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Dermalogica vs Elemis

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

Dermalogica and Elemis are established skincare names, originating respectively in America in 1986 and Britain in 1989. The former is known for targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks using hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, while the latter is celebrated for serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners that weave together glycerin and shea. Both brands suit dry skin best, though Dermalogica is also ideal for oily skin and Elemis for mature skin. They differ primarily in their core ingredient profiles and specific product offerings, with the American brand emphasizing blemish and barrier concerns through items like Daily Microfoliant and Precleanse, and the British brand focusing on advanced anti-aging and restorative care through icons like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Dermalogica and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Dermalogica vs Elemis products

People Say

DermalogicaElemis
  • Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Effective Cleansing and Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes stubborn mascara — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Benefits Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “eyelids look firmer and lifted — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
    • “fine lines have visibly softened — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
    • “My neck doesn't sag... plumps my skin to look more youthful. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “less lines and ripples — Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment”
  • Pleasant Spa Scent Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Skin Irritation and Reactions Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Too thick for day — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Unpleasant or Strong Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smells like medicine — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”

Dermalogica vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Dermalogica vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Dermalogica vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or Elemis: which is better?

Dermalogica is the better fit for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, and mature skin, where Lovi rates its routines as Superior, whereas Elemis routines are High. For sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, dry sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin, both brands offer an equal routine fit.

What is the difference between Dermalogica and Elemis?

Dermalogica is an American brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever, while Elemis is a British brand founded in 1989 and owned by the L'Occitane Group. For routine fit, Dermalogica is Superior for dry, oily, and combination skin, whereas Elemis has a High fit for dry and combination skin and an Average fit for oily skin. Additionally, every product on the Dermalogica page lists no fragrance, while the majority of products on the Elemis page contain added fragrance.

Dermalogica or Elemis for dry skin?

Dermalogica is a better fit for dry skin than Elemis because Dermalogica has a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Elemis having a High routine fit. Additionally, every Dermalogica product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance.

Dermalogica or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis offer effective cleansers, with Dermalogica featuring a range where every product lists no fragrance, while Elemis includes fragranced options like the Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash.

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or Elemis?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis feature a high price point as a commonly noted drawback by reviewers.

Which brand has more products with no fragrance?

Dermalogica has more products with no fragrance, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas only 4 of the 22 products on the Elemis page do.

Dermalogica or Elemis for oily skin?

Dermalogica is the better choice for oily skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis, which has an Average fit.

Dermalogica or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, Dermalogica fits dry skin with a Superior routine rating and features options like Circular Hydration Serum. Elemis also provides hydrating moisturizers like Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, though most of its page products include fragrance while Dermalogica lists no fragrance across the products on this page.

Dermalogica or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis have a High fit for sensitive skin. Dermalogica features fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page, whereas Elemis includes fragrance in several items.

Dermalogica or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis fit acne-prone skin well at a High level. Dermalogica features key ingredients like salicylic acid and has a routine fit rated High for this skin type across the products on this page.

Dermalogica or Elemis for mature skin?

Dermalogica is the better fit for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis's High fit. Every product on the Dermalogica page lists no fragrance, which helps reduce the likelihood of skin irritation for mature users.

Dermalogica or Elemis for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, both Dermalogica and Elemis fit well, but Dermalogica provides a superior routine fit compared to Elemis. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

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