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Some By Mi vs SK-II

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

Some By Mi and SK-II are renowned skincare brands offering diverse serums, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers anchored by distinct active ingredients. The Korean brand relies on niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid to suit skin with dark spots and dry sensitive skin, while the Japanese brand centers its luxurious formulations on pitera to address dry skin and acne-prone skin. Ultimately, the two brands differ in their signature ingredients and geographic origins, providing tailored solutions for various complexions.

Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.

kedglobal.compreqin.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 Some By Mi and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Some By Mi vs SK-II products

People Say

Some By MiSK-II
  • Hydrating and Lightweight Formulations Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Surprisingly gentle — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Brightening and Glow 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”
    • “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
  • Gentleness and Sensitivity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “doesn't strip dry my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “didn't find this irritating — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Reduces pimples — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “cleared my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
    • “flattened my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
  • Refreshing and Soothing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Calmed my retinol burn overnight — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “nice cooling effect — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
    • “calmed my angry red skin — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
  • Product Value and Pricing Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Too expensive for 50ml — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Scents and Fragrance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Fermented smell — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
  • Overhyped and Slow Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't do much for old scars — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
    • “not noticed any significant changes — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Dryness and Dehydration Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”

Some By Mi vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Some By Mi vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Some By Mi vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Some By Mi or SK-II: which is better?

Some By Mi and SK-II both perform well, with SK-II better for hydration and brightening while Some By Mi is better for acne and sensitivity. For the products on this page, Lovi rates SK-II superior for oily and combination skin, and both brands equal for dry, sensitive, and dark spots.

What is the difference between Some By Mi and SK-II?

Some By Mi leans towards acne and blemish control and refreshing and soothing, whereas SK-II leads in hydrating and lightweight formulations, brightening and glow, and preventing dryness and dehydration.

Some By Mi or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Some By Mi and SK-II are great options for dry skin, as Lovi rates their routines as superior for this skin type. Reviewers note that SK-II delivers more hydrating and lightweight formulations, while Some By Mi offers products with key ingredients like niacinamide and panthenol that help improve moisture.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Some By Mi or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II has better hydrating and lightweight formulations for its moisturizers, while Some By Mi offers products that excel in brightening and blemish control. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for both brands.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or SK-II?

Some By Mi is more affordable than SK-II, as indicated by product value and pricing.

Between Some By Mi and SK-II, which brand does better for brightening and glow?

SK-II does better for brightening and glow among the products on this page. Reviewers and comparisons highlight SK-II for offering superior hydrating and lightweight formulations that support these benefits.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Some By Mi and SK-II?

Some By Mi was founded in South Korea in 2016, whereas SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980.

What are the key active ingredients used across Some By Mi products versus SK-II products?

Some By Mi uses key ingredients such as niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid across the products on this page, whereas SK-II relies on its signature ingredient, Pitera.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or SK-II for oily skin?

SK-II is a better fit for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Some By Mi.

Some By Mi or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer an equal Lovi fit level of Superior for sensitive skin. Some By Mi stands out for gentleness and sensitivity, whereas SK-II provides hydrating and lightweight formulations.

Some By Mi or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Some By Mi is well suited for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High and reviewers note its effective acne-clearing treatments. SK-II also fits this skin type well, earning a Superior routine rating on Lovi.

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

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