🇮🇹Italy

Medik8 vs SK-II

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

Medik8 and SK-II are established skincare names, with the British brand founded in 2009 and the Japanese pioneer launched in 1980. Medik8 relies on hyaluronic acid to lengthen the wrinkle-smoothing effect, while SK-II uses its signature pitera to improve pores, roughness, and redness. Both collections suit dry skin, though the former excels for sensitive profiles and the latter for addressing imbalances. They differ in their core offerings and heritage, offering distinct paths to refined radiance.

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

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

Popular Medik8 vs SK-II products

People Say

Medik8SK-II
  • Texture and lightweight feel Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Brightening and glowing skin Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentleness and skin sensitivity Mostly MentionedRarely 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”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • High price point and value Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Results timeline and effectiveness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Tackiness, oiliness, and finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or SK-II: which is better?

Both Medik8 and SK-II offer a Superior routine fit for dry, combination, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin, while SK-II achieves a Superior fit for oily, acne-prone, mature, and dark-spot-prone skin on the Lovi page. Reviewers report that Medik8 excels in gentleness and plumping, whereas SK-II performs better in texture and brightening.

What is the difference between Medik8 and SK-II?

Medik8 stands out for its gentleness on sensitive skin and plumping effects, while SK-II scores better for lightweight texture and brightening. Both brands offer high-performing routines, but Medik8 features hyaluronic acid across its range while SK-II relies on Pitera.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for dry skin?

Medik8 and SK-II are both a Superior fit for dry skin on Lovi. Both brands feature deep hydration and moisture as key benefits, while Medik8 is especially known for gentleness and SK-II utilizes Pitera across its formulas.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Medik8 and SK-II offer highly rated moisturizers on this page, with Medik8 featuring hyaluronic acid and SK-II utilizing Pitera. Reviewers often mention deep hydration and plumping for Medik8, while SK-II is noted for its lightweight feel and brightening effects. Both brands achieve strong routine fits for various skin types, though individual preferences for texture and key ingredients will guide the choice.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or SK-II?

Both Medik8 and SK-II are luxury skincare brands that feature a high price point among reviewers, so neither is clearly more affordable.

Which brand has better brightening and glowing review themes?

SK-II does better than Medik8 for brightening and glowing review themes. The products on this page help improve skin radiance and texture through key ingredients like Pitera.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Medik8 and SK-II compare?

Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe, while SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company.

Medik8 or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, SK-II achieves a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Medik8 reaches a High fit level. The products on this page from Medik8 help address various skin needs, while SK-II leans on its signature ingredient Pitera.

Medik8 or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Medik8 and SK-II achieve a Superior Lovi fit for sensitive skin, but Medik8 stands out for gentleness. Reviewers frequently mention Medik8 for providing gentle and non-irritating serums, making it well-suited for sensitive skin types.

Medik8 or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II achieves a Superior Lovi fit, while Medik8 achieves a High fit level. The products on this page help improve skin texture and provide a lightweight feel.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play