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Anua vs SK-II

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

Anua and SK-II are skincare brands founded in 2019 and 1980, respectively, offering thoughtful moisturizers, toners, serums, and cleansers. The Korean brand is built around hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, and niacinamide, while the Japanese brand is anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera. Both brands suit acne-prone skin best, though the former also fits oily skin while the latter fits dry skin. They differ significantly in their heritage and core compounds, addressing targeted concerns through distinct formulations.

Anua is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by The Founders Inc..

prnewswire.comkedglobal.comtracxn.comv.daum.net

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

Popular Anua vs SK-II products

People Say

AnuaSK-II
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “complexion feels so plump — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
    • “leaves skin plump — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “melts into skin — Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream”
    • “Feels like water, not heavy oil — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Glass Skin 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”
    • “glass-like glow — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
  • Improves Skin Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin feels super smooth — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
    • “skin feels so smooth — Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Brightening and Dark Spots Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Significant reduction in hyperpigmentation from acne scarring. — Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum”
    • “Gives a nice healthy glow — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Soothes Redness and Barrier Support Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Calms my redness instantly — Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner”
    • “calmed my red spots — Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad”
    • “didn't sensitize my skin — Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • High Price and Value Concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “price feels way too high — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
    • “small size, the price is expensive — Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder”
    • “bottle too small — Anua NANO RETINOL™ 0.3% + NIACIN RENEWING SERUM”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Visible Results and Slow Efficacy Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Did absolutely nothing — Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner”
    • “not instant fix — Anua NANO RETINOL™ 0.3% + NIACIN RENEWING SERUM”
    • “Did nothing for my skin. — Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and Acne Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Wrecked my skin barrier — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”

Anua vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Anua vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Anua vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Anua or SK-II: which is better?

Anua and SK-II are both good options, depending on what your skin needs most. Anua is often favored for soothing redness and barrier support, while SK-II tends to do better for glass skin glow and radiance. However, the products on this page for both brands feature fragrance-free formulas.

What is the difference between Anua and SK-II?

Anua is a South Korean brand founded in 2019 that focuses heavily on soothing and barrier support with heartleaf ingredients, while SK-II is a Japanese brand established in 1980 that centers its formulas around Pitera. Reviewers note that SK-II delivers better glass skin glow and radiance, whereas Anua does better at soothing redness and barrier support.

Anua or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II has a Superior routine fit on Lovi, while Anua has a High fit. Both brands feature fragrance-free products on the products on this page.

Anua or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Anua and SK-II offer popular moisturizers on the products on this page, but they cater to different needs with distinct key ingredients like heartleaf and Pitera. Reviewers find that both brands perform equally well for hydration and moisture, while Anua stands out for soothing redness and barrier support.

Which is more affordable, Anua or SK-II?

When looking at the products on this page, Anua carries negative reviews about high price and value concerns, whereas SK-II does not mention this issue.

Between Anua and SK-II, which brand does better for glass skin glow and radiance?

SK-II does better for glass skin glow and radiance among the products on this page. Reviewers note that SK-II excels specifically in providing glass skin glow and radiance compared to Anua.

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

Anua was founded in 2019 in South Korea and is owned by The Founders Inc., whereas SK-II was founded earlier in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand performs better for soothing redness and barrier support?

Anua performs better for soothing redness and barrier support based on reviewers on the products on this page.

Anua or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Anua and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level among the products on this page. Anua features key ingredients like niacinamide and heartleaf, while SK-II relies on pitera across its formulations.

Anua or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Anua and SK-II are both a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Every product on the pages for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Anua or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II has a Superior routine fit on the products on this page, while Anua has a High routine fit. Anua may help soothe redness, but niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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