🇬🇧United Kingdom

Good Molecules vs SK-II

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

Good Molecules and SK-II are skincare brands founded in America in 2019 and Japan in 1980, respectively. Good Molecules offers thoughtful serums, moisturizers, eye products, and exfoliants centered around glycerin and hyaluronic acid, whereas SK-II provides luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. Both brands suit dry skin, while the former also serves skin with dark spots and the latter addresses acne-prone skin. They differ in their active components and foundational ingredients, as the American brand relies on glycerin and hyaluronic acid to improve hydration, restore barrier function, and lengthen wrinkle-reducing effects, while the Japanese brand utilizes pitera to actively improve pore area, roughness, and redness.

Good Molecules is an American skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc..

beautymatter.comgoodmolecules.compitchbook.compreqin.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 Good Molecules and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Good Molecules vs SK-II products

People Say

Good MoleculesSK-II
  • Texture and Consistency Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “practically invisible on skin — Good Molecules PIMPLE PATCHES”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Advanced Performance and Extras Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “scar on your chin doesn't look nearly as noticeable — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Value and Pricing Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “best value for money — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “great value — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
  • Brightening 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”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner”
  • 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”
    • “skin appears smooth and supple — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Care Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “Non-abrasive, suitable for sensitive skin, no stinging — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
    • “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying — Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • High Price and Cost Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow or Ineffective Results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't really see a difference — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “dried my skin out — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Scent and Fragrance Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Strong bergamot smell — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “weird faint smell — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “smelled of glycolic acid — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy Good Molecules routine · £93.06 · 92% fitBuy SK-II routine · £225.40 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy Good Molecules routine · £187.96 · 89% fitBuy SK-II routine · £339.53 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Good Molecules vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Good Molecules routine · £170.27 · 89% fitBuy SK-II routine · £308.34 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Good Molecules or SK-II: which is better?

Good Molecules and SK-II both do well, but Good Molecules is a better fit for value and gentle care, while SK-II does better for brightening, hydration, and advanced performance. For sensitive skin and acne-prone skin, Lovi gives Good Molecules a Superior fit, compared to a High fit for SK-II.

What is the difference between Good Molecules and SK-II?

Good Molecules and SK-II differ mainly in their pricing, ingredient focus, and performance strengths, with Good Molecules offering affordable options that reviewers note for gentle and budget-friendly care, while SK-II delivers advanced performance with key ingredients like Pitera that reviewers favor for brightening and hydration.

Good Molecules or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Good Molecules and SK-II achieve a Superior fit level for dry skin on Lovi. Good Molecules offers affordable and hydrating moisturizers, while SK-II uses its signature Pitera to help provide deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Good Molecules or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Good Molecules and SK-II offer moisturizers, with Good Molecules providing affordable and hydrating options and SK-II performing well in hydration and plumping.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Good Molecules or SK-II?

Good Molecules is more affordable than SK-II, as the products on this page offer better value and pricing.

Between Good Molecules and SK-II, which brand performs better for brightening and radiance?

SK-II performs better for brightening and radiance according to the reviewer themes on the page. Both brands offer products that help improve skin appearance, but SK-II leads in this specific category.

Which skincare brand was founded earlier, Good Molecules or SK-II?

SK-II was founded earlier in 1980 in Japan, while Good Molecules was founded in 2019 in the United States.

Do either Good Molecules or SK-II products contain fragrance?

Every product on this page for both Good Molecules and SK-II lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Good Molecules or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Good Molecules and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level on this page. Reviewers note that Good Molecules brings better value and pricing, while SK-II delivers stronger performance in hydration and brightening.

Good Molecules or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Good Molecules is a better fit because Lovi rates its routine as Superior while SK-II is High. Reviewers note that Good Molecules offers very gentle serums, and every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Good Molecules or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Good Molecules has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, while SK-II achieves a High routine fit on Lovi. Reviewers note that Good Molecules helps provide very gentle serums.

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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