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Kiehl's vs ISDIN

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

Kiehl's and ISDIN are well-established skincare brands that offer thoughtful selections of moisturizers, serums, and eye products. The American brand relies on glycerin and squalane to support dry skin and dark spots, while the Spanish brand crafts sophisticated formulas that suit acne-prone skin and combination skin best. Although both provide targeted solutions for mature skin and other specific concerns, the former centers its approach on deep hydration and barrier restoration, whereas the latter delivers reliable, gentle efficacy through daily use.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

ISDIN is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by Puig.

puig.combeautymatter.comuploads.puig.com

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

Popular Kiehl's vs ISDIN products

People Say

Kiehl'sISDIN
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “Lightweight formula absorbs fast — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Friendly Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “doesn't sting eyes — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Deep and Intense Hydration Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
    • “savior for dry patches — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “acts like a primer — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “Great under makeup — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
  • Skin Barrier and Texture Improvement Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels smoother — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “skin looked & felt smoother — Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
    • “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Brightening and Dark Spot Fading Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “faded acne scars — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
  • High Price and Value Issues Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Very expensive product — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “My only wish is that ISDIN would make this product in a bigger size bottle. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
  • Unpleasant Scent and Fragrance Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells clinical — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “faint lab smell — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “smell is overpowering — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Ineffective or Slow Results Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “don't see result — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “no noticeable changes yet — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “Did absolutely nothing — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
  • Burning, Stinging, and Irritation Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “burned my face immediately — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
    • “stings my face and feels like burning — Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
    • “this did make my eyes water water in the sun. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “mild redness or irritation — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”

Kiehl's vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

Buy ISDIN routine · AED 739.63 · 88% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · AED 1,652.44 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Kiehl's vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

Buy ISDIN routine · AED 1,222.86 · 91% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · AED 1,609.62 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Kiehl's vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

Buy ISDIN routine · AED 1,204.50 · 92% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · AED 1,639.74 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or ISDIN: which is better?

ISDIN is superior for acne-prone, oily, sensitive, and mature skin types, whereas Kiehl's excels in providing deep hydration and improving skin texture. Both brands offer high routine fit levels for dry and dry sensitive skin.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and ISDIN?

Kiehl's focuses on skin barrier improvement, deep hydration, and brightening dark spots, while ISDIN excels with ultralight sunscreens and sensitive-skin care. Lovi rates ISDIN as Superior for acne-prone, sensitive, mature, and combination skin, whereas Kiehl's routines fit best for dry skin, mature skin, and skin with dark spots.

Kiehl's or ISDIN for dry skin?

Both brands are a High fit for dry skin, though they differ in their focus. Kiehl's offers deep hydration and barrier improvement, whereas ISDIN provides lightweight moisturizers and ultralight sunscreens.

Kiehl's or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Kiehl's generally helps provide deeper and more intense hydration, whereas ISDIN is often noted for a more ultralight and makeup-friendly texture. Lovi rates Kiehl's moisturizers like the Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate with a Superior fit for dry skin, while ISDIN offers options like Hyaluronic Concentrate with High fit for sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or ISDIN?

Both Kiehl's and ISDIN face similar user feedback regarding a high price point, meaning neither brand is clearly more affordable.

Kiehl's or ISDIN for fading dark spots?

Both brands offer products for dark spots, but ISDIN has a Superior routine fit for skin with dark spots compared to Kiehl's High level. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Kiehl's or ISDIN?

Kiehl's has more fragrance-free products than ISDIN, as 26 of its 28 products on this page list no fragrance compared to only 3 of the 8 products listed for ISDIN.

Kiehl's or ISDIN for oily skin?

ISDIN is the better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Kiehl's. Reviewers often mention ISDIN sunscreens as ultralight, which helps prevent a heavy or greasy residue.

Kiehl's or ISDIN: which sunscreen is better?

ISDIN is the better option for sunscreen, as its products achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive skin and skin with dark spots, whereas Kiehl's sunscreens reach a High fit level for those skin types. Reviewers also frequently mention ISDIN for ultralight, skin-friendly, and makeup-friendly sunscreens.

Kiehl's or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

ISDIN offers a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, whereas Kiehl's provides a High fit.

Kiehl's or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

ISDIN is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Kiehl's Average fit level.

Kiehl's or ISDIN for mature skin?

ISDIN is the better choice for mature skin, achieving a Superior Lovi fit compared to Kiehl's High rating. Reviewers frequently note that ISDIN offers ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers, while Lovi notes that retinoids like retinol help stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

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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