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Dermalogica vs Medik8

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

Dermalogica and Medik8 are established skincare brands offering serums, moisturizers, and more, formulated with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Dermalogica features targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, purifying masks, and salicylic acid, suiting oily skin and combination skin best. Conversely, Medik8 builds its products around hyaluronic acid, suiting dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. While both brands utilize hyaluronic acid to lengthen toxin wrinkle effect duration, they differ in their product types, active formulations, and skin type suitability.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

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

Popular Dermalogica vs Medik8 products

People Say

DermalogicaMedik8
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Gentle and soothing on skin Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
  • Skin smoothing and texture improvement Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Brightening and complexion radiance Sometimes NotedOften 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”
    • “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Makeup compatibility and longevity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Removes stubborn mascara — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “SPF 50 works — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “doesn't clog pores — Dermalogica Active Moist”
    • “layers well under sunscreen — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • High price and cost concerns Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Skin irritation and adverse reactions Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “stinging sensation — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
    • “made me break out constantly — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “caused breakouts — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
  • Drying or slow results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “A bit drying — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “Didn't clear most blackheads — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “really did not see the lifting on the eyelids — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
  • Packaging and design issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Leaky pump — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “pump dispenses too much — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “hard to get last bit — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”

Dermalogica vs Medik8 routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Dermalogica vs Medik8 routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Dermalogica vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or Medik8: which is better?

Medik8 is generally better for gentle, soothing care and anti-aging routines, achieving a Superior routine fit for mature skin, dry skin, and sensitive skin. Dermalogica is better for oily and combination skin types, offering a Superior routine fit for those areas with a high price point across both brands.

What is the difference between Dermalogica and Medik8?

Dermalogica is an American brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever, whereas Medik8 is a British brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oreal Groupe. Reviewers note that the products on this page for Dermalogica excel in deep hydration and moisturization, while Medik8 does better in gentle and soothing care, skin smoothing, and brightening radiance.

Dermalogica or Medik8 for dry skin?

Medik8 is the better choice for dry skin, as the routine fit for dry skin is Medik8 Superior compared to Dermalogica High. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration and plumping for skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dermalogica or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse achieves a Superior Lovi fit for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots, whereas Dermalogica cleansers such as Daily Glycolic Cleanser and Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash reach a Superior level specifically for oily acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or Medik8?

Both brands are noted for a high price point among reviewers, so neither is a clearly more affordable option based on the products on this page.

Which brand has a better routine fit for dry sensitive skin?

Medik8 provides a better routine fit for dry sensitive skin, achieving a Superior rating compared to Dermalogica's High. The products on this page for Medik8 are well-suited for dry skin and dry sensitive skin.

Do Dermalogica and Medik8 products contain fragrance?

Every Dermalogica product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. For Medik8, 11 of the 12 products on this page list no fragrance, while the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream contains fragrance.

Dermalogica or Medik8 for oily skin?

Dermalogica is the better fit for oily skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Medik8's High level. The products on this page help provide effective care for oily skin types through targeted options like Daily Microfoliant and Retinol Clearing Oil.

Dermalogica or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 is better for dry skin with a Superior Lovi fit level for its Hydr8 B5 Intense moisturizer compared to Dermalogica's High fit level, while the products on this page for both brands feature hyaluronic acid to help improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Dermalogica or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Dermalogica's High fit.

Dermalogica or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

Both Dermalogica and Medik8 fit acne-prone skin well, as the products on this page for both brands achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type.

Dermalogica or Medik8 for mature skin?

Medik8 is a superior fit for mature skin, whereas Dermalogica has a high fit level for this skin type. Medik8 products often provide deep hydration and plumping, while Dermalogica is best for oily, combination, and mature skin types with intense hydration and soothing moisturizers.

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

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