🇬🇧United Kingdom

Some By Mi vs SK-II

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

Some By Mi and SK-II are established skincare names, with the former being a Korean brand founded in 2016 and the latter a Japanese brand founded in 1980. Some By Mi offers serums, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers built around niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid, while the brand is best suited for dry sensitive skin and sensitive skin. Conversely, the Japanese brand is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera, and its formulations suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. While both brands address issues like dark spots and aging, they differ significantly in their founding heritage, signature components, and specific target audiences.

Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.

kedglobal.compreqin.comtracxn.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 Some By Mi and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Some By Mi vs SK-II products

People Say

Some By MiSK-II
  • Hydrating and Lightweight Formulations Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Surprisingly gentle — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
  • Gentleness and Sensitivity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “doesn't strip dry my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “didn't find this irritating — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Reduces pimples — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “cleared my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
    • “flattened my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
  • Refreshing and Soothing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Calmed my retinol burn overnight — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “nice cooling effect — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
    • “calmed my angry red skin — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
  • Product Value and Pricing Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Too expensive for 50ml — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Scents and Fragrance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Fermented smell — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
  • Overhyped and Slow Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't do much for old scars — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
    • “not noticed any significant changes — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Dryness and Dehydration Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”

Some By Mi vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy Some By Mi routine · £90.42 · 91% fitBuy SK-II routine · £225.40 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Some By Mi vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · £339.53 · 88% fitBuy Some By Mi routine · £120.03 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Some By Mi vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Some By Mi routine · £126.95 · 88% fitBuy SK-II routine · £308.34 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Some By Mi or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands are great choices, but they excel in different areas based on your skin's needs. Lovi shows that Some By Mi is better suited for sensitive skin, acne control, and dark spots, while SK-II stands out for hydrating and brightening formulations.

What is the difference between Some By Mi and SK-II?

Some By Mi is a South Korean brand focused on acne and blemish control and gentleness, whereas SK-II is a Japanese brand that tends to perform better for hydrating, lightweight formulations, and brightening. For Lovi fit levels, Some By Mi achieves a Superior fit for sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and dry sensitive skin, while SK-II reaches a High fit for those same skin types.

Some By Mi or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Some By Mi and SK-II achieve a superior routine fit for dry skin. Reviewers indicate that Some By Mi products on this page often feature niacinamide and centella asiatica, while SK-II relies on pitera.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Some By Mi and SK-II offer highly rated moisturizers on this page, such as the Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream and the Facial Treatment Essence. Reviewers and Lovi fit levels show that SK-II delivers superior hydrating and lightweight formulations, while Some By Mi provides excellent texture moisturizers that may help with brightening and acne-prone skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or SK-II?

Some By Mi is more affordable than SK-II, as reviewers often note pricing as a key advantage for the brand.

Some By Mi or SK-II for brightening and glow?

SK-II does better for brightening and glow among the products on this page. Niacinamide helps Some By Mi with complexion brightening too.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand is better for addressing dark spots, Some By Mi or SK-II?

Some By Mi is better for addressing dark spots, offering superior fit levels for skin with dark spots on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and manage skin aging.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Do Some By Mi and SK-II products contain fragrance?

Some By Mi and SK-II products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Some By Mi or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Some By Mi and SK-II are good options for oily skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. Reviewers note that the products on this page help provide effective acne-clearing treatments and deep pore cleansing.

Some By Mi or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Some By Mi is a better fit for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to SK-II's High level. Reviewers also note that Some By Mi does better in gentleness and sensitivity.

Some By Mi or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Some By Mi and SK-II both fit acne-prone skin well at a High level. Reviewers note that Some By Mi does better for acne and blemish control.

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

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