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CeraVe vs Kiehl's

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

CeraVe and Kiehl's are American skincare brands offering thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, toners, and eye products. The first brand is known for formulations featuring hyaluronic acid and glycerin that suit acne-prone skin and combination skin best. Conversely, the second brand features glycerin and squalane to best suit skin with dark spots and dry skin. They differ primarily in their targeted concerns and key ingredients, with each utilizing distinct components to support hydration and barrier function.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

Kiehl's is an American skincare brand founded in 1851 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000.

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular CeraVe vs Kiehl's products

People Say

CeraVeKiehl's
  • Fragrance-free and gentle formulas Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “works on dark skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
  • Improving skin texture and acne marks Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels smoother — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Oil control and acne clearing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “keeps my oils at bay — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
  • Brightening and complexion enhancement Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “woke up glowing — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “skin is literally glowing — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
  • Price point and value concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Texture and consistency issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “too radiant for oily skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “leaves a tacky film — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
  • Breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “developed tiny white bumps — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · AED 400.41 · 89% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · AED 1,652.44 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · AED 864.04 · 86% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · AED 1,609.62 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · AED 850.34 · 93% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · AED 1,639.74 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which is better?

CeraVe is generally better for fragrance-free gentle care, oil control, and acne-prone or combination skin, where Lovi rates its routines as Superior, whereas Kiehl's performs well for brightening and offers comparable fit levels for dry and sensitive skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between CeraVe and Kiehl's?

CeraVe focuses on fragrance-free formulas with essential ceramides and niacinamide that help repair the skin barrier, while Kiehl's features a wider variety of botanical ingredients and targeted serums. CeraVe achieves superior Lovi fit levels for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots compared to Kiehl's. Additionally, CeraVe products on this page list no fragrance, whereas two Kiehl's moisturizers include fragrance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Kiehl's for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's are great options for dry skin, as the routine fit level for the products on this page is High for both brands. CeraVe formulas help repair the skin barrier using ceramides, while Kiehl's products provide deep hydration with ingredients like glycerin and squalane.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers than Kiehl's for sensitive and acne-prone skin types. The products on this page are fragrance-free and feature gentle ingredients like ceramides and salicylic acid, which help clean the skin without stripping its natural barrier.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Kiehl's?

CeraVe is generally more affordable, whereas Kiehl's is frequently noted by reviewers for its high price point. CeraVe offers budget-friendly products on this page, while Kiehl's operates at a higher price tier.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which brand is better for tackling dark spots and brightening the complexion?

CeraVe offers Superior Lovi fit for skin with dark spots, whereas Kiehl's is rated High. Furthermore, Kiehl's does better for brightening and complexion enhancement according to reviewer themes, while every CeraVe product lists no fragrance. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which brand offers entirely fragrance-free products across its entire line?

CeraVe offers entirely fragrance-free products across the products on this page, whereas Kiehl's includes fragrance in a couple of items. This makes CeraVe a better fit for those seeking completely scent-free routines.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which brand is better suited for combination skin?

CeraVe has a Superior fit for combination skin, whereas Kiehl's has a High fit on this page. CeraVe offers fragrance-free and gentle formulas, while both brands deliver deep hydration and lightweight textures.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's achieve a High Lovi fit level for oily skin based on the products on this page. CeraVe tends to offer better oil control and fragrance-free formulas, while Kiehl's provides deeply hydrating options with key ingredients like glycerin.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which moisturizer is better?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's offer excellent moisturizers, but CeraVe stands out with fragrance-free formulas and ceramides that help repair the skin barrier. Kiehl's also provides deeply hydrating options with key ingredients like glycerin and squalane.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's are good options for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both brands at a High level for this skin type. CeraVe products on this page list no fragrance, which may help minimize irritation.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe offers better-rated sunscreens overall on this page, with superior fit levels for mature skin, dry skin, and dry sensitive skin. Kiehl's sunscreen also provides solid options, but CeraVe products on this page are entirely fragrance-free, which helps minimize irritation risks for sensitive users.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better, achieving a Superior Lovi fit level compared to Kiehl's Average fit level on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation, and ceramides help support the skin barrier.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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