🇬🇧United Kingdom

Clinique vs SK-II

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

Clinique and SK-II are established skincare houses that offer distinct approaches to complexion care through targeted moisturizers, serums, and specialized treatments. The American brand, founded in 1968, relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to comfort dry sensitive skin and oily skin, whereas the Japanese counterpart, founded in 1980, anchors its luxurious formulations in pitera to balance dry skin and acne-prone skin. While both labels address specific concerns like dark spots and aging, they differ fundamentally in their heritage and signature ingredients.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs SK-II products

People Say

CliniqueSK-II
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Gentle for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “doesn't dry out — Clinique all about clean”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Smoother Skin and Texture Sometimes 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”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Radiance and Glow Not 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”
  • Makeup Base Compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “quite pricey — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lack of Results Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Clinique vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · £225.40 · 91% fitBuy Clinique routine · £210.11 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · £339.53 · 88% fitBuy Clinique routine · £194.06 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · £308.34 · 87% fitBuy Clinique routine · £151.87 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or SK-II: which is better?

SK-II helps provide a superior routine fit for dry skin, while both brands offer equal levels of routine fit for oily and sensitive skin.

What is the difference between Clinique and SK-II?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin, while SK-II offers superior hydration and plumping. The products on this page help improve skin texture and radiance.

Clinique or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II has a Superior routine fit while Clinique has an Average routine fit according to Lovi. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration and moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II has a superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Clinique. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulations across the products on this page.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or SK-II?

Clinique is more affordable than SK-II, although reviewers on the products on this page still note that Clinique has a high price point.

Which brand has fragrance-free products, Clinique or SK-II?

Both brands offer fragrance-free options, as every product on this page for both Clinique and SK-II lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Clinique or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Clinique and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit for oily skin with the products on this page. Reviewers note that both brands help provide lightweight hydration that may control oil without feeling heavy.

Clinique or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Clinique and SK-II are both a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Clinique is noted by reviewers as doing better for being gentle for sensitive skin, while every product on both brand pages lists no fragrance.

Clinique or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

SK-II helps acne-prone skin with a Superior routine fit, whereas the products on this page for Clinique have an Average routine fit. Reviewers note that SK-II is better for hydration and plumping, while Clinique is gentler for sensitive skin.

Clinique or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, Lovi finds both Clinique and SK-II offer a High fit level. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or SK-II for mature skin?

For mature skin, SK-II helps with hydration and plumping and gives a better radiance and glow, while Lovi rates both Clinique and SK-II at a High fit level.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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