🇮🇪Ireland

SK-II vs Allies of Skin

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

SK-II and Allies of Skin are two distinct skincare lines designed to address various complexion needs. The Japanese brand founded in 1980 is cherished across the globe for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera, while Allies of Skin is deeply loved for a thoughtful range of moisturizers, serums, and eye products built around niacinamide. The former suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best, featuring formulations like the Genoptics Ultraura Essence for acne-prone skin, the Facial Treatment Essence for dark spots, and the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion for mature skin, whereas the latter suits dry skin and mature skin best with solutions like the Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist for acne-prone skin, the Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment for dark spots, and the Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream for mature skin. Ultimately, they differ because the former improves pore area, roughness, and redness, while the latter works to improve skin aging signs and decrease hyperpigmentation.

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

Popular SK-II vs Allies of Skin products

People Say

SK-IIAllies of Skin
  • Improves skin texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “sinks easily into damp skin — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “Woke up looking well-rested — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
  • Hydration and balancing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “nourished and hydrated — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
    • “more like a spray serum — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedOften 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”
    • “gives skin an instant dewy glow — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
  • Lightweight and gentle absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Best retinol for sensitive skin — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
    • “feels super soothing, doesn't trigger redness — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “preps skin for better absorption — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Calming redness and acne Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Redness is less noticeable — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “Dramatic impact on acne — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
    • “reduces appearance of redness — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
  • Visible anti-aging and firming Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “fix the fine lines — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
    • “Tightened the skin in just a few uses — Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • High price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Pricey — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “price definitely hurts — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
  • Breakouts, purging, and skin reactions Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “didn't like how sticky face feels — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
    • “Slightly irritating... when I first started — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
  • Lack of results or effectiveness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “still not impressed with the results — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “Have not noticed improved skin quality yet — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “Nothing significant — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent and fragrance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Distinct rancid smell — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “gives a weird fermented stench — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “makes me cough during application — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

SK-II vs Allies of Skin routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

SK-II vs Allies of Skin routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

SK-II vs Allies of Skin routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

SK-II or Allies of Skin: which is better?

Allies of Skin is a better fit overall, offering superior routines for oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, mature, dark spot, and dry sensitive skin on this page, while both brands match equally for dry skin.

What is the difference between SK-II and Allies of Skin?

Both brands offer fragrance-free products on this page, but Allies of Skin focuses on niacinamide and achieves superior Lovi fit levels for oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, mature, dark spot, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin types. SK-II centers its range around Pitera, offering a routine fit that is equal for dry skin but lower for several other skin types.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

SK-II or Allies of Skin for dry skin?

Both SK-II and Allies of Skin are a Superior fit for dry skin on this page. Reviewers note that Allies of Skin provides gentle, effective moisturizers, while SK-II features key ingredients like Pitera across its products on this page.

SK-II or Allies of Skin: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, both SK-II and Allies of Skin offer effective options with fragrance-free formulas, but Allies of Skin provides products on this page with superior fit levels for a wider range of skin types.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Allies of Skin?

Reviewers mention a high price point for both brands on this page.

Which brand has better results for radiance and glow, SK-II or Allies of Skin?

SK-II does better for radiance and glow among the products on this page, while Allies of Skin is noted for visible anti-aging and firming.

SK-II or Allies of Skin for oily skin?

For oily skin, Allies of Skin is a better fit with a Superior routine fit compared to SK-II which has a High fit level. Allies of Skin relies on key ingredients like Niacinamide, which helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

SK-II or Allies of Skin for sensitive skin?

Both brands are a great match for sensitive skin, with Lovi rating SK-II High and Allies of Skin Superior for this skin type.

SK-II or Allies of Skin for acne-prone skin?

Both SK-II and Allies of Skin are great options, as Lovi rates both brands as having a High fit for acne-prone skin. Allies of Skin stands out for calming redness and acne.

SK-II or Allies of Skin for mature skin?

For mature skin, both brands work well, with Lovi giving SK-II a High fit and Allies of Skin a Superior fit. Allies of Skin products on this page feature key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

SK-II or Allies of Skin for skin with dark spots?

Both SK-II and Allies of Skin fit skin with dark spots at a High level on Lovi. Allies of Skin relies on Niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play