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Shiseido vs SK-II

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

Shiseido and SK-II are Japanese skincare brands beloved for their thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, serums, masks, and toners. The first brand relies on key ingredients like glycerin and suits sensitive and mature skin best with gentle daily care, while the second brand is adored for signature pitera formulations and suits dry and dry sensitive skin best with deeply nourishing properties. Both offer standout solutions for concerns like acne-prone skin, dark spots, and aging, yet they differ because their key ingredients work through distinct clinical pathways to improve hydration and promote a balanced complexion.

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.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 Shiseido and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Shiseido vs SK-II products

People Say

ShiseidoSK-II
  • Deep hydration Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Radiant glow and radiance Sometimes 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”
    • “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
  • Luxurious texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
    • “silky texture that absorbs quickly — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Lightweight texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Smoother skin and texture Rarely 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”
    • “makes skin baby soft — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
  • Makeup compatibility and prep Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Great base for makeup — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • High price point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Expensive, pricey, high cost for the amount. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “expensive, investment piece, pricey for the amount, luxury cost — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
    • “overpowering scent, too perfumed, smell lingers, headache-inducing — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lack of results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “No change in deep wrinkles — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “No noticeable difference, not moisturizing enough on its own. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “no visible lifting, just a moisturizer, didn't erase deep wrinkles — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Shiseido vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$606.78 · 93% fitBuy Shiseido routine · S$256.58 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Shiseido vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$820.58 · 88% fitBuy Shiseido routine · S$355.43 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Shiseido vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$716.48 · 89% fitBuy Shiseido routine · S$355.43 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Shiseido or SK-II: which is better?

Shiseido and SK-II are both strong choices, with Shiseido achieving a High fit for dry sensitive skin and SK-II achieving a Superior fit. Reviewers note that the products on this page by Shiseido offer deep hydration and luxurious textures, while SK-II provides a lightweight texture and radiant glow.

What is the difference between Shiseido and SK-II?

Shiseido is known for deep hydration and luxurious textures using ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while SK-II focuses on lightweight hydration and radiant glow powered by Pitera. Shiseido products on this page often feature added fragrance, whereas every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Shiseido or SK-II for dry skin?

SK-II is the better choice for dry skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior while Shiseido's is Average. The products on this page from SK-II also offer fragrance-free formulations, whereas many Shiseido products contain added fragrance.

Shiseido or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II offers superior daily hydration and lightweight comfort for dry skin with products like Facial Treatment Essence, while Shiseido provides rich, targeted moisturizers containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Shiseido or SK-II?

Shiseido is noted for having a high price point among the products on this page, while pricing comparisons are not specified for SK-II.

How do Shiseido and SK-II compare regarding fragrance in their products?

Shiseido features fragrance in the majority of the products on this page, whereas every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand offers better deep hydration, Shiseido or SK-II?

Shiseido offers better deep hydration compared to SK-II according to the reviewer themes on this page.

What are the key ingredients featured across Shiseido and SK-II skincare products?

Shiseido features glycerin and hyaluronic acid across the products on this page, while SK-II features pitera. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Shiseido or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Shiseido and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for oily skin based on the products on this page. Shiseido provides deep-cleansing and efficient cleansers, while SK-II offers a lightweight texture.

Shiseido or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Shiseido and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin based on the products on this page. Shiseido features options with key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid that reviewers note for deep hydration, while every product from SK-II lists no fragrance.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Shiseido or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Shiseido and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. SK-II features fragrance-free formulas, whereas Shiseido products on this page frequently include fragrance.

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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