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Medik8 vs Elemis

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

Medik8 and Elemis are British skincare brands known for creating curated formulations that span serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more. Medik8 relies on hyaluronic acid and suits dry and sensitive skin best, while Elemis weaves together glycerin and shea to serve dry and mature skin. The two differ in their founding years, corporate ownership, and specific hero ingredients, yet both offer targeted solutions for acne, dark spots, and aging.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.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 Medik8 and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Elemis products

People Say

Medik8Elemis
  • Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and elegant texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Skin plumping and smoothing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “skin feels baby-soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Brightening and glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “instantly fresh glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Pleasant experience and scent Sometimes 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”
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • High price point Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Slow or underwhelming results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
  • Packaging issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Elemis: which is better?

Medik8 is better for sensitive and dry skin, offering superior routine fit and gentleness, while Elemis excels in providing lightweight textures and smoothing effects. Both brands deliver deep hydration and a radiant glow, though Medik8 has a lower price point and Elemis features a wider range of scented formulas.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Elemis?

Medik8 is generally better for a gentle and non-irritating formula, while Elemis stands out for lightweight and elegant texture and skin plumping and smoothing.

Medik8 or Elemis for dry skin?

Medik8 is better for dry skin, as the routine fit on this page is rated as Superior compared to Elemis which is High. Medik8 also features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help deliver deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Medik8 is better for cleansing as Surface Radiance Cleanse achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Elemis cleansers reach only High fits for those same concerns.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Elemis?

Medik8 is the more affordable brand on this page, as high price points are noted less frequently for its products compared to Elemis.

Medik8 or Elemis: which has better fragrance options?

Medik8 is the better choice for fragrance options because 11 of the 12 products on this page list no fragrance, helping reduce the risk of irritation. In contrast, Elemis includes fragrance in 18 of its 22 products on this page.

Medik8 or Elemis: which brand offers superior results for dry sensitive skin?

Medik8 is the better choice for dry sensitive skin, offering a superior routine fit compared to Elemis. Medik8 features gentle, non-irritating formulas with products like Bakuchiol Peptides and Hydr8 B5 Intense that help provide deep hydration and soothing care.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Medik8 or Elemis: which provides a more pleasant scent and experience?

Elemis provides a more pleasant experience and scent. Reviewers note its luxurious textures and pleasant aromas, whereas Medik8 focuses more on gentle, non-irritating formulas.

Medik8 or Elemis for oily skin?

Medik8 is the better choice for oily skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Elemis at Average. Its formulations help support oil-prone skin types with gentle, non-irritating options.

Medik8 or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 is the better choice for hydration with products like Hydr8 B5 Intense, which helps dry skin reach a Superior Lovi fit level. Elemis also offers nourishing options like Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, though Medik8 provides a gentler formula overall.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is better suited for sensitive skin, achieving a Lovi fit level of Superior compared to Elemis at High. Medik8's products on this page are mostly formulated without fragrance, helping minimize potential irritation.

Medik8 or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Medik8 and Elemis fit acne-prone skin well, offering high routine fit levels. Medik8 products on this page help provide gentle and non-irritating care, while Elemis options often feature lightweight textures.

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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