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Dermalogica vs Elemis

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

Dermalogica and Elemis are established transatlantic skincare brands founded in the late 1980s. The American brand is cherished for targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks enriched with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, while the British brand is loved for expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners enriched with glycerin and shea butter. Both lines suit sensitive and dry skin best, though Dermalogica additionally addresses oily and aging skin, and Elemis accommodates balanced skin. Ultimately, the brands differ through their distinct heritage, targeted ingredient profiles, and specific formulation approaches.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Dermalogica and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Dermalogica vs Elemis products

People Say

DermalogicaElemis
  • Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Effective Cleansing and Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes stubborn mascara — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Benefits Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “eyelids look firmer and lifted — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
    • “fine lines have visibly softened — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
    • “My neck doesn't sag... plumps my skin to look more youthful. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “less lines and ripples — Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment”
  • Pleasant Spa Scent Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Skin Irritation and Reactions Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Too thick for day — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Unpleasant or Strong Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smells like medicine — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”

Dermalogica vs Elemis moisturizers

Dermalogica vs Elemis serums and treatments

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or Elemis: which is better?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis perform equally well across major categories like deep hydration, gentle exfoliation, effective cleansing, and anti-aging benefits, though Elemis is noted for a more pleasant spa scent. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Dermalogica and Elemis?

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand with every product on this page listing no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Elemis is a British brand featuring fragrance in most of its products on this page. Reviewers note that Elemis has a pleasant spa scent while Dermalogica focuses on fragrance-free formulations.

Dermalogica or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis offer cleansers that provide equal effective cleansing and makeup removal. Dermalogica features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid, whereas Elemis cleansers often include added fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or Elemis?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis have a high price point, so neither stands out as more affordable.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Dermalogica or Elemis?

Both brands are equal when it comes to skin irritation and reactions, but neither page specifically highlights breaking out as a review theme. Both offer products that fit acne-prone skin well at a High or Superior level, such as Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant and Elemis's Papaya Enzyme Peel.

Dermalogica or Elemis: which brand offers a better selection of fragrance-free products?

Dermalogica offers a better selection of fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, Elemis has fragrance listed in the majority of its products on this page.

Dermalogica or Elemis: which company has been in business longer and where were they founded?

Dermalogica has been in business longer, having been founded in the United States in 1986, whereas Elemis was founded in the United Kingdom in 1989.

Dermalogica or Elemis: which brand uses key ingredients like Hyaluronic acid and Salicylic acid across its products?

Dermalogica uses key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid across its products, whereas Elemis products on this page rely mainly on glycerin and shea butter. Both brands frequently mention high price points as a drawback.

Dermalogica or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis offer effective moisturizers, with reviewers frequently praising both brands for providing deep hydration and moisture. When it comes to specific formulas, the products on this page help improve skin quality and signs of aging with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

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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