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Elemis vs SK-II

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

Elemis and SK-II are established skincare brands offering nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, refining toners, and restorative masks. The British brand is known for formulations featuring glycerin and shea butter, while the Japanese brand centers its products around pitera. Both suit dry skin best, though the former also caters to mature skin and the latter to acne-prone skin. Ultimately, they differ in their heritage, specific ingredient profiles, and targeted solutions for dark spots and other concerns.

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

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Elemis vs SK-II products

People Say

ElemisSK-II
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Radiance and 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”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Skin Smoothing and Exfoliation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Prep Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Scent and Fragrance Experience Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “Subtle rose fragrance, spa-like scent, not overpowering. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “expensive — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Underwhelming or Slow Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “didn't see difference — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Verdict still out. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and Skin Reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”

Elemis vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Elemis vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Elemis vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Elemis or SK-II: which is better?

SK-II has Superior routine fit across all skin types on this page, while Elemis has High routine fit for most skin types.

What is the difference between Elemis and SK-II?

Elemis is a UK-based brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 and owned by Procter & Gamble. The products on this page show that Elemis heavily features fragrance and key ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, whereas SK-II products are entirely fragrance-free and centre around Pitera. Reviewers note that Elemis has a higher price point and occasional strong fragrances, while SK-II performs better for radiance and glow.

Elemis or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, Elemis fits best with a High routine rating, and SK-II fits best with a Superior routine rating. Reviewers mostly mention that Elemis offers hydrating moisturizers, whereas every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance.

Elemis or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Elemis and SK-II offer popular moisturizers, with Elemis featuring hydrating and luxurious options like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream while SK-II relies on Pitera in products like the Facial Treatment Essence. Reviewers mention that Elemis products often provide a radiant glow and smoother texture, but they may sometimes cause skin irritation due to added fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Elemis or SK-II?

Elemis has a high price point compared to SK-II on this page. Reviewers frequently note the high price of Elemis products.

Which brand has fragrances in its products, Elemis or SK-II?

Elemis includes fragrance in the majority of the products on this page, whereas every product from SK-II lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Elemis or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, SK-II is a better fit with a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Elemis has an Average fit level. Every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance, while many Elemis products contain fragrance.

Elemis or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Elemis and SK-II are good options for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both brands as having a High routine fit for this skin type.

Elemis or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Elemis and SK-II are good options for acne-prone skin, with SK-II achieving a Superior routine fit and Elemis achieving a High routine fit on this page. Reviewers report that both brands are equal when it comes to breakouts and skin reactions.

Elemis or SK-II for mature skin?

Both Elemis and SK-II are great options for mature skin, with Lovi fit levels rated as High. SK-II also performs better for radiance and glow on the products on this page.

Elemis or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, Lovi gives Elemis a High fit level and SK-II a Superior fit level across the products on this page. Elemis features key ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, while SK-II relies on 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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