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Medik8 vs Elemis

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

Medik8 and Elemis are esteemed British skincare brands offering serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more. Medik8, founded in 2009, is built around hyaluronic acid and suits dry skin and sensitive skin best, while Elemis, founded in 1989, is anchored by glycerin and shea and suits mature skin and dry skin best. The brands differ primarily in their core formulations and target benefits, with the former utilizing hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle effect duration and the latter employing glycerin and shea to significantly increase hydration, improve barrier function, reduce inflammation, and relieve skin pruritus.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

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

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Elemis products

People Say

Medik8Elemis
  • Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and elegant texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Skin plumping and smoothing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “skin feels baby-soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Brightening and glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “instantly fresh glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Pleasant experience and scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • High price point Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Slow or underwhelming results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
  • Packaging issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Elemis: which is better?

Medik8 is generally better for sensitive skin because its formulas are designed to be gentle and non-irritating. Elemis is a strong alternative that may provide a more luxurious sensory experience, although it is more likely to feature strong fragrances across its range on this page.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Elemis?

Medik8 stands out for its gentle, fragrance-conscious approach and higher fit levels across most skin types, whereas Elemis is favored for its luxurious, heavily fragranced textures and strong focus on mature and dry skin.

Medik8 or Elemis for dry skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis, which has a High fit on this page. Medik8 features fragrance-free options like Hydr8 B5 Intense, whereas many Elemis products contain fragrance that may cause irritation.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Medik8 is better for cleansing because its Surface Radiance Cleanse achieves a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin on this page, while Elemis cleansers are generally rated High or Average for those concerns.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Elemis?

Medik8 tends to have a lower price point compared to Elemis, as high pricing is more frequently mentioned as a drawback for Medik8 while it is a major reviewer concern for Elemis.

Medik8 or Elemis: which eye product is better?

Both brands offer solid eye care options on this page, but Medik8's Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3 helps target mature skin and dark spots at a High Lovi fit level. Elemis also features well-liked products like the Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment, which is rated High for sensitive skin.

Medik8 or Elemis: which brand has fewer fragrance concerns?

Medik8 has fewer fragrance concerns, as 11 of the 12 products on this page list no fragrance. In contrast, Elemis has more fragrance listings across the products on this page.

Medik8 or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Medik8 and Elemis have a High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide good options for this skin type without being overly heavy.

Medik8 or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 stands out for moisturizers with gentle, fragrance-free formulas, while Elemis offers deeply hydrating and luxurious options that may contain fragrance. Both brands feature high or superior Lovi fit levels for dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is better suited for sensitive skin, as its routine fit is rated as Superior compared to Elemis at High. Reviewers note that Medik8 formulas are gentle and non-irritating, and 11 of the 12 products on this page list no fragrance.

Medik8 or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for acne-prone skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis at a High fit level. The products on this page for Medik8 are mostly described as gentle and non-irritating serums.

Medik8 or Elemis for mature skin?

Both Medik8 and Elemis fit mature skin well, with high Lovi fit levels across their range of products on this page. Elemis is often noted for its hydrating moisturizers and skin-smoothing properties, while Medik8 offers gentle, non-irritating serums that help improve skin texture.

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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