🇬🇧United Kingdom

Dermalogica vs Elemis

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

Dermalogica and Elemis are established skincare brands known for crafting targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining treatments. The American brand utilizes hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid to best suit oily and combination skin, while the British counterpart relies on glycerin and shea to deeply restore dry and mature skin. Both offer standout solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and aging concerns, yet they ultimately differ in their key botanical ingredients and optimal skin type pairings.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Dermalogica vs Elemis products

People Say

DermalogicaElemis
  • Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Effective Cleansing and Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes stubborn mascara — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Benefits Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “eyelids look firmer and lifted — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
    • “fine lines have visibly softened — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
    • “My neck doesn't sag... plumps my skin to look more youthful. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “less lines and ripples — Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment”
  • Pleasant Spa Scent Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Skin Irritation and Reactions Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Too thick for day — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Unpleasant or Strong Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smells like medicine — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”

Dermalogica vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy Elemis routine · £324.88 · 88% fitBuy Dermalogica routine · £244.49 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Dermalogica vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy Dermalogica routine · £375.97 · 90% fitBuy Elemis routine · £290.16 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Dermalogica vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy Dermalogica routine · £431.36 · 90% fitBuy Elemis routine · £263.56 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or Elemis: which is better?

Dermalogica fits oily and combination skin better with Superior routine levels, whereas Elemis fits best for dry and mature skin. Both brands tie at High routine fit levels for sensitive, acne-prone, and dry sensitive skin types.

What is the difference between Dermalogica and Elemis?

Dermalogica fits oily and combination skin with a Superior routine, while Elemis reaches a High routine level for those skin types. Every product on the Dermalogica page lists no fragrance, whereas 18 of 22 Elemis products on this page list fragrance.

Dermalogica or Elemis for dry skin?

For dry skin, both Dermalogica and Elemis reach a High routine fit level on this page. Reviewers report that topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dermalogica or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis offer cleansers that fit sensitive skin at a High level on this page. Dermalogica cleansers are fragrance-free, while most Elemis cleansers on this page contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or Elemis?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis have a high price point, so neither brand is more affordable.

Which brand has fragrance-free products, Dermalogica or Elemis?

Dermalogica features fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, Elemis has fragrance in 18 of its 22 products on the page, with only 4 products listing no fragrance.

Dermalogica or Elemis for oily skin?

Dermalogica is the better fit for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to Elemis at High. Every product on the Dermalogica page lists no fragrance, which helps reduce the risk of irritation for oily and breakout-prone skin.

Dermalogica or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis offer moisturizers with a high routine fit for dry skin, though they cater to different preferences. Dermalogica features fragrance-free options like Stabilizing Repair Cream, which has a Superior fit for dry sensitive skin, whereas Elemis offers products like Pro-Collagen Marine Cream with a High fit for dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dermalogica or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis fit sensitive skin at a High level. Every product on the Dermalogica page lists no fragrance, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance.

Dermalogica or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Dermalogica fits acne-prone skin with a High level, while Elemis fits it with a High level. Both brands offer equal routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page.

Dermalogica or Elemis for mature skin?

Both Dermalogica and Elemis have a High routine fit for mature skin. Dermalogica focuses on fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and retinol, while Elemis leans toward luxury spa scents and formulations featuring glycerin and shea butter.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dermalogica or Elemis for combination skin?

For combination skin, Dermalogica achieves a Superior routine fit level while Elemis reaches a High fit level. Every Dermalogica product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas most Elemis products contain 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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