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Good Molecules vs SK-II

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

Good Molecules and SK-II are distinct skincare brands founded in America and Japan, respectively. The American brand is cherished for its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, revitalizing eye products, and gentle exfoliants formulated with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while the Japanese brand is anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera, in luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks. Both choices suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best, yet they differ through their specific formulations, ingredient actions, and overall approaches to balanced care.

Good Molecules is an American skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc..

beautymatter.comgoodmolecules.compitchbook.compreqin.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 Good Molecules and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Good Molecules vs SK-II products

People Say

Good MoleculesSK-II
  • Texture and Consistency Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “practically invisible on skin — Good Molecules PIMPLE PATCHES”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Advanced Performance and Extras Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “scar on your chin doesn't look nearly as noticeable — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Value and Pricing Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “best value for money — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “great value — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
  • Brightening and Radiance 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”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner”
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “skin appears smooth and supple — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Care Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “Non-abrasive, suitable for sensitive skin, no stinging — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
    • “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying — Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • High Price and Cost Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow or Ineffective Results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't really see a difference — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “dried my skin out — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Scent and Fragrance Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Strong bergamot smell — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “weird faint smell — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “smelled of glycolic acid — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Good Molecules or SK-II: which is better?

Good Molecules offers better value and gentle care, while SK-II delivers superior brightening, radiance, hydration, and plumping. Overall, Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Good Molecules achieves a Superior routine fit for all other skin types compared to SK-II's High fit.

What is the difference between Good Molecules and SK-II?

Good Molecules and SK-II differ in their company backgrounds and key ingredient focuses, with Good Molecules founded in the United States in 2019 using ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980 and centers its products on Pitera. Reviewers note that Good Molecules offers better value and pricing along with gentle sensitive care, whereas SK-II delivers stronger performance in hydration, plumping, brightening, radiance, and advanced extras. Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin, but Good Molecules also achieves a Superior routine fit across oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, mature, dark spot, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin types.

Good Molecules or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Good Molecules and SK-II achieve a Superior fit level on Lovi for dry skin, offering great options for hydration.

Good Molecules or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Good Molecules offers affordable and hydrating moisturizers that are mostly mentioned as a great value, while SK-II provides advanced performance with key ingredients like Pitera for hydration and plumping. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for both brands.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Good Molecules or SK-II?

Good Molecules is more affordable, as reviewers mention it offers affordable and great value serums and moisturizers.

How do Good Molecules and SK-II compare in terms of brightening and radiance?

In terms of brightening and radiance, SK-II does better than Good Molecules. The products on this page help provide advanced performance and better brightening and radiance effects.

Which brand performs better for gentle and sensitive care, Good Molecules or SK-II?

Good Molecules performs better for gentle and sensitive care compared to SK-II. Review themes on this page show that Good Molecules does better for gentle and sensitive care, while the products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

What are the key ingredients featured across Good Molecules and SK-II products?

Good Molecules features glycerin and hyaluronic acid as its key ingredients across the products on this page, while SK-II features Pitera.

Good Molecules or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Good Molecules has a Superior routine fit while SK-II has a High routine fit. Reviewers mention that Good Molecules is better for value and pricing, whereas SK-II does better for hydration and plumping.

Good Molecules or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Good Molecules is a better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior while SK-II's routine is rated as High.

Good Molecules or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Good Molecules is a better choice as Lovi rates it as Superior, while SK-II is rated as High.

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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