SK-II and Anessa are revered Japanese skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily beauty rituals. SK-II delivers luxurious moisturizers, potent serums , clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera, making it ideally suited for dry and acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, Anessa provides advanced sunscreens and sophisticated formulas designed to protect all skin types. While both brands share a dedication to thoughtful formulation, they differ in their primary focuses, with the former addressing specific imbalances and the latter ensuring reliable daily defense.
SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.
en.wikipedia.org discoversk-ii.wixsite.com glossy.co
Anessa is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1992 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.
anessaco.com en.wikipedia.org corp.shiseido.com happi.com
This page compares some of the most popular SK-II and Anessa products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app .
Popular SK-II vs Anessa products
Questions and answers
SK-II or Anessa: which is better?
When comparing SK-II and Anessa on this page, SK-II fits dry, acne-prone, and combination skin best with its range of essences, masks, and creams, whereas Anessa focuses entirely on sunscreens that achieve high fit levels for oily, mature, and pigmented skin.
What is the difference between SK-II and Anessa?
SK-II focuses on essences, masks, and moisturizers featuring Pitera that fit dry and acne-prone skin best, whereas Anessa focuses on sunscreens like Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk that fit oily and mature skin with high ratings.
Which is more affordable, SK-II or Anessa?
The products on this page for both SK-II and Anessa do not include pricing information, so affordability cannot be compared.
Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or Anessa?
For acne-prone skin, SK-II has a high or superior Lovi fit across several of the products on this page, whereas Anessa offers a high Lovi fit with its sunscreens.
Which brand has been around longer, SK-II or Anessa?
SK-II has been around longer, having been founded in Japan in 1980, whereas Anessa was founded in 1992.
Do either SK-II or Anessa products contain fragrance?
Every product on this page from both SK-II and Anessa lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
What is the key ingredient featured across SK-II products?
The key ingredient featured across the products on this page for SK-II is Pitera.
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Research behind their key ingredients
35 more studies
Skin penetration and stabilization of formulations containing microfine titanium dioxide as physical UV filter
Titanium dioxide · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2000 Treatment of acne with a combination of propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera compared to erythromycin cream: two double-blind investigations
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract · Clinical Pharmacology, 2018 Use of Collagen in Cosmetic Products
Water-soluble collagen · Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024 Injectable thermo-sensitive and wide-crack self-healing hydrogel loaded with antibacterial anti-inflammatory dipotassium glycyrrhizate for full-thickness skin wound repair
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate · Acta Biomaterialia, 2022 Green tea extract reduces induction of p53 and apoptosis in UVB-irradiated human skin independent of transcriptional controls
Camellia sinensis leaf extract · Experimental Dermatology, 2009 The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study
Glycerin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017 Randomized controlled study for the anti-aging effect of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide after laser therapy
Niacinamide · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021 The human stratum corneum layer: an effective barrier against dermal uptake of different forms of topically applied micronised titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide · Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2001 A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Study of the Efficacy of Moisturizer Containing Licochalcone A, Decanediol, L-Carnitine, and Salicylic Acid for Prevention of Acne Relapse in Asian Population
Salicylic acid · BioMed Research International, 2020 A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: Results from two randomized controlled studies assessing its skin moisturization and barrier restoration potential, and the effect on skin microflora
Panthenol, D-pantothenyl alcohol · The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017 Senomorphic activity of a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: correlation with clinical improvement of skin aging
Niacinamide · Scientific Reports, 2024 Efficacy of a topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol for pain and inflammation control after third molar surgery: A randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial
D-pantothenyl alcohol · Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020 Daily Fluctuation of Facial Pore Area, Roughness and Redness among Young Japanese Women; Beneficial Effects of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Containing Antioxidative Skin Care Formula
Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera essence, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate, Sk-ii pitera concentrate, Pitera · Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021 Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized study
Salicylic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024 Biomimetic hyaluronic acid-stabilized zinc oxide nanoparticles in acne treatment: A preclinical and clinical approach
Zinc oxide · Journal of Controlled Release, 2025 A Salicylic Acid-Based Dermocosmetic is Effective as an Adjunct to Benzoyl Peroxide for Mild to Moderate Acne and as Monotherapy in Maintenance Post Benzoyl Peroxide
Salicylic acid · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023 Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-undecyl-10-enoyl-L-phenylalanine and its combination with niacinamide
Undecylenoyl phenylalanine · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2009 Antiacne and antiblotch activities of a formulated combination of Aloe barbadensis leaf powder, Garcinia mangostana peel extract, and Camellia sinensis leaf extract
Camellia sinensis leaf extract · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019 Inhibitory effects of shell of Camellia oleifera Abel extract on mushroom tyrosinase and human skin melanin
Butylene glycol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019 A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of a preparation containing undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2% in the treatment of solar lentigines
Undecylenoyl phenylalanine · Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2010 In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate · International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013 Influence of vitamin E acetate on stratum corneum hydration
Tocopheryl acetate · Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998 Topical Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Formulations for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review of Pre-Clinical and Early-Phase Clinical Evidence
Zinc oxide · Biomedicines, 2025 Enhanced Fluctuations in Facial Pore Size, Redness, and TEWL Caused by Mask Usage Are Normalized by the Application of a Moisturizer
Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera essence, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate, Sk-ii pitera concentrate, Pitera · Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022 Three clinical studies showing the anti-aging benefits of sodium salicylate in human skin
Sodium salicylate · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010 Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
Panthenol, D-pantothenyl alcohol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025 Glycerol crosslinked vitamin E loaded xanthan gum and gellan gum nanoemulgels for topical management of dry skin
Xanthan gum · International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025 A Double-Blind, 12-Week Study to Evaluate the Antiaging Efficacy of a Cream Containing the NFκB Inhibitor 4-Hexyl-1, 3-Phenylenediol and Ascorbic Acid-2 Glucoside in Adult Females
L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, Ascorbyl glucoside · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016 Significant Reversal of Facial Wrinkle, Pigmented Spot and Roughness by Daily Application of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate-Containing Skin Products for 12 Months-An 11-Year Longitudinal Skin Aging Rejuvenation Study
Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera essence, Pitera ferment filtrate galactomyces ferment filtrate, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera · Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023 Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, Ascorbyl glucoside · International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024 Facial disbiosis and UV filters
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate · Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024 Mitigation of ultraviolet-induced erythema and inflammation by para-hydroxycinnamic acid in human skin
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025 The Effectiveness of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Dexpanthenol, and Centella Asiatica Combination Serum in the Treatment of Post-Acne Hyperpigmentation in Subjects with Skin of Color
Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Sk-ii pitera concentrate, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate · Skinmed, 2021 Clinical Efficacy of Topical Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside in Enhancing Outcomes of Laser Gingival Depigmentation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Ascorbyl glucoside · Cureus, 2026 Efficacy of a Topical Formulation on Skin Hydration and Barrier Function in Individuals With Xerosis: A 28-Day Randomized, Split-Leg, Untreated-Controlled Trial
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
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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
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
Aishani Shah, MD
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
Asya Zubkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
Hanna Kurets, MD
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist