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Medik8 vs Hada Labo

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

Medik8 and Hada Labo are distinct skincare brands designed to address diverse complexion needs. The British brand focuses on serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, while the Japanese brand is deeply loved for its thoughtful range of hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers driven by advanced formulas. Both lines suit specific concerns well, with the former suiting acne-prone, dark spot, and mature skin, and the latter suiting dry and combination skin best. They ultimately differ in their regional origins, corporate ownership histories, and overall formulation philosophies.

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

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Hada Labo products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Hada Labo products

People Say

Medik8Hada Labo
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “leaves skin soft and hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Lightweight and elegant texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “Thick serum-like — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Brightening and glow Often MentionedNot noted
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “immediate glow — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • Plumping and smoothing effect Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “smoother skin texture — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
    • “Makes my skin plump and hydrating. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
  • Fades dark spots Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Can feel sticky if over-applied — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • High price point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Slow or patience-requiring results Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “Subtle initial changes — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “takes months to see results — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Hada Labo: which is better?

Both brands offer great options, with Hada Labo winning on deep hydration while Medik8 excels in brightening and glow. Hyaluronic acid features strongly across the products on this page to help support skin quality and moisture.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medik8 and Hada Labo?

Medik8 and Hada Labo both feature hyaluronic acid across the products on this page, but Hada Labo generally excels at deep hydration while Medik8 leads in plumping and smoothing effects. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer solid moisturizers, but Hada Labo tends to provide deeper hydration, whereas Medik8 focuses more on anti-aging and plumping effects.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is more affordable, whereas reviewers often mention that Medik8 has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Medik8 or Hada Labo?

Reviewers on the products on this page note that Hada Labo may sometimes cause breakouts and clogged pores, whereas Medik8 does not share this drawback.

Which brand offers better brightening and glow according to reviews, Medik8 or Hada Labo?

According to reviews, Medik8 offers better brightening and glow compared to Hada Labo.

Which brand has more products containing fragrance, Medik8 or Hada Labo?

Medik8 has more products containing fragrance, as 11 of 12 products on the Hada Labo page list no fragrance while Medik8 includes fragrance in its Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream.

When was Hada Labo founded and who is its parent company?

Hada Labo was founded in 2004 in Japan and is owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

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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