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Medik8 vs Hada Labo

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

Medik8 and Hada Labo are distinct skincare options, with the British brand founded in 2009 and the Japanese brand established in 2004. Medik8 is known for serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, while Hada Labo is deeply loved for its hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers, all driven by the advanced science of its formulas. Both suits dry skin best, though the first fits sensitive skin best and the second suits acne-prone skin best. They differ because the first brand uses hyaluronic acid to lengthen toxin wrinkle effect duration, whereas the second brand relies on thoughtful formulation where ingredients work harmoniously to deliver essential hydration and support a healthy skin barrier.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular Medik8 vs Hada Labo products

People Say

Medik8Hada Labo
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “leaves skin soft and hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Lightweight and elegant texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “Thick serum-like — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • 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”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “smoother skin texture — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
    • “Makes my skin plump and hydrating. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
  • Fades dark spots Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Can feel sticky if over-applied — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • High price point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Slow or patience-requiring results Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “Subtle initial changes — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “takes months to see results — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”

Medik8 vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Medik8 vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Medik8 vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Hada Labo: which is better?

Both Medik8 and Hada Labo are great options, as both achieve a Superior routine fit for dry, combination, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin types. Hada Labo provides a Superior routine fit for oily skin, mature skin, and skin with dark spots, while Medik8 offers a High routine fit for those categories.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Hada Labo?

Medik8 is a UK brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oreal Groupe since 2025, offering products on this page with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, whereas Hada Labo is a Japanese brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.. Both brands feature hyaluronic acid across their products, but Medik8 focuses best on dry and sensitive skin types while Hada Labo leans toward dry, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both Medik8 and Hada Labo are a Superior fit for dry skin. Reviewers often mention deep hydration and moisturization for Hada Labo, while Medik8 features products like Bakuchiol Peptides and Press & Glow that help with dry skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Both Medik8 and Hada Labo offer moisturizers, such as Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream and Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel, but they serve different skin needs. Medik8 provides High fit levels for dry and sensitive skin, while Hada Labo achieves High fit levels specifically for dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Molecules, 2015

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is more affordable, as reviewers often mention Medik8 has a high price point while noting Hada Labo for its value and versatility.

Medik8 or Hada Labo for fading dark spots?

Hada Labo is better for fading dark spots as reviewers note it does better in this category, while the products on this page for Medik8 achieve a High fit level for skin with dark spots. Both brands feature hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Hada Labo: which has a sticky finish?

Medik8 is noted by reviewers for having a sticky or tacky finish, whereas Hada Labo is not associated with this issue on this page.

Medik8 or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Hada Labo achieves a Superior routine fit, whereas Medik8 reaches a High fit level. Both brands feature hyaluronic acid across their products on this page to help provide hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands offer a Superior routine fit on Lovi. Medik8 products on this page help deliver brightening and smoothing effects, while Hada Labo provides deep hydration and moisturization with gentle, fragrance-free formulations.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Hada Labo for mature skin?

For mature skin, Hada Labo achieves a Superior routine fit level while Medik8 reaches a High fit level. Both brands feature hyaluronic acid across their products on this page to help support skin hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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