🇬🇧United Kingdom

Cetaphil vs SK-II

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

Cetaphil and SK-II are prominent skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care, with the American label founded in 1947 by Galderma Group AG and the Japanese counterpart established in 1980 under The Procter & Gamble Company. The former is widely loved for thoughtful cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens formulated with glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol to best suit combination and sensitive skin. Conversely, the latter is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera, which primarily suit dry and acne-prone skin. While both provide targeted solutions for concerns like dark spots and aging, they differ fundamentally in their heritage, core ingredients, and ideal skin types.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs SK-II products

People Say

CetaphilSK-II
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Skin smoothing and softening Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Improves texture and radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Brightening and complexion Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Contains fragrance, methylparaben, and benzyl alcohol. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Caused breakouts, small bumps, redness/irritation, fungal acne trigger. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Face burns — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Chemical or unusual smell Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “has a slight chemical scent — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “Smell is too strong like chemical extract — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
    • “Smells like hospital soap. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · £225.40 · 91% fitBuy Cetaphil routine · £92.66 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · £339.53 · 88% fitBuy Cetaphil routine · £191.77 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · £172.93 · 88% fitBuy SK-II routine · £308.34 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands offer solid options depending on your budget and goals, with Cetaphil being gentler on sensitive skin and SK-II performing better for skin smoothing and softening. The products on this page help provide hydration and moisture equally, though Cetaphil features key ingredients like niacinamide which helps reduce pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Cetaphil and SK-II?

Cetaphil and SK-II differ in their brand focus, routine fit, and review themes. Cetaphil is better for sensitive skin, while SK-II performs better in skin smoothing and softening, improving texture and radiance, and brightening and complexion. Additionally, the routine fit for dry skin is High for Cetaphil and Superior for SK-II.

Cetaphil or SK-II for dry skin?

SK-II has a superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Cetaphil, which has a high routine fit. SK-II features key ingredients like Pitera, while Cetaphil products on this page help hydrate with ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil and SK-II both offer moisturizers with varying fit levels depending on your skin type. For dry skin, SK-II achieves a superior routine fit compared to Cetaphil. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or SK-II?

Cetaphil is more affordable, while SK-II falls under a high price point.

Between Cetaphil and SK-II, which brand is gentler on sensitive skin according to reviewers?

According to reviewers, Cetaphil does better than SK-II at being gentle on sensitive skin.

Which brand uses Pitera as a key ingredient across its products, Cetaphil or SK-II?

SK-II uses Pitera as a key ingredient across the products on this page.

How do the founding years and home countries of Cetaphil and SK-II compare?

Cetaphil was founded in 1947 in the United States, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan.

Cetaphil or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Cetaphil and SK-II achieve a high routine fit for oily skin, but Cetaphil offers dedicated products like the Daily Facial Cleanser and Oily Skin Cleanser that suit this skin type. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation, which may benefit oily skin care routines.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both brands are great choices for sensitive skin, but Cetaphil is especially known for being gentle on sensitive skin. The products on this page list no fragrance for SK-II, and almost all Cetaphil products also omit fragrance.

Cetaphil or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi rating Cetaphil High and SK-II High. Cetaphil features key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin across the products on this page, while SK-II centers on Pitera.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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