SK-II vs Bayer

Questions and answers

Research behind their key ingredients

• The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer

  Nicotinamide w, Niacinamide · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

• Mechanistic Basis and Clinical Evidence for the Applications of Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) to Control Skin Aging and Pigmentation

  Niacinamide · Antioxidants, 2021

• Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders

  Panthenol, D-pantothenyl alcohol · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

• Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo

  L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, Ascorbyl glucoside · Journal of Periodontology, 2009

• Efficacy and Safety of Azelaic Acid Nanocrystal-Loaded In Situ Hydrogel in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

  Azelaic acid · Pharmaceutics, 2021

• The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study

  Glycerin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

• Randomized controlled study for the anti-aging effect of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide after laser therapy

  Niacinamide · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

• A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Study of the Efficacy of Moisturizer Containing Licochalcone A, Decanediol, L-Carnitine, and Salicylic Acid for Prevention of Acne Relapse in Asian Population

  Salicylic acid · BioMed Research International, 2020

• A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: Results from two randomized controlled studies assessing its skin moisturization and barrier restoration potential, and the effect on skin microflora

  Panthenol, D-pantothenyl alcohol · The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

• Senomorphic activity of a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: correlation with clinical improvement of skin aging

  Niacinamide · Scientific Reports, 2024

• Efficacy of a topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol for pain and inflammation control after third molar surgery: A randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial

  D-pantothenyl alcohol · Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020

• Daily Fluctuation of Facial Pore Area, Roughness and Redness among Young Japanese Women; Beneficial Effects of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Containing Antioxidative Skin Care Formula

  Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera essence, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate, Sk-ii pitera concentrate, Pitera · Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021

• Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized study

  Salicylic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

• A Salicylic Acid-Based Dermocosmetic is Effective as an Adjunct to Benzoyl Peroxide for Mild to Moderate Acne and as Monotherapy in Maintenance Post Benzoyl Peroxide

  Salicylic acid · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

• Effects of 15% Azelaic Acid Gel in the Management of Post-Inflammatory Erythema and Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Acne Vulgaris

  Azelaic acid · Dermatology and Therapy, 2024

• Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-undecyl-10-enoyl-L-phenylalanine and its combination with niacinamide

  Undecylenoyl phenylalanine · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2009

• The usefulness of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid for maintenance phase of adult female acne: Results from a randomized exploratory investigator-blinded comparative study

  Azelaic acid · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023

• Inhibitory effects of shell of Camellia oleifera Abel extract on mushroom tyrosinase and human skin melanin

  Butylene glycol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

• A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of a preparation containing undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2% in the treatment of solar lentigines

  Undecylenoyl phenylalanine · Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2010

• Influence of vitamin E acetate on stratum corneum hydration

  Tocopheryl acetate · Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998

• Enhanced Fluctuations in Facial Pore Size, Redness, and TEWL Caused by Mask Usage Are Normalized by the Application of a Moisturizer

  Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera essence, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate, Sk-ii pitera concentrate, Pitera · Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022

• Three clinical studies showing the anti-aging benefits of sodium salicylate in human skin

  Sodium salicylate · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

• Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study

  Panthenol, D-pantothenyl alcohol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

• Glycerol crosslinked vitamin E loaded xanthan gum and gellan gum nanoemulgels for topical management of dry skin

  Xanthan gum · International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025

• A Double-Blind, 12-Week Study to Evaluate the Antiaging Efficacy of a Cream Containing the NFκB Inhibitor 4-Hexyl-1, 3-Phenylenediol and Ascorbic Acid-2 Glucoside in Adult Females

  L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, Ascorbyl glucoside · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016

• Significant Reversal of Facial Wrinkle, Pigmented Spot and Roughness by Daily Application of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate-Containing Skin Products for 12 Months-An 11-Year Longitudinal Skin Aging Rejuvenation Study

  Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Pitera essence, Pitera ferment filtrate galactomyces ferment filtrate, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera ferment filtrate, Pitera · Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023

• Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos

  L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, Ascorbyl glucoside · International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024

• The Effectiveness of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Dexpanthenol, and Centella Asiatica Combination Serum in the Treatment of Post-Acne Hyperpigmentation in Subjects with Skin of Color

  Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Sk-ii pitera concentrate, Galactomyces ferment filtrate pitera ferment filtrate · Skinmed, 2021

• Clinical Efficacy of Topical Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside in Enhancing Outcomes of Laser Gingival Depigmentation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

  Ascorbyl glucoside · Cureus, 2026

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.