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Medik8 vs Galderma

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

Medik8 and Galderma are skincare brands with distinct formulations designed for varying complexions. The British brand features serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, whereas the Swiss brand focuses exclusively on specialized serums. Medik8 suits dry and sensitive skin best, while both offer targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature concerns.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

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 Medik8 and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Galderma products

People Say

Medik8Galderma
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Acne Clearing and Prevention Rarely 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”
    • “cleared my hormonal acne — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • Gentleness and Non-Irritation 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”
    • “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “Plumps skin with moisture — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
    • “immediate glow — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • Dryness and Peeling Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “slightly drying — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “need a thick moisturizer — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “Made my face very dry and tight — Medik8 Press & Glow”
    • “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Severe Irritation and Burning Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Color Transfer and Fabric Bleaching Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “stained my white pillowcase — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • High Price Point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Initial Purging Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”

Medik8 vs Galderma serums and treatments

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Galderma: which is better?

Medik8 stands out as better for texture, hydration, and gentleness, whereas Galderma is more effective for acne clearing and prevention. The products on this page help improve skin quality with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medik8 and Galderma?

Medik8 stands out for gentleness and deep hydration with products like Hydr8 B5 Intense, whereas Galderma is known for effective acne-clearing serums that may cause dryness and peeling. Reviewers find that the products on this page by Medik8 provide a luxurious texture, while Galderma focuses strictly on targeted acne treatments.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Galderma?

Galderma is more affordable, as the products on this page for Medik8 are noted by reviewers for having a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Medik8 or Galderma?

Galderma does better for acne clearing and prevention than Medik8. Reviewers mostly mention its serums as effective for clearing acne.

How do Medik8 and Galderma compare in terms of fragrance use across their product lines?

Medik8 uses fragrance in only one product on this page, the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream, while the rest are fragrance-free. Galderma lists no fragrance across any of the products on this page.

Which brand has been around longer and where was it founded, Medik8 or Galderma?

Galderma has been around longer, having been founded in Switzerland in 1981, whereas Medik8 was founded in the United Kingdom in 2009.

What specific skin types does Medik8 fit best according to its brand-focused routines?

According to its brand-focused routines, Medik8 fits dry skin, sensitive skin, and dry sensitive skin best.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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