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Elemis vs Grown Alchemist

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

Elemis and Grown Alchemist are esteemed skincare brands that offer thoughtfully formulated cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and toners. The British brand founded in 1989 harnesses nourishing glycerin and shea, suiting mature and dry sensitive skin best, whereas Grown Alchemist suits sensitive, dry, and combination skin. While both feature standout solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature needs, they differ through their distinct heritage and specific conditioning components.

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 Elemis and Grown Alchemist products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Elemis vs Grown Alchemist products

People Say

ElemisGrown Alchemist
  • Cleansing and Exfoliation Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Doesn't dry out my skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “Gets everything nice and clean — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
  • Texture and Application Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “silkiest cleanser — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “Skin version of chugging water — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
    • “doesn't strip at all — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • Scents and Fragrance Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Smells amazing — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “smell is divine — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for what it is — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “A bit pricey — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Irritation and Breakouts Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Too perfumy notes — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”

Questions and answers

Elemis or Grown Alchemist: which is better?

Elemis and Grown Alchemist perform equally well for cleansing, exfoliation, hydration, and moisture, while Elemis does better for texture and application. Grown Alchemist does better for scents and fragrance because every product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas Elemis has products that sometimes note a strong fragrance or skin irritation. Grown Alchemist also has a high price point mentioned as a negative.

What is the difference between Elemis and Grown Alchemist?

Elemis is a larger, UK-founded brand with many fragranced options, whereas Grown Alchemist is an independent brand where every product on this page lists no fragrance. Elemis fits best for mature skin, dry sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots, and its texture and application are rated better by reviewers.

Elemis or Grown Alchemist: which cleanser is better?

Elemis and Grown Alchemist perform equally for cleansing and exfoliation on this page. Reviewers mostly mention that Grown Alchemist offers hydrating, gentle, and pleasant cleansers, while Elemis features products with a strong fragrance and occasional skin irritation.

Which is more affordable, Elemis or Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist is more affordable compared to Elemis, as reviewers frequently note a high price point for the products on this page for Elemis.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Elemis or Grown Alchemist?

Both Elemis and Grown Alchemist perform equally regarding irritation and breakouts. Reviewers sometimes note skin irritation as a drawback for Elemis products.

Which brand has more products containing added fragrance, Elemis or Grown Alchemist?

Elemis has more products containing added fragrance, with 18 out of 22 products listing fragrance, whereas every Grown Alchemist product on this page lists no fragrance.

When were Elemis and Grown Alchemist founded, and who currently owns them?

Elemis was founded in 1989 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by the L'Occitane Group since 2019. Grown Alchemist was founded in 2008 and has been independently owned since 2024.

How does the Lovi fit level for dry skin compare between Elemis's Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and Grown Alchemist's Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser?

Elemis's Pro-Collagen Marine Cream has a High Lovi fit level for dry skin, while Grown Alchemist's Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser also has a High Lovi fit level for dry skin.

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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