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Elemis vs SK-II

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

Elemis and SK-II are esteemed skincare brands rooted in Britain and Japan, respectively. The British label offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners featuring glycerin and shea to suit mature skin and dry sensitive skin best. Conversely, the Japanese brand provides moisturizers, serums, masks, and toners anchored by pitera to suit acne-prone skin and dry skin best. While both lines nourish complexions through targeted formulations, they differ through their signature ingredients and geographic heritage.

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

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Elemis vs SK-II products

People Say

ElemisSK-II
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • 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”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Radiance and Glow 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”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Skin Smoothing and Exfoliation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Prep Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Scent and Fragrance Experience Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “Subtle rose fragrance, spa-like scent, not overpowering. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “expensive — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Underwhelming or Slow Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “didn't see difference — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Verdict still out. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and Skin Reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”

Elemis vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Elemis vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Elemis vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Elemis or SK-II: which is better?

Elemis and SK-II both offer strong options, with Elemis fitting best for mature skin, dry sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots, while SK-II fits best for acne-prone skin, dry skin, and oily acne-prone skin. Lovi rates Elemis as High and SK-II as Superior for dry skin routines. SK-II does better for radiance and glow, whereas Elemis has a higher price point.

What is the difference between Elemis and SK-II?

Elemis is a UK-based brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company. For dry skin, Lovi rates the routine fit for Elemis as High and for SK-II as Superior.

Elemis or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, Elemis has a High routine fit on Lovi, while SK-II has a Superior routine fit. Reviewers often mention Elemis for its hydrating moisturizers, though the products on this page frequently contain fragrance.

Elemis or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, Elemis is a strong option for dry and mature skin, while SK-II is well suited for dry skin and acne-prone skin. Reviewers often mention Elemis for its hydrating and luxurious moisturizers, though the products on this page frequently include added fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Elemis or SK-II?

Reviewers note that Elemis has a high price point among the products on this page. SK-II is not mentioned to have this high price drawback.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Elemis and SK-II compare?

Elemis was founded in 1989 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by the L'Occitane Group since 2019. In comparison, SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand performs better for radiance and glow according to review themes?

According to the review themes on this page, SK-II does better for radiance and glow. Elemis products on this page often mention a radiant glow, but SK-II is noted as the brand that performs better in this category.

How many Elemis products on the page list no fragrance compared to SK-II?

Elemis has 4 products on this page that list no fragrance, whereas every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance.

Elemis or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Elemis and SK-II both achieve a High routine fit on this page. Elemis features a balancing toner that fits oily skin well, while SK-II offers an essence that is also well-suited for oily skin.

Elemis or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both Elemis and SK-II achieve a High routine fit on Lovi. Elemis features key ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, while SK-II products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Elemis or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

SK-II has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, while Elemis has a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that SK-II does better for radiance and glow, whereas Elemis has a high price point.

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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