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Medik8 vs SK-II

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

Medik8 and SK-II are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to nourishing the complexion. Medik8 provides serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, suiting dry and dry sensitive skin best while utilizing ingredients that lengthen the toxin wrinkle effect duration. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand relies on nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, clarifying toners, and gentle formulations powered by pitera to suit dry sensitive skin and combination skin through balancing and soothing properties that improve pore area, roughness, and redness. Both differ in their foundational ingredients and regional heritage, offering specific targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature concerns.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.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 Medik8 and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs SK-II products

People Say

Medik8SK-II
  • Texture and lightweight feel Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Brightening and glowing skin Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentleness and skin sensitivity Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • High price point and value Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Results timeline and effectiveness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Tackiness, oiliness, and finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · SAR 1,617.50 · 95% fitBuy SK-II routine · SAR 2,157.75 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy Medik8 routine · SAR 1,762.13 · 89% fitBuy SK-II routine · SAR 1,935.93 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Medik8 vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Medik8 routine · SAR 1,871.14 · 93% fitBuy SK-II routine · SAR 2,044.94 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but Medik8 has a Lovi fit level of Superior for dry skin compared to SK-II having a fit level of High. Medik8 helps deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which studies show benefits skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medik8 and SK-II?

Medik8 is better for gentleness and plumping, while SK-II excels in texture and brightening. Both brands offer good hydration, but Medik8 has a Superior fit for dry skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for dry skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for dry skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to the High fit from SK-II. Reviewers mention that the products on this page help deliver deep hydration and moisture.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 delivers a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to SK-II's High fit, making Medik8 the stronger choice for targeted moisture. The products on this page feature hyaluronic acid, which helps provide deep hydration.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or SK-II?

Reviewers note that both Medik8 and SK-II have a high price point, but Medik8 is more frequently associated with high price concerns among the products on this page.

Which brand performs better for brightening and glowing skin, Medik8 or SK-II?

SK-II performs better for brightening and glowing skin. Reviewers note that SK-II provides superior texture and lightweight feel alongside brightening and glowing results.

Medik8 or SK-II for oily skin?

Medik8 and SK-II are both a High fit for oily skin. Both brands offer products that help manage oiliness well, though their specific formulations and key ingredients differ.

Medik8 or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for sensitive skin, earning a Lovi fit level of Superior compared to SK-II's High. Reviewers frequently note that Medik8 offers greater gentleness and less skin sensitivity.

Medik8 or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Medik8 achieves a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, while SK-II reaches a High fit level on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Medik8 provides better gentleness and skin sensitivity, whereas SK-II offers better texture and lightweight feel.

Medik8 or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

Both brands fit dry sensitive skin well, but Lovi rates Medik8 as Superior and SK-II as High. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration for dry sensitive skin types.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or SK-II for combination skin?

For combination skin, both Medik8 and SK-II achieve a Superior fit level on this page. Reviewers note that Medik8 provides a plumping and smoothing effect, while SK-II offers a lightweight feel.

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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