🇳🇱Netherlands

Dermalogica vs Elemis

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

Dermalogica and Elemis are established transatlantic skincare brands founded in the late 1980s. Dermalogica is an American skincare brand, while Elemis is a British skincare brand. Skincare enthusiasts love both for their targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, and gentle cleansers, though the American line also features purifying masks and the British line includes toners. The first brand relies on star ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid to suit dry skin and oily acne-prone skin best, whereas the second brand harnesses nourishing ingredients like glycerin and shea to suit mature skin and dry sensitive skin best. While both brands feature glycerin, they differ because the former utilizes hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid, and the latter incorporates shea butter.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Dermalogica and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Dermalogica vs Elemis products

People Say

DermalogicaElemis
  • Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Effective Cleansing and Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes stubborn mascara — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Benefits Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “eyelids look firmer and lifted — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
    • “fine lines have visibly softened — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
    • “My neck doesn't sag... plumps my skin to look more youthful. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “less lines and ripples — Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment”
  • Pleasant Spa Scent Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Skin Irritation and Reactions Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Too thick for day — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Unpleasant or Strong Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smells like medicine — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”

Dermalogica vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Dermalogica vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Dermalogica vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or Elemis: which is better?

Dermalogica has a superior routine fit for dry skin and oily acne-prone skin compared to Elemis, while both brands offer equal fit levels for other skin types. Every product on the Dermalogica page lists no fragrance, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance.

What is the difference between Dermalogica and Elemis?

Dermalogica features no fragrance across the products on this page, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance. Dermalogica is founded in the United States and owned by Unilever, while Elemis is founded in the United Kingdom and owned by L'Occitane Group.

Dermalogica or Elemis for dry skin?

Dermalogica offers a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Elemis provides a High fit. Both brands feature products that help deliver intense hydration and soothing moisturizers for dry skin.

Dermalogica or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis offer effective cleansers, with Dermalogica featuring a routine fit for dry skin rated as Superior and Elemis rated as High. Every product on the Dermalogica page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while 18 of the 22 products on the Elemis page contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or Elemis?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis feature a high price point as a mostly mentioned drawback by reviewers on the page, so neither stands out as more affordable.

Dermalogica or Elemis for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Dermalogica and Elemis have a High fit level based on the products on this page. Dermalogica is founded in the United States and offers fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like salicylic acid and glycerin, while Elemis is founded in the United Kingdom and includes options featuring shea butter.

Dermalogica or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis offer moisturizers that provide deep hydration and suit various skin types, but Dermalogica is a better fit for dry skin, where its routine reaches a Superior level compared to Elemis having a High level. Additionally, all Dermalogica products on this page list no fragrance, which may help users with sensitive skin avoid potential irritation.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dermalogica or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis fit sensitive skin at a High level. While Dermalogica lists no fragrance across the products on this page, Elemis includes fragrance in the majority of its formulations.

Dermalogica or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Dermalogica and Elemis both offer a high routine fit for acne-prone skin. Dermalogica products on this page list no fragrance, which helps reduce the risk of irritation.

Dermalogica or Elemis for mature skin?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis fit mature skin at a High level. Reviewers mention that Dermalogica products on this page provide intense hydration and soothing moisturizers, while Elemis products on this page offer hydrating moisturizers and a radiant glow.

Dermalogica or Elemis for skin with dark spots?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis fit skin with dark spots well, earning a High level on Lovi. The products on this page from both brands help target uneven pigmentation with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dermalogica or Elemis for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, Dermalogica has a superior routine fit compared to Elemis, which is high. Dermalogica also features no fragrance across the products on this page, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play