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SK-II vs Galderma

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

SK-II and Galderma are skincare brands founded in Japan in 1980 and Switzerland in 1981, respectively. SK-II offers luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, rejuvenating masks, and clarifying toners powered by pitera, while Galderma provides targeted serums. The Japanese brand suits combination, oily, normal, and dry skin best with botanical science that improves pores, roughness, and redness, whereas the Swiss brand features specific treatments like Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC for varied skin concerns. These labels differ in their core formulations and heritage, offering distinct paths to a balanced complexion.

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

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

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

Popular SK-II vs Galderma products

People Say

SK-IIGalderma
  • Clears acne and prevents breakouts Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Improves texture and smoothness Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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 smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Lightweight and absorbent Often MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Anti-aging and brightening Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Intense burning and severe dryness Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • High price Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and skin purging Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Redness, irritation, and stinging Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “red as tomato — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Bleaches fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Lack of results or underwhelming effect Often MentionedNot noted
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Questions and answers

SK-II or Galderma: which is better?

Galderma is better for clearing acne and preventing breakouts with its effective acne-clearing serums, whereas SK-II does better for radiance, deep hydration, and smoothness with the products on this page. However, Galderma may cause severe dryness and irritation.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018

What is the difference between SK-II and Galderma?

Galderma is better for clearing acne and preventing breakouts with its acne-clearing serums, whereas SK-II does better for deep hydration, improving texture, and radiance with products on this page like its essences and creams. Reviewers note that Galderma's serums may cause severe dryness and irritation, while SK-II products have a High fit for dry and sensitive skin types.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Galderma?

Galderma has a high price, and the products on this page for SK-II do not list affordability details.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or Galderma?

Galderma is better at clearing acne and preventing breakouts, while the products on this page for SK-II may sometimes cause breakouts and skin purging. Galderma's serums have a High fit for acne-prone skin.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020

Which brand has more products with a High Lovi fit level for dry skin, SK-II or Galderma?

SK-II has more products with a High Lovi fit level for dry skin on this page, including the Facial Treatment Essence and Skinpower Advanced Cream. Galderma products on this page are unlikely to suit dry skin well, often earning Low or Caution fit levels.

Do any products from SK-II or Galderma contain fragrance?

Every product on this page from both SK-II and Galderma lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand offers products specifically formulated for mature skin?

SK-II offers products on this page that have a High Lovi fit level for mature skin, such as the Facial Treatment Essence and the Skinpower Advanced Cream. In contrast, Galderma's products on this page show a Caution fit level for mature 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

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