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Clinique vs SK-II

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

Clinique and SK-II are established skincare houses recognized for gentle, highly researched formulations. The American brand offers thoughtful moisturizers, serums, and makeup removers powered by hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine, while the Japanese counterpart is cherished for nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, and clarifying toners centered on pitera. Both suit dry sensitive skin best, though the former also targets oily skin with its balancing ingredients, and the latter accommodates combination skin. Ultimately, they differ in their heritage and signature actives, offering distinct paths to refined, resilient skin.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs SK-II products

People Say

CliniqueSK-II
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Gentle for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “doesn't dry out — Clinique all about clean”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Smoother Skin and Texture 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 feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Radiance and Glow Not 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”
  • Makeup Base Compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “quite pricey — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lack of Results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Clinique vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,157.75 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · SAR 1,700.45 · 66% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 1,935.93 · 89% fitBuy Clinique routine · SAR 1,198.78 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,044.94 · 90% fitBuy Clinique routine · SAR 1,205.12 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands are great, but SK-II tends to win out for hydration, anti-aging, and overall glow, while Clinique is often preferred for being gentle on sensitive skin and budget-friendliness. Lovi rates SK-II as Superior for combination and acne-prone skin, and Clinique as High for dry sensitive, sensitive, and oily skin.

What is the difference between Clinique and SK-II?

Clinique is known for offering fragrance-free options and is rated High for sensitive skin, while SK-II features Pitera as a key ingredient and achieves a Superior routine fit for dry sensitive skin and combination skin.

Clinique or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II achieves a High routine fit while Clinique reaches an Average fit, making SK-II the better option. The products on this page from SK-II also tend to provide stronger hydration and plumping benefits. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured in the products on this page, helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II offers superior routine fit for dry skin and combination skin on this page, while both brands feature lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or SK-II?

Reviewers note that Clinique has a high price point, but the products on this page do not provide a direct price comparison to determine which brand is more affordable.

Which brand is better for mature skin, Clinique or SK-II?

Both Clinique and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level for mature skin, with SK-II doing better on reviews for hydration and plumping, radiance and glow, and smoother skin and texture.

Clinique or SK-II for treating skin with dark spots?

SK-II is the better choice for treating skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this concern compared to Clinique's Average fit.

Clinique or SK-II for oily skin?

Clinique and SK-II are both a High fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide oil-controlling and smoothing benefits for your complexion.

Clinique or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and SK-II offer a high Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, making them great choices. Reviewers note that Clinique is especially gentle for sensitive skin, while every product across the routines for both brands on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Clinique or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II is a better fit with a Superior routine level compared to Clinique's Average level, though reviewers note that SK-II sometimes causes breakouts. Both brands offer fragrance-free products on this page.

Clinique or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, Lovi finds that SK-II has a Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's High fit level. The products on this page for both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients, and hyaluronic acid helps hydrate dry skin.

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

How does it fit your skin?

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