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Cetaphil vs SK-II

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

Cetaphil and SK-II are established skincare brands offering thoughtfully formulated cleansers, moisturizers, serums, sunscreens, nourishing masks, and refreshing toners enriched with key ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, and pitera. Cetaphil suits acne-prone and combination skin best with supportive formulations, whereas SK-II gently nurtures delicate complexions for acne-prone and dry skin with time-tested efficacy. Both brands differ in their standout solutions and specific active benefits, as the American brand focuses on barrier function, hydration, and hyperpigmentation, while the Japanese brand actively improves pore area, skin roughness, and redness.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs SK-II products

People Say

CetaphilSK-II
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Skin smoothing and softening Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Improves texture and radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Brightening and complexion Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Contains fragrance, methylparaben, and benzyl alcohol. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Caused breakouts, small bumps, redness/irritation, fungal acne trigger. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Face burns — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Chemical or unusual smell Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “has a slight chemical scent — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “Smell is too strong like chemical extract — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
    • “Smells like hospital soap. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but Cetaphil is often preferred for being gentle on sensitive skin, while SK-II does better for skin smoothing, softening, and brightening. For dry skin routines, Cetaphil has a High Lovi fit level and SK-II has a Superior fit level.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and SK-II?

Cetaphil and SK-II differ in their brand focus and review themes, where Cetaphil is often noted for being gentle on sensitive skin while SK-II performs better for skin smoothing, softening, and brightening. Additionally, Cetaphil features key ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide, whereas SK-II centers its formulations on Pitera.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or SK-II for dry skin?

Both brands fit dry skin well, but SK-II has a Superior routine fit compared to Cetaphil's High fit on this page. Cetaphil products on this page help hydrate dry skin with key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil and SK-II both offer moisturizers with varying fit levels depending on your skin type. For dry skin, the routine fit is High for Cetaphil and Superior for SK-II. Reviewers note that Cetaphil provides hydrating, non-greasy moisturizers, while SK-II does better with skin smoothing, softening, and improving texture and radiance.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or SK-II?

Cetaphil is more affordable than SK-II, as review themes note a high price point for Cetaphil while SK-II positions itself as a luxury brand.

Between Cetaphil and SK-II, which brand does better for skin smoothing and softening?

SK-II does better for skin smoothing and softening compared to Cetaphil. The products on this page help improve texture and radiance.

Which brand was founded earlier and in what country, Cetaphil or SK-II?

Cetaphil was founded earlier in 1947 in the United States, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan.

How many products list fragrance in Cetaphil compared to SK-II?

In Cetaphil, 26 of the 27 products on this page list no fragrance, while the Oily Skin Cleanser contains fragrance. In contrast, every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Cetaphil or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Cetaphil and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers while helping maintain hydration.

Cetaphil or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both brands are a good match for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both Cetaphil and SK-II as High for this skin type. Reviewers specifically note that Cetaphil does better at being gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Cetaphil provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers.

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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