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Cetaphil vs SK-II

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

Cetaphil and SK-II are prominent skincare brands that offer a range of gentle cleansers, moisturizers, serums, sunscreens, toners, and masks. The American brand, founded in 1947, relies on glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol to suit oily and combination skin best, while the Japanese brand, founded in 1980, centers its luxurious formulations around signature pitera to cater to dry and acne-prone skin. Both lines address specific concerns like dark spots and aging, yet they differ fundamentally in their origins, core ingredients, and ideal skin types.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs SK-II products

People Say

CetaphilSK-II
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Skin smoothing and softening Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Improves texture and radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Brightening and complexion Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “Face burns — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Chemical or unusual smell Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “has a slight chemical scent — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “Smell is too strong like chemical extract — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
    • “Smells like hospital soap. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or SK-II: which is better?

Cetaphil and SK-II both offer great options, but Cetaphil is better for gentle, budget-friendly care while SK-II excels at skin smoothing, softening, and brightening. The products on this page help improve hydration and texture, though Cetaphil features key ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid that may support barrier repair and reduce pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Cetaphil and SK-II?

Cetaphil is an American brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991. The products on this page from Cetaphil feature key ingredients such as glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and cocamidopropyl betaine, whereas SK-II products feature Pitera.

Cetaphil or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, Cetaphil has a High routine fit and SK-II has a Superior routine fit. The products on this page for both brands feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When choosing a moisturizer, SK-II reaches a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Cetaphil achieves an Average fit with products like its Moisturizing Cream. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulations across the moisturizers on this page.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or SK-II?

Cetaphil is more affordable, whereas SK-II has a high price point.

Between Cetaphil and SK-II, which brand does better for skin smoothing and softening?

SK-II does better than Cetaphil for skin smoothing and softening. The products on this page help improve texture, smoothness, and radiance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Cetaphil and SK-II compare?

Cetaphil was founded in 1947 in the United States and is owned by Galderma Group AG, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options listed across their products, Cetaphil or SK-II?

Cetaphil has more fragrance-free options listed across the products on this page, with 26 out of 27 products lacking fragrance, while every SK-II product lists no fragrance.

Cetaphil or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Cetaphil and SK-II achieve a High routine fit on Lovi. Cetaphil products on this page list key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin, while SK-II features Pitera.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both brands are well-suited for sensitive skin, with Lovi giving Cetaphil a High fit level and SK-II a High fit level. Cetaphil is particularly noted by reviewers for being gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Cetaphil fits best with a Lovi level of High, while SK-II fits with a Lovi level of Superior. The products on this page from Cetaphil feature key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help nourish the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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