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SK-II vs Grown Alchemist

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

SK-II and Grown Alchemist are esteemed skincare brands cherished for their distinct botanical and biotechnological approaches. SK-II offers luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera, while the other is loved for its cleansers and serums, as well as its formulas. The former suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best, whereas the latter suits sensitive, dry, and combination skin best. They differ primarily in their ingredient philosophies and targeted solutions for specific skin concerns.

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 Grown Alchemist products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular SK-II vs Grown Alchemist products

People Say

SK-IIGrown Alchemist
  • 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”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “silkiest cleanser — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • Balances and hydrates Mostly MentionedOften 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 version of chugging water — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Effective cleansing and makeup removal Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Doesn't dry out my skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “Gets everything nice and clean — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “doesn't strip at all — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Gentle formula Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Perfect for sensitive skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “calms my skin down — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Pleasant scent Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Smells amazing — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “smell is divine — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “Subtle rose fragrance, spa-like scent, not overpowering. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High price point Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for what it is — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “A bit pricey — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant or strong scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Too perfumy notes — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “smells medicinal — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • Lack of results Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Nothing to brag about — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Not for makeup Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Isn't going to be your makeup remover — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”

Questions and answers

SK-II or Grown Alchemist: which is better?

SK-II does better than Grown Alchemist for improving skin texture, balancing hydration, and adding radiance, while the products on this page for Grown Alchemist are noted for gentle and pleasant cleansers. SK-II fits dry, acne-prone, and oily skin best, with Lovi fit levels reaching High or Superior across many of its items.

What is the difference between SK-II and Grown Alchemist?

SK-II tends to fit dry, acne-prone, and oily skin best with products featuring Pitera, while Grown Alchemist offers hydrating and gentle cleansers. Reviewers note that SK-II excels at improving skin texture, balance, hydration, and radiance, whereas Grown Alchemist is praised for effective cleansing yet faces mentions of high prices and lack of results.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist is noted for having a high price point among the products on this page, while SK-II is not described as such. Both brands do not mention affordability details beyond this review theme.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or Grown Alchemist?

SK-II is a better fit for acne-prone skin than Grown Alchemist, as products on this page like Genoptics Ultraura Essence achieve a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin. Grown Alchemist products on this page generally achieve an Average fit for acne-prone skin.

Which brand has products that are better for improving skin texture and radiance?

SK-II does better than Grown Alchemist for improving skin texture, radiance, and glow based on the review themes on this page. Lovi rates SK-II's products with High to Superior fits for improving skin texture and radiance across multiple skin types.

Do any of the products from SK-II or Grown Alchemist contain added fragrance?

None of the products on this page from SK-II or Grown Alchemist contain added fragrance, as every product lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

What are the main criticisms or negative review themes reported for Grown Alchemist products?

Reviewers frequently note a high price point and a lack of results for Grown Alchemist products on this page. Shoppers also report cleanser performance and packaging issues.

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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