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Some By Mi vs SK-II

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

Some By Mi and SK-II are distinct skincare brands founded in South Korea in 2016 and Japan in 1980, respectively. The Korean brand is known for serums, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers built around niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid, while the Japanese brand is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. Both suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best, yet they differ in their formulations, targeted concerns, and key ingredients that address issues like hyperpigmentation, aging signs, and acne lesions.

Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.

kedglobal.compreqin.comtracxn.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 Some By Mi and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Some By Mi vs SK-II products

People Say

Some By MiSK-II
  • Hydrating and Lightweight Formulations 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”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Surprisingly gentle — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
  • Gentleness and Sensitivity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “doesn't strip dry my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “didn't find this irritating — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Reduces pimples — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “cleared my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
    • “flattened my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
  • Refreshing and Soothing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Calmed my retinol burn overnight — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “nice cooling effect — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
    • “calmed my angry red skin — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
  • Product Value and Pricing Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Too expensive for 50ml — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Scents and Fragrance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Fermented smell — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
  • Overhyped and Slow Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't do much for old scars — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
    • “not noticed any significant changes — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Dryness and Dehydration Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”

Some By Mi vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Some By Mi vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Some By Mi vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Some By Mi or SK-II: which is better?

Some By Mi is better for acne-prone skin, gentleness, and dark spots, while SK-II is better for hydration and brightening. Lovi finds that Some By Mi is Superior for sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin, whereas SK-II reaches a High fit level for those skin types.

What is the difference between Some By Mi and SK-II?

Some By Mi is a South Korean brand founded in 2016 that focuses on ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 that centers around its signature Pitera ingredient. For sensitive skin, dry sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots, Lovi rates Some By Mi as Superior, whereas SK-II reaches a High fit level.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Some By Mi and SK-II achieve a superior routine fit level for dry skin. The products on this page for Some By Mi fit dry sensitive skin, dry skin, and sensitive skin best, while SK-II fits dry skin, acne-prone skin, and oily skin best.

Some By Mi or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Some By Mi and SK-II both offer strong options with equal fit levels for dry, oily, and combination skin types. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for both brands, while oily and combination skin types achieve High fit levels across the products on this page.

Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or SK-II?

Some By Mi is more affordable than SK-II, as review themes note that Some By Mi does better in product value and pricing.

Some By Mi or SK-II for dark spots?

Some By Mi is better than SK-II for dark spots because Lovi rates Some By Mi as Superior for skin with dark spots, while SK-II is rated as High. Niacinamide in Some By Mi helps brighten the complexion.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Some By Mi and SK-II fit oily skin at a High level on Lovi. Reviewers note that Some By Mi helps with acne and blemish control, while SK-II offers hydrating and lightweight formulations.

Some By Mi or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Some By Mi is the better choice for sensitive skin because Lovi rates its fit as Superior, whereas SK-II reaches a High level. Reviewers also note that Some By Mi does better with gentleness and sensitivity.

Some By Mi or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Some By Mi and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Some By Mi stands out for acne and blemish control.

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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