpowering. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Cleansing and Makeup Removal Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft after cleansing. — Aēsop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “quantity is too small — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
    • “The price is quite steep. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
  • Skin Reactions and Breakouts Often MentionedOften 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”
    • “Thick, almost honey-like, and needs a moment to melt in. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
  • Scent and Fragrance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “smells like carrots — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
    • “Nasty smell... would not buy again. — Aēsop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser”
  • Lack of Results Often MentionedNot noted
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Questions and answers

SK-II or Aēsop: which is better?

Both brands perform well, with SK-II offering products on this page that have a High Lovi fit for texture and radiance, while Aēsop provides deep hydration and balanced, non-greasy moisturizers.

What is the difference between SK-II and Aēsop?

SK-II tends to do better for texture, absorption, and radiance with its Pitera-based formulas, while Aēsop is often favored for hydration, balance, and soothing formulas. The products on this page for both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients.

SK-II or Aēsop: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, SK-II and Aēsop both offer solid choices depending on your skin type, with SK-II products on this page achieving High fit levels for dry and mature skin. Aēsop also brings strong hydration options, such as the B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel which has a High fit for combination and acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Aēsop?

Both SK-II and Aēsop are equally matched when it comes to being a high price, so neither brand is more affordable on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or Aēsop?

Aēsop does better than SK-II for skin reactions and breakouts based on reviewer feedback. Reviewers note that the products on this page for SK-II have negative mentions regarding skin reactions and breakouts, whereas Aēsop avoids this issue.

Which brand has more pleasant scents, SK-II or Aēsop?

Aesop does better for pleasant scent according to reviewers, while the products on this page for both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients.

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

SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991, while Aēsop was founded in 1987 and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe as of 2023.

Which brand performs better for hydration and balance according to review themes?

According to review themes, Aēsop performs better for hydration and balance. Reviewers often mention deep hydration and non-greasy, balancing moisturizers across the products on this page.

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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