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Shiseido vs SK-II

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

Shiseido and SK-II are Japanese skincare brands founded in 1872 and 1980, respectively. Shiseido is beloved for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, and serums, all formulated with nourishing glycerin, while the latter is cherished for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera. The first brand suits mature skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas SK-II suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, they differ in their key formulations and active benefits, with the former using glycerin to significantly improve stratum corneum hydration and the latter improving pore area, roughness, and redness.

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.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 Shiseido and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Shiseido vs SK-II products

People Say

ShiseidoSK-II
  • Deep hydration Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Radiant glow 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”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
  • Luxurious texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
    • “silky texture that absorbs quickly — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Lightweight texture 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”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Smoother skin and texture Rarely 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”
    • “makes skin baby soft — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
  • Makeup compatibility and prep Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Great base for makeup — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • High price point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Expensive, pricey, high cost for the amount. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “expensive, investment piece, pricey for the amount, luxury cost — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
    • “overpowering scent, too perfumed, smell lingers, headache-inducing — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lack of results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “No change in deep wrinkles — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “No noticeable difference, not moisturizing enough on its own. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “no visible lifting, just a moisturizer, didn't erase deep wrinkles — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Shiseido vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Shiseido vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Shiseido vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Shiseido or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands offer strong options, but SK-II has no fragrance listed across the products on this page while Shiseido includes fragrance in most items. Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit for all listed skin types. The products on this page help deliver hydration, though Shiseido reviewers mention deep hydration and luxurious textures while SK-II reviewers highlight lightweight textures and radiant glow.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Shiseido and SK-II?

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 that offers luxurious textures and deep hydration across the products on this page, whereas SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 that features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like Pitera. Both brands achieve a High routine fit for mature skin, sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots according to Lovi.

Shiseido or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands work well, with Lovi giving SK-II a Superior fit and Shiseido a High fit. Sodium hyaluronate helps deliver topical hydration as noted in study three.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Shiseido or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer exceptional moisturizers, but SK-II is well known for delivering a lightweight texture and radiant glow, while Shiseido provides luxurious textures and deep hydration. According to Lovi, both Shiseido and SK-II achieve a Superior fit for dry skin, making them equally strong choices depending on your preference for a lightweight or deeply nourishing feel.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Shiseido or SK-II?

The products on this page show that Shiseido has a high price point as a negative review theme, whereas SK-II does not list high price as a review issue.

Shiseido or SK-II: which brand offers fragrance-free products?

SK-II offers fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, most Shiseido products on this page include fragrance.

Shiseido or SK-II: which is better for radiant glow?

SK-II does better than Shiseido for a radiant glow, according to the review themes on this page.

Shiseido or SK-II: which is older and when was it founded?

Shiseido is older, having been founded in Japan in 1872. SK-II was founded later in Japan in 1980.

Shiseido or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates both Shiseido and SK-II as having a Superior routine fit. SK-II provides a more lightweight texture and radiant glow, while Shiseido offers deeper hydration and luxurious textures.

Shiseido or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Shiseido and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Shiseido features luxurious textures and deep hydration, while SK-II offers fragrance-free formulas across all products on this page.

Shiseido or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer products on this page that may help with acne-prone skin. Lovi rates Shiseido's routine fit as High and SK-II's routine fit as Superior for acne-prone skin.

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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