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SK-II vs Taro

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

SK-II and Taro are two distinctive skincare brands celebrated for their thoughtfully formulated offerings. The former is a Japanese line cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera, while the latter is warmly embraced for targeted serums and carefully crafted formulas. Both suit dry skin best, though the first also caters well to acne-prone skin and the second accommodates combination and sensitive skin. They differ primarily in their standout solutions, with the initial brand featuring items like the Genoptics Ultraura Essence, Facial Treatment Essence, and Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, and the alternative offering the Tretinoin Cream.

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

Popular SK-II vs Taro products

Questions and answers

SK-II or Taro: which is better?

SK-II is a better fit for dry and sensitive skin types, where Lovi rates its products like Genoptics Ultraura Essence as High. Meanwhile, Taro features Tretinoin Cream, which helps with acne-prone and combination skin but rates Low for dry, sensitive skin.

The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993

What is the difference between SK-II and Taro?

SK-II offers seven products on this page that focus on dry, acne-prone, and oily skin with high Lovi fit levels, while Taro provides only Tretinoin Cream. Tretinoin helps restore collagen in photodamaged human skin.

The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Taro?

Neither SK-II nor Taro lists pricing or affordability details on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or Taro?

SK-II helps acne-prone skin with High or Superior Lovi fit levels across multiple products on this page, whereas Taro's Tretinoin Cream has a High fit level for acne-prone skin. Tretinoin helps restore collagen formation in photodamaged human skin.

The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993

Which brand was founded earlier, SK-II or Taro?

Taro was founded earlier, in 1950, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980.

Do any products from either SK-II or Taro contain fragrance?

Every product on this page from both SK-II and Taro lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

What is the key ingredient used across SK-II products?

The key ingredient across the products on this page for SK-II is Pitera.

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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