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celimax vs SK-II

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

celimax and SK-II are established skincare brands offering targeted serums, moisturizers, toners, and masks. The Korean brand, founded in 2019, features carefully selected ingredients that suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best with gentle compositions. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand, founded in 1980, is known worldwide for luxury formulations anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera, which suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. While both lines provide reliable results for daily routines through standout options addressing dark spots and mature skin, they differ in their foundational ingredients and regional origins.

celimax is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by ABSORBLAB Co., Ltd..

celimax.comcelimax.us

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

Popular celimax vs SK-II products

People Say

celimaxSK-II
  • Hydration & Glow 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”
    • “gives a very beautiful glow to your skin — celimax Noni Ampoule”
  • Lightweight Texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky texture that absorbs quickly — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “absorbs incredibly fast — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum”
  • Skin Texture & Smoothing Often MentionedOften 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”
    • “glass-like smoothness — celimax RETINAL SHOT”
  • Deep Hydration Sometimes NotedOften 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 stays soft throughout the day — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
  • Gentle & Non-Irritating Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “cleans deeply without stripping — celimax Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser”
    • “Doesn't irritate — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
    • “zero irritation or sensitivity — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Soothing & Calming Often MentionedNot noted
    • “calms my face redness upon application — celimax Noni Ampoule”
    • “Calms irritation — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
    • “No stinging on my hypersensitive skin — celimax Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream”
  • Price vs. Value Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for only 150ml — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of Results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “results take time — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum”
    • “didn't see major changes — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Pad”
    • “didn't notice a difference — celimax Noni Ampoule”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smell is herbaceous... giving me a headache — celimax Noni Ampoule”
    • “Faint rubber scent — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
    • “medicinal smell — celimax Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

celimax vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

celimax vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

celimax vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

celimax or SK-II: which is better?

SK-II stands out as the better option because it generally delivers superior routine fits across most skin types and excels in hydration, glow, and smoothing effects. Meanwhile, celimax may be preferred by shoppers looking for gentle, soothing care, though it often trails in value and overall performance.

What is the difference between celimax and SK-II?

SK-II generally achieves a Superior Lovi routine fit across most skin types, whereas celimax offers a High fit for many of the same concerns while being noted for being gentle and soothing. SK-II features key ingredients like Pitera and excels in hydration and smoothing, while celimax focuses on fragrance-free options suited for sensitive skin.

celimax or SK-II for dry skin?

SK-II fits dry skin better than celimax, with Lovi rating SK-II Superior and celimax Average. Reviewers also favor SK-II for hydration and glow.

celimax or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II helps provide superior hydration and smoothing benefits for moisturizers, whereas celimax focuses more on soothing and calming the skin.

Which is more affordable, celimax or SK-II?

Reviews note that celimax struggles with price versus value, suggesting it may be less affordable despite generally lower baseline pricing compared to the luxury brand SK-II.

Between celimax and SK-II, which brand performs better for mature skin according to the routine fits?

Both celimax and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for mature skin on Lovi, though SK-II ranks better for hydration, glow, and lightweight texture. celimax focuses its routines on soothing and calming benefits for sensitive and mature skin.

Do any products from celimax or SK-II contain fragrance in their ingredients?

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

Which brand was founded earlier: celimax or SK-II?

SK-II was founded earlier in 1980 in Japan, whereas celimax was founded later in 2019 in South Korea.

celimax or SK-II for oily skin?

SK-II fits oily skin better than celimax, as Lovi rates SK-II Superior for oily skin while celimax is High. SK-II also performs better in review themes like lightweight texture and hydration.

celimax or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both celimax and SK-II are good options for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both brands as having a High routine fit for this skin type. Reviewers note that celimax tends to do better for gentle, non-irritating care and soothing and calming.

celimax or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both celimax and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit for acne-prone skin, with the products on this page helping to soothe and balance blemish-prone areas.

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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