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Shiseido vs SK-II

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

Shiseido and SK-II are Japanese skincare brands beloved for their thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, serums, masks, and toners. Shiseido features glycerin to suit sensitive and mature skin, while the other brand utilizes pitera to nurture acne-prone and dry skin best. Both offer standout choices for dark spots and specific needs, differing in their exact ingredient profiles and ideal skin types.

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.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 Shiseido and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Shiseido vs SK-II products

People Say

ShiseidoSK-II
  • Deep hydration Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Radiant glow and radiance 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”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
  • Luxurious texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
    • “silky texture that absorbs quickly — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Lightweight texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Smoother skin and texture Rarely 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”
    • “makes skin baby soft — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
  • Makeup compatibility and prep Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Great base for makeup — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • High price point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Expensive, pricey, high cost for the amount. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “expensive, investment piece, pricey for the amount, luxury cost — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
    • “overpowering scent, too perfumed, smell lingers, headache-inducing — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lack of results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “No change in deep wrinkles — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “No noticeable difference, not moisturizing enough on its own. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “no visible lifting, just a moisturizer, didn't erase deep wrinkles — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Shiseido vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Shiseido vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Shiseido vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Shiseido or SK-II: which is better?

Both Shiseido and SK-II are strong options, with Shiseido featuring key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid while SK-II relies on Pitera, and the products on this page help provide deep hydration and improve radiance depending on the specific routine chosen. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Shiseido and SK-II?

Shiseido and SK-II are both Japanese skincare brands, but Shiseido features glycerin and hyaluronic acid across the products on this page and is often noted for deep hydration and luxurious textures, whereas SK-II centers on Pitera and is known for lightweight textures and radiant glow. For dry skin, Lovi rates the routine fit as High for Shiseido and Superior for SK-II.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Shiseido or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands offer good options, though Lovi rates the routine fit as High for Shiseido and Superior for SK-II. The products on this page for Shiseido rely on glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while SK-II features Pitera across its line.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Shiseido or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer effective moisturizers, but the products on this page show that SK-II stands out for a lightweight texture and smoother skin, while Shiseido is often noted for deep hydration and luxurious textures. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient found in Shiseido moisturizers, helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Shiseido or SK-II?

Shiseido is often noted for a high price point among the products on this page, making SK-II generally the more affordable option.

Between Shiseido and SK-II, which brand offers better options for mature skin?

Both Shiseido and SK-II are rated High by Lovi for mature skin across the products on this page. Shiseido features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help improve skin quality, backed by findings on topical hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do Shiseido and SK-II compare regarding fragrance in their products?

Shiseido features fragrance in most of the products on this page, whereas every product from SK-II lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better for providing deep hydration based on reviewer feedback?

Shiseido performs better for providing deep hydration based on reviewer feedback.

Shiseido or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Shiseido and SK-II are good options for oily skin, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type. Shiseido features efficient cleansers and lightweight moisturizers, while SK-II offers lightweight textures that help balance oily skin.

Shiseido or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Shiseido and SK-II achieve a High Lovi routine fit for sensitive skin, but SK-II has the advantage of offering fragrance-free products on this page.

Shiseido or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II is a better fit with a Superior routine level, whereas Shiseido achieves a High routine level. SK-II features products like Genoptics Ultraura Essence that help support this skin type, while every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance.

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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