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SK-II vs Aēsop

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

SK-II and Aēsop are renowned skincare brands offering thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, nourishing serums, and restorative treatments designed to nurture various complexions. The Japanese brand is anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera, and suits acne-prone skin and dry skin best through targeted solutions like the Genoptics Ultraura Essence and the Facial Treatment Essence. Conversely, the botanical-driven brand suits balanced, combination, and sensitive skin best with gentle compositions like the B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel and the Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum. While both achieve overall skin health and resilience through regular application, they differ in their foundational ingredients and specific skin-type alignments.

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

Popular SK-II vs Aēsop products

People Say

SK-IIAēsop
  • Hydration and Balance Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “woke up with baby-soft skin — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
    • “Intensely hydrating yet mattifying effect. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
    • “Savior of my winter-fueled dry skin. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “absorbs well into the skin — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
  • Radiance and Glow Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Skin appears to be brighter, more radiant. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
  • Gentle Formula and Soothing Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “saved my skin — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
    • “Reduces inflammation overnight. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
    • “I used to have severe flaking... but after using this product, it's disappeared. — Aēsop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Pleasant Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells divine — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
    • “Soft herbal scent that feels fresh and floral. — Aēsop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser”
    • “Subtle rose fragrance, spa-like scent, not overpowering. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Cleansing and Makeup Removal Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft after cleansing. — Aēsop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “quantity is too small — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
    • “The price is quite steep. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
  • Skin Reactions and Breakouts Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Thick, almost honey-like, and needs a moment to melt in. — Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel”
  • Scent and Fragrance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “smells like carrots — Aēsop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment”
    • “Nasty smell... would not buy again. — Aēsop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser”
  • Lack of Results Often MentionedNot noted
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Questions and answers

SK-II or Aēsop: which is better?

Both brands have their strengths, with SK-II performing better for texture, absorption, radiance, and glow, while Aēsop excels in hydration, balance, gentle soothing, and cleansing. Reviewers often mention Aēsop's luxurious scents and deep hydration, though its products carry a high price.

What is the difference between SK-II and Aēsop?

SK-II and Aēsop differ in their strengths, as review themes show that SK-II does better for texture, absorption, radiance, and glow, while Aēsop excels in hydration, balance, gentle formulas, soothing, and scents.

SK-II or Aēsop: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, both brands offer good choices, but SK-II has a High Lovi fit for dry skin with products like Facial Treatment Essence and Skinpower Advanced Cream. Aēsop also provides great options, with B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel reaching a High Lovi fit for combination and acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Aēsop?

When comparing the products on this page, both SK-II and Aēsop have a high price, so neither brand is more affordable.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or Aēsop?

Aēsop does better than SK-II for skin reactions and breakouts according to review themes on this page. SK-II's products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

How do the founding years and current parent companies of SK-II and Aēsop compare?

SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991, whereas Aēsop was founded in 1987 and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe as of 2023.

Which brand performs better for hydration and balance according to reviewer themes?

Aesop performs better for hydration and balance according to reviewer themes, offering deep hydration and balancing moisturizers. Lovi gives its products on this page a High fit for dry and combination skin types.

Do any of the products from SK-II or Aēsop contain added fragrance in their ingredients?

None of the products on this page for either SK-II or Aēsop contain added fragrance in their ingredients.

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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