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Neutrogena vs SK-II

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

Neutrogena and SK-II are prominent skincare brands offering reliable moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, toners, serums, and masks. The American brand, founded in 1930, utilizes glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone to suit oily acne-prone skin and acne-prone skin best, while the Japanese brand, established in 1980, centers its formulations around pitera to best suit acne-prone skin and dry skin. Both labels address specific concerns like dark spots and mature skin through targeted solutions such as sunscreens, essences, and cleansers. They differ primarily in their heritage, ownership history, and core active ingredients.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.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 Neutrogena and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Neutrogena vs SK-II products

People Say

NeutrogenaSK-II
  • Deep and intense hydration Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Quenches dry skin instantly — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Gentle and sensitive skin safe Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “calms my acne prone skin — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Skin texture improvement and anti-aging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Soft skin and radiant glow Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Face felt baby soft afterwards — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
  • Makeup compatibility and primer qualities Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Foundation glides right over it — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Concealer doesn't cake or get stuck in crevices — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-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”
  • Price versus quantity and high cost Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Jar is too small for the price — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Runs out quickly — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Tube is tiny for the cost — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Strong fragrance and scent issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Scent is so off-putting — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lack of immediate or underwhelming results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Did nothing for wrinkles — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Packaging and design concerns Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Eye holes are too small — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”

Neutrogena vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Neutrogena vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Neutrogena vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or SK-II: which is better?

Neutrogena is better for deep hydration and sensitive skin, while SK-II stands out for improving skin texture and giving a radiant glow. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi fit is High for SK-II and Average for Neutrogena.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and SK-II?

Neutrogena and SK-II are both well-known skincare brands, but the products on this page differ in their ingredients, pricing, and skin type strengths. Neutrogena offers a wider variety of affordable options featuring ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid, while SK-II centers its line around Pitera to help improve skin texture and radiance.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Neutrogena or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II achieves a Superior Lovi fit level while Neutrogena achieves a High fit level with the products on this page. SK-II provides key ingredients like Pitera, and Neutrogena helps deliver deep hydration using hyaluronic acid.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Neutrogena or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena offers deeply hydrating and lightweight moisturizers, while the products on this page for SK-II tend to provide better skin texture improvement and radiant glow.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or SK-II?

Neutrogena is generally more affordable than SK-II. Reviewers note price versus quantity and high cost as a downside for Neutrogena, but SK-II is a luxury brand with a much higher price point across its products on this page.

Between Neutrogena and SK-II, which brand is better for anti-aging and skin texture improvement?

SK-II does better for skin texture improvement and anti-aging, while Neutrogena is noted for anti-aging moisturizers among the products on this page. Retinol helps improve naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

How do the fragrance-free options compare between Neutrogena and SK-II?

Neutrogena offers 35 fragrance-free products among the 39 on its page, while every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance. Both brands feature effective formulations like hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin and improve overall skin quality.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin: Neutrogena or SK-II?

SK-II performs better for dry sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Neutrogena's Average rating. The products on this page by SK-II feature gentle, fragrance-free formulations like the Facial Treatment Essence that help deliver deep hydration without irritation.

Neutrogena or SK-II for oily skin?

Neutrogena and SK-II both offer high routine fit for oily skin based on the products on this page. Neutrogena features targeted options like the Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen with high Lovi fit for oily skin, while SK-II provides the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion and Genoptics Ultraura Essence.

Neutrogena or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Neutrogena and SK-II both feature products that achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin on this page. Reviewers note that Neutrogena does better for gentle and sensitive skin safe benefits, while every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance.

Neutrogena or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and SK-II are good options for acne-prone skin, with the products on this page achieving a High fit level for Neutrogena and a Superior fit level for SK-II. Reviewers find that SK-II tends to do better for skin texture improvement and radiant glow.

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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