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Medik8 vs SK-II

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

Medik8 and SK-II are established skincare houses representing British and Japanese formulations, respectively. The British brand focuses on serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, fitting dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand offers thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, nourishing serums, rejuvenating masks, refreshing toners, and more, all anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera, to suit acne-prone skin and dry skin best. Both differ through distinct heritages and targeted solutions, such as Medik8 addressing specific concerns with the Surface Radiance Cleanse, Oxy-R Peptides, and Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream, while SK-II utilizes the Genoptics Ultraura Essence, Facial Treatment Essence, and Facial Treatment Clear Lotion.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

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 Medik8 and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs SK-II products

People Say

Medik8SK-II
  • Texture and lightweight feel Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Brightening and glowing skin Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentleness and skin sensitivity Mostly MentionedRarely 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”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • High price point and value Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Results timeline and effectiveness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Tackiness, oiliness, and finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or SK-II: which is better?

Both Medik8 and SK-II are strong options, with Medik8 having a Superior fit level for dry sensitive skin and SK-II providing a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin. The products on this page from Medik8 help deliver deep hydration and plumping with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which studies show aids in skin quality and anti-aging effects.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between Medik8 and SK-II?

Medik8 is best for sensitive skin, while SK-II leans toward acne-prone skin, though both brands feature hyaluronic acid and Pitera as key ingredients respectively.

Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Medik8 and SK-II achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin, making them equally good options. The products on this page from Medik8 are especially well-suited for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and sensitive skin, while also featuring key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help provide deep hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Medik8 and SK-II offer moisturizers like Medik8's Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream and SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence that help provide deep hydration and moisture with equal effectiveness. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient in Medik8 products, helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or SK-II?

Both Medik8 and SK-II products on this page have a high price point, but Medik8 has a high price point and value as a negative review theme.

Medik8 or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Medik8 and SK-II offer a High routine fit for oily skin on the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid, found across the products on this page, helps provide hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is the better choice for sensitive skin because the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit for that skin type compared to SK-II's High level. Reviewers commonly note that Medik8 offers gentle and non-irritating serums.

Medik8 or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands are great for acne-prone skin, with SK-II achieving a Superior Lovi fit level and Medik8 achieving a High level on the products on this page.

Medik8 or SK-II for combination skin?

Medik8 is the better choice for combination skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for SK-II. Reviewers mention that the products on this page help improve skin texture and provide deep hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for mature skin?

Both Medik8 and SK-II are a High fit for mature skin. Medik8 helps with plumping and smoothing, while SK-II does better with texture and lightweight feel, though both help deliver deep hydration and moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

Medik8 and SK-II are both a High fit for skin with dark spots according to the products on this page. Topical ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C are studied for helping fade pigmentation and brighten the skin tone.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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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