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Dermalogica vs SK-II

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

Dermalogica and SK-II are renowned skincare brands offering targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, purifying masks, clarifying toners, and restorative treatments. The American brand, founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015, relies on key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid to suit dry skin and oily skin best. Conversely, the Japanese brand, established in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991, anchors its luxurious formulations in its signature ingredient, pitera, to suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. While both brands address specific concerns through standout products like cleansers, essences, and eye creams, they differ in their foundational philosophies and active components.

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

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

Popular Dermalogica vs SK-II products

People Say

DermalogicaSK-II
  • Brightening and radiance 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”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
  • Gentle exfoliation and texture improvement Sometimes NotedOften 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”
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Customizable or luxurious texture and application Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “silky texture that absorbs quickly — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “packet is absolutely drenched — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Pump dispenser is convenient. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Fizzing formula is cool — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
  • Soothing, calming, and gentle on sensitive skin Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
    • “Calms redness — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • High price point and value Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Very expensive — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smells like medicine — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Drying sensation or limited effectiveness Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “A bit drying — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “Didn't clear most blackheads — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Dermalogica vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Dermalogica vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Dermalogica vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or SK-II: which is better?

Both Dermalogica and SK-II achieve a Superior routine fit for dry, oily, combination, and mature skin, making them both strong choices depending on your specific skin priorities. Dermalogica focuses on intense hydration and soothing care using ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which helps maintain moisture. Meanwhile, SK-II emphasizes brightening and lightweight absorption.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Dermalogica and SK-II?

Dermalogica focuses on deep hydration and soothing sensitive skin, while SK-II excels in brightening, lightweight absorption, and gentle exfoliation. Dermalogica fits dry, oily, and combination skin best, whereas SK-II targets dry, acne-prone, and combination skin.

Dermalogica or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Dermalogica and SK-II provide a Superior routine fit level for dry skin. Reviewers note that Dermalogica helps with intense hydration while SK-II offers lightweight and non-greasy absorption.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dermalogica or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Dermalogica and SK-II offer exceptional moisturizers, with Dermalogica standing out for deep hydration while SK-II focuses on lightweight absorption. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or SK-II?

Reviewers note that Dermalogica has a high price point, but the page facts do not provide a direct price comparison between Dermalogica and SK-II.

Dermalogica or SK-II for brightening and radiance?

SK-II does better than Dermalogica for brightening and radiance.

Dermalogica or SK-II for deep hydration and moisturization?

For deep hydration and moisturization, Dermalogica does better than SK-II. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dermalogica or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Dermalogica and SK-II achieve a Superior routine fit level for oily skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page for Dermalogica provide intense hydration, while SK-II offers lightweight and non-greasy absorption.

Dermalogica or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, SK-II achieves a Superior Lovi fit, while Dermalogica reaches a High fit level.

Dermalogica or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II achieves a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Dermalogica reaches a High Lovi fit level.

Dermalogica or SK-II for mature skin?

Both Dermalogica and SK-II provide a Superior routine fit level for mature skin, with SK-II doing better for brightening and radiance as well as lightweight and non-greasy absorption. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin 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

How does it fit your skin?

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