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BYOMA vs SK-II

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

BYOMA and SK-II are distinct skincare brands founded in Britain and Japan, respectively. The British brand is known for its moisturizers, toners, cleansers, and serums anchored by tri-ceramide and squalane, while the Japanese brand is cherished for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. Both suit dry skin best, though the former also suits dry sensitive skin and the latter suits acne-prone skin. They differ in their targeted offerings, with the British line utilizing tri-ceramide and squalane to improve skin barrier hydration and fight oxidative stress, and the Japanese line relying on pitera to actively improve pore area, roughness, and redness.

BYOMA is a British skincare brand founded in 2022 and owned by Bansk Group since 2025.

cosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular BYOMA vs SK-II products

People Say

BYOMASK-II
  • Hydration and Skin Barrier Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “helped heal my barrier — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
    • “Absorbs instantly — BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream”
    • “skin feels so hydrated — BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — BYOMA Brightening Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “silky texture that absorbs quickly — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Radiance, Glow, and Brightening 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”
    • “breakouts are nearly non existent — BYOMA Clarifying Serum”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Keeps my face soft and not oily — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
  • Gentle and Fragrance-Free Formula Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “no irritation at all — BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil”
    • “great for sensitive skin — BYOMA Balancing Face Mist”
    • “no irritation on sensitive skin — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Affordable Price and Value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “budget-friendly — BYOMA Brightening Serum”
    • “Budget-friendly skincare — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
    • “great value for money — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
    • “packet is absolutely drenched — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • High Price and Cost Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Packaging and Dispenser Issues Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Opening is huge — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
  • Unpleasant Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “has a weird chemically smell — BYOMA Milky Moisture Cleanser”
    • “smell is annoying — BYOMA Milky Oil Cleanser”
    • “smells like plastic — BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “caused cystic acne — BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner”

BYOMA vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

BYOMA vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

BYOMA vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

BYOMA or SK-II: which is better?

BYOMA is often a better choice for budget-conscious shoppers because it offers more affordable prices and value compared to SK-II. Reviewers note that BYOMA does better for hydration and skin barrier support, while Lovi rates its routines as superior for sensitive, mature, and dry sensitive skin.

What is the difference between BYOMA and SK-II?

BYOMA focuses on affordable, barrier-strengthening formulas suited best for dry, dry sensitive, and mature skin, whereas SK-II centers on luxury anti-aging and brightening powered by Pitera. Lovi rates BYOMA as Superior for sensitive skin, compared to SK-II which is rated High.

BYOMA or SK-II for dry skin?

Both BYOMA and SK-II achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin. BYOMA features a routine centered around ceramide and squalane moisturizers that help strengthen the skin barrier, while SK-II relies on Pitera-infused products like the Facial Treatment Essence.

BYOMA or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

BYOMA offers better moisturizers for dry and sensitive skin types according to Lovi fit levels, which rate the brand as Superior compared to SK-II's High rating for those concerns. Reviewers also mention that BYOMA features mostly moisturizers that strengthen the skin barrier and remain gentle and fragrance-free.

Which is more affordable, BYOMA or SK-II?

BYOMA offers better affordability than SK-II, as the products on this page provide an affordable price and value.

Between BYOMA and SK-II, which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Between BYOMA and SK-II, BYOMA is better suited for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to SK-II's High fit level. The products on this page for BYOMA help strengthen the skin barrier with key ingredients like ceramides and squalane.

Which skincare brand was founded earlier and where, BYOMA or SK-II?

SK-II was founded earlier in Japan in 1980, whereas BYOMA was founded in the United Kingdom in 2022.

What are the key ingredients used across BYOMA products compared to SK-II?

BYOMA features key ingredients such as ceramide, tri-ceramide complex, squalane, and glycerin across the products on this page. In contrast, SK-II relies on its signature key ingredient, Pitera.

BYOMA or SK-II for oily skin?

Both BYOMA and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers find that both brands deliver an equal lightweight and fast-absorbing texture across the products on this page.

BYOMA or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, BYOMA is a better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, compared to High for SK-II. The products on this page for BYOMA are mostly fragrance-free and known for gentle formulas that help strengthen the skin barrier.

BYOMA or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both BYOMA and SK-II achieve a High Lovi routine fit for acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that BYOMA provides barrier-strengthening moisturizers while SK-II leans toward radiant and smoothing results.

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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