🇳🇱Netherlands

Medik8 vs Elemis

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

Medik8 and Elemis are esteemed British skincare brands that respectively anchor their formulations in hyaluronic acid, and nourishing ingredients like glycerin and shea. The 2009-founded Medik8 offers serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more that suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, while the 1989-founded Elemis provides thoughtfully formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more tailored for mature skin and dry sensitive skin. Both houses feature standout targeted solutions, such as the former brand's Surface Radiance Cleanse, Oxy-R Peptides, and Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream, alongside the latter brand's Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment, Pro-Collagen Tri-Acid Peel, and Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. Ultimately, they differ through their core active mechanisms, with the first brand relying on hyaluronic acid to lengthen toxin wrinkle effect duration, and the second brand utilizing glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and improve barrier function while shea butter reduces inflammation and relieves skin pruritus.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.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 Medik8 and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Elemis products

People Say

Medik8Elemis
  • Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and elegant texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Skin plumping and smoothing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “skin feels baby-soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Brightening and glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “instantly fresh glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Pleasant experience and scent Sometimes 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”
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • High price point Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Slow or underwhelming results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
  • Packaging issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Medik8 vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Elemis: which is better?

Medik8 is better for sensitive skin because the products on this page help deliver gentle care with fewer fragrances, whereas Elemis focuses more on rich, heavily scented textures that may sometimes trigger irritation.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Elemis?

Medik8 stands out for gentle, fragrance-conscious formulations and a superior fit for dry and sensitive skin, whereas Elemis offers luxurious textures, rich hydration, and a focus on mature skin. Reviewers note that Medik8 products are less likely to irritate, while Elemis provides a more sensorially pleasing experience with stronger fragrances.

Medik8 or Elemis for dry skin?

Medik8 is better than Elemis for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis having a High routine fit on this page. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration and plumping for dry skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Medik8 stands out for its cleanser on this page, which is rated Superior for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots, whereas Elemis products on this page are generally rated High for similar uses. Medik8 formulas tend to be more gentle and non-irritating.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Elemis?

Medik8 is more affordable than Elemis, as high pricing is a noted drawback for both brands but Elemis faces more frequent complaints regarding its cost.

Between Medik8 and Elemis, which brand has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products?

Medik8 has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products, as 11 of their 12 products on this page list no fragrance compared to only 4 of the 22 products for Elemis.

Which brand performs better for gentle and non-irritating formulas according to review themes?

Medik8 performs better for gentle and non-irritating formulas.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Medik8 and Elemis compare?

Medik8 was founded in the United Kingdom in 2009 and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe, while Elemis was founded there in 1989 and is owned by L'Occitane Group.

Medik8 or Elemis for oily skin?

Medik8 and Elemis both fit oily skin at a High level on the products on this page. Elemis provides a more pleasant experience and scent with a lightweight texture, while Medik8 helps deliver a gentle and non-irritating formula.

Medik8 or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 stands out for its hydrating moisturizers, offering a superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Elemis. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration, though individual results may vary.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for sensitive skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Elemis, which reaches a High fit level. Medik8 is known for gentle, non-irritating formulas, whereas Elemis products on this page sometimes feature strong fragrance and skin irritation.

Medik8 or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Medik8 and Elemis are good options for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a High fit level for this skin type. Medik8 stands out for formulas that help provide gentle and non-irritating care.

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