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Medik8 vs Hada Labo

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

Medik8 and Hada Labo are distinct skincare options, with the British brand founded in 2009 and the Japanese brand established in 2004. Medik8 is known for serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, while Hada Labo is deeply loved for its hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers, all driven by the advanced science of its formulas. Both suits dry skin best, though the first fits sensitive skin best and the second suits acne-prone skin best. They differ because the first brand uses hyaluronic acid to lengthen toxin wrinkle effect duration, whereas the second brand relies on thoughtful formulation where ingredients work harmoniously to deliver essential hydration and support a healthy skin barrier.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Hada Labo products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Hada Labo products

People Say

Medik8Hada Labo
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “leaves skin soft and hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Lightweight and elegant texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “Thick serum-like — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Brightening and glow Often MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
    • “immediate glow — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “smoother skin texture — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
    • “Makes my skin plump and hydrating. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
  • Fades dark spots Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Can feel sticky if over-applied — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • High price point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Slow or patience-requiring results Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “Subtle initial changes — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “takes months to see results — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”

Medik8 vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Medik8 vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Medik8 vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Hada Labo: which is better?

Medik8 and Hada Labo both offer great options, with Hada Labo providing a Superior routine fit for oily skin and a generally lower price point. Both brands feature products with hyaluronic acid, which helps deliver deep hydration to the skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between Medik8 and Hada Labo?

Medik8 is an advanced UK skincare brand that helps deliver brightening and plumping effects, whereas Hada Labo is a popular Japanese brand known for deep hydration and value. Both brands heavily feature hyaluronic acid across the products on this page to help support skin moisture.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both Medik8 and Hada Labo achieve a Lovi routine fit level of Superior for dry skin. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured across both brands, helps provide deep hydration and improve skin quality.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Both Medik8 and Hada Labo offer effective moisturizers on this page, with Hada Labo doing better for deep hydration and budget value while Medik8 provides options with luxurious textures and added anti-aging benefits. Sodium hyaluronate is a key ingredient featured across both brands that helps improve skin quality and hydration levels.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is more affordable, as reviewers often mention Medik8 has a high price point.

Medik8 or Hada Labo for fading dark spots?

Both Medik8 and Hada Labo fit skin with dark spots at a High level on this page. Hada Labo does better for fading dark spots.

Medik8 or Hada Labo for brightening and glow?

Medik8 stands out for brightening and glow, with review themes showing it does better than Hada Labo in this area.

Which brand has fragrance-free products, Medik8 or Hada Labo?

Both brands offer fragrance-free options, as every product on the Hada Labo page lists no fragrance, and 11 out of 12 products on the Medik8 page also list no fragrance.

Medik8 or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Hada Labo reaches a Superior routine fit while Medik8 reaches a High fit level. Both brands offer products with hyaluronic acid that helps hydrate the skin without heavy oils.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Both Medik8 and Hada Labo fit acne-prone skin well, with Hada Labo achieving a Superior routine fit level while Medik8 reaches a High level. Reviewers note that Hada Labo helps provide deep hydration with fragrance-free formulations, though some report that it may cause breakouts and clogged pores.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic 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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