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Cetaphil vs SK-II

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

Cetaphil and SK-II are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. The American brand features cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens with glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol to suit combination and acne-prone skin, while the Japanese brand provides nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, and clarifying toners powered by pitera for dry sensitive and combination skin. Both lines address targeted concerns like dark spots and mature skin, yet they differ fundamentally through their heritage, signature formulations, and primary active ingredients.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs SK-II products

People Say

CetaphilSK-II
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Skin smoothing and softening Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Improves texture and radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Brightening and complexion Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Contains fragrance, methylparaben, and benzyl alcohol. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Caused breakouts, small bumps, redness/irritation, fungal acne trigger. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Face burns — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Chemical or unusual smell Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “has a slight chemical scent — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “Smell is too strong like chemical extract — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
    • “Smells like hospital soap. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · SAR 1,005.89 · 84% fitBuy SK-II routine · SAR 2,157.75 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 1,935.93 · 89% fitBuy Cetaphil routine · SAR 1,557.81 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,044.94 · 90% fitBuy Cetaphil routine · SAR 1,277.09 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but SK-II does better for skin smoothing, texture, and brightening, while Cetaphil is more gentle on sensitive skin. The products on this page help deliver effective daily care depending on whether you prioritize anti-aging results or budget-friendly, non-stripping hydration.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and SK-II?

Cetaphil and SK-II are skincare brands with different origins, key ingredients, and strengths, as Cetaphil features key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help soothe sensitive skin, while SK-II uses Pitera to help improve skin texture and radiance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Cetaphil and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page help hydrate and moisturize the skin equally well, though Cetaphil is particularly noted for being gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers for different skin needs, with Cetaphil leaning toward gentle hydration and SK-II focusing on texture and radiance. For dry skin, the products on this page provide an equal level of fit, while SK-II holds a superior fit level for combination skin, acne-prone skin, and dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or SK-II?

Cetaphil is more affordable than SK-II, while SK-II's reviewers note a high price point is a drawback for Cetaphil products on this page.

Cetaphil or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Cetaphil and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin. The products on this page help provide suitable daily care for this skin type without added fragrance.

Cetaphil or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Cetaphil and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil tends to do better for being gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II has a Superior routine fit, while Cetaphil is rated High. Reviewers note that SK-II is better for improving texture and radiance, whereas Cetaphil features gentle, non-stripping cleansers.

Cetaphil or SK-II for combination skin?

For combination skin, SK-II reaches a Superior Lovi fit level while Cetaphil achieves a High Lovi fit level. Reviewers indicate that SK-II performs better for skin smoothing and softening, improving texture and radiance, and brightening and complexion.

Cetaphil or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

Both brands are a High fit for skin with dark spots, with review themes showing SK-II does better for brightening and complexion while Cetaphil is noted for having a high price point and lack of results. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or SK-II for mature skin?

Both Cetaphil and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for mature skin. The products on this page help improve skin quality and hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

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