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Elemis vs SK-II

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

Elemis and SK-II are established skincare houses that offer nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, toners, and restorative masks. The British brand is known for hydrating glycerin and softening shea, while the Japanese brand is celebrated for its signature ingredient, pitera. Elemis suits mature skin and dry skin best, whereas SK-II suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best. The two differ primarily in their core formulations and heritage, as one focuses on restoring suppleness while the other addresses imbalances.

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

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Elemis vs SK-II products

People Say

ElemisSK-II
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Radiance and Glow Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Skin Smoothing and Exfoliation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Prep Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Scent and Fragrance Experience Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “Subtle rose fragrance, spa-like scent, not overpowering. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “expensive — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Underwhelming or Slow Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and Skin Reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”

Elemis vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Elemis vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Elemis vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Elemis or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands are great, but they shine for different reasons based on the products on this page. Elemis is a strong match for mature and dry skin types, while SK-II offers superior routines for acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between Elemis and SK-II?

Elemis is a UK-based brand founded in 1989 that often features scented formulas and is best suited for mature, dry, and dry sensitive skin, whereas SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 known for fragrance-free products containing Pitera and routines tailored best for dry, acne-prone, and oily skin.

Elemis or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands offer great options, with Lovi giving Elemis a High fit level and SK-II a Superior routine fit. Reviewers often mention Elemis for its hydrating moisturizers, while every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance.

Elemis or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Elemis and SK-II offer highly rated moisturizers, with Elemis featuring hydrating options like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and SK-II offering favorites like the Facial Treatment Essence. Reviewers note that Elemis products often provide a luxurious texture, while SK-II excels in delivering a radiant glow.

Which is more affordable, Elemis or SK-II?

Both Elemis and SK-II are luxury skincare brands that feature a high price point. Reviewers note that high prices are a drawback for Elemis products.

How do Elemis and SK-II compare in terms of fragrance across their product lines?

Elemis includes fragrance in 18 of its 22 products on this page, whereas every product from SK-II lists no fragrance.

Which brand has a wider variety of products listed on the page, Elemis or SK-II?

Elemis features a wider variety of products on this page, with twenty-two options compared to SK-II's seven.

What are the key ingredients used across products in Elemis versus SK-II?

Elemis uses glycerin and shea butter as key ingredients across the products on this page, whereas SK-II uses Pitera across its products.

Elemis or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates both Elemis and SK-II as having High routine fit levels. Reviewers note that SK-II achieves better results for radiance and glow, while Elemis products on this page frequently include fragrance.

Elemis or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Elemis and SK-II are a High fit for sensitive skin according to Lovi. Elemis products on this page often feature a strong fragrance, which may sometimes cause skin irritation.

Elemis or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

SK-II is better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Elemis.

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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