Biore vs SK-II
Biore and SK-II are Japanese skincare brands founded in 1980 that offer distinct paths to a balanced complexion. Biore is beloved for thoughtful sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers that suit sensitive and oily skin best, while the global favorite SK-II is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera to suit dry and acne-prone skin best. While both brands work steadily to support refreshed skin through effective formulas, the former relies on gentle and clarifying ingredients, and the latter utilizes signature ingredients to actively improve pore area, roughness, and redness.
Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.
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 Biore and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Biore vs SK-II products
People Say
Lightweight and watery texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
- “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
Effective debris and deep clean removal Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
Makeup base and removal Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “primer-like — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “Removes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
Radiance and glow 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”
- “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
Clear complexion and gentle rinse Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “No greasy film, leaves skin fresh, rinses easily. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “Helped clear my blackheads — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “Leaves skin soft, doesn't dry out face. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “Emulsifies well, rinses off completely, leaves no oily residue. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
Hydrating and dewy finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
- “balanced my oily T-zone — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
Exorbitant and high price Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
Strong alcohol or unpleasant scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
- “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
Inconsistent or poor performance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Doesn't get all blackheads — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Doesn't contour to crevices — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
- “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
Skin irritation and redness Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Face burns — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
- “Nose was irritated — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
Biore vs SK-II routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.50
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
-
Moisturizer
Facial Treatment Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€105.74
-
SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
-
Pre-Cleanser
Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€126.95
-
Serum or Treatment
Genoptics Ultraura Essence
Evening · Once a week
€259.99
-
Nourishing Mask
Facial Treatment Mask
Once a week
€92.31
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.50
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
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Moisturizer
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€76.29
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
€33.88
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
€86.15
-
Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
Biore vs SK-II routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.35
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.47
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
€33.88
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€29.29
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
€86.15
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.35
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
Facial Treatment Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€105.74
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€34.30
-
Pre-Cleanser
Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€126.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Facial Treatment Clear Lotion
Evening
€85.59
-
Serum or Treatment
Genoptics Ultraura Essence
Evening · Once a week
€259.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
Biore vs SK-II routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€32.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.47
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
€33.88
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€17.15
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
€86.15
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
-
Cleanser
Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€32.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Facial Treatment Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€105.74
-
Pre-Cleanser
Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€126.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Facial Treatment Clear Lotion
Evening
€85.59
-
Serum or Treatment
Genoptics Ultraura Essence
Evening · Once a week
€259.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
Questions and answers
Biore or SK-II: which is better?
When comparing the two brands, Biore and SK-II are both strong choices depending on your specific skincare needs and budget. Biore is better known for effective debris removal and makeup melting, whereas SK-II stands out for bringing radiance and glow to the skin.
What is the difference between Biore and SK-II?
Biore and SK-II are both Japanese skincare brands founded in 1980, but they differ in company ownership and product performance. The products on this page from Biore are known for effective debris removal and makeup cleansing, whereas SK-II stands out for bringing radiance and glow. Lovi rates Biore as having a Superior fit for sensitive skin, while SK-II holds a Superior fit for acne-prone skin.
Biore or SK-II for dry skin?
For dry skin, both Biore and SK-II are good choices, as Lovi rates SK-II as Superior and Biore as High for a dry-skin routine. Reviewers note that SK-II provides radiance and glow, while the products on this page for both brands list no fragrance.
Which is more affordable, Biore or SK-II?
Biore is more affordable than SK-II, as SK-II faces a review disadvantage for exorbitant and high prices. Both brands list no fragrance in the products on this page.
Between Biore and SK-II, which brand performs better for radiance and glow?
SK-II does better for radiance and glow. Every product on this page from both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
How do the founding years and parent companies of Biore and SK-II compare?
Both Biore and SK-II were founded in Japan in 1980. However, Biore is owned by the Kao Corporation, while SK-II has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.
Which brand is better suited for achieving a clear complexion and gentle rinse, Biore or SK-II?
Biore is better suited for achieving a clear complexion and gentle rinse, as the products on this page do better in these areas compared to SK-II. Every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Biore or SK-II for oily skin?
For oily skin, both Biore and SK-II are good choices, as Lovi rates both brands at a High routine fit level. The products on this page for SK-II also include Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, which has a High fit level for oily skin.
Biore or SK-II for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, Biore has a Superior routine fit on this page, while SK-II achieves a High fit level. Every product on this page from both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Biore or SK-II for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, SK-II is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, whereas Biore's fit is High.
Research behind their key ingredients
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Three clinical studies showing the anti-aging benefits of sodium salicylate in human skin
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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