Kiehl's vs Allies of Skin
Kiehl's and Allies of Skin are skincare brands that offer nourishing moisturizers, serums, and eye products. The American heritage brand relies on glycerin and squalane to suit dry and sensitive skin, while Allies of Skin uses niacinamide to support dry and mature skin. Both lines feature targeted treatments for acne, dark spots, and aging concerns, but they differ in their formulation styles and core active ingredients.
Kiehl's is an American skincare brand founded in 1851 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000.
This page compares some of the most popular Kiehl's and Allies of Skin products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Kiehl's vs Allies of Skin products
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Ultra Facial Cream
A$74.00
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Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
A$189.99
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Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
A$153.74
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Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
A$109.00
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Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
A$82.99
- Midnight Recovery Concentrate
- Better Screen UV Serum
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Super Multi-Corrective Cream
A$174.32
People Say
Deep hydration and moisturization Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
- “nourished and hydrated — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
- “more like a spray serum — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
Lightweight texture and absorption Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
- “absorbs instantly without residue — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
- “Absorbs quickly — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “sinks easily into damp skin — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
Skin barrier and texture improvement Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
- “skin feels smoother — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “Woke up looking well-rested — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
- “Pores appear to be tighter — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
Gentle and non-irritating formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Best retinol for sensitive skin — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
- “feels super soothing, doesn't trigger redness — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
Fades dark spots and brightens Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “scars visibly lightened after I started using this — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
- “Gives me a nice youthful glow — Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment”
- “brightens the undereye — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
- “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
Visible plumping Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “more like a spray serum — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
- “Skin feels hydrated — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
- “Skin looks noticeably more plump — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
High price point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Very expensive product — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “overpriced for what it does — Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
- “Pricey — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
Ineffective or slow results Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “Did absolutely nothing — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “Takes months to see — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “results were subtle — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “still not impressed with the results — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
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”
- “left my face bright red — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
- “Slightly irritating... when I first started — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
Packaging and design issues Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “dipping fingers is unsanitary — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Dropper doesn't reach bottom — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “pump head is fixed — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
Kiehl's vs Allies of Skin routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$26.59
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
A$23.99
-
Moisturizer
d'Alba First Spray Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$26.09
-
SPF
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Fluide SPF50+
Morning
A$24.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
A$27.35
-
Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
A$188.14
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
-
Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$148.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning
A$62.15
-
Moisturizer
Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$213.07
-
SPF
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Fluide SPF50+
Morning
A$24.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$90.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$82.99
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
Buy Allies of Skin routine · A$380.63 · 98% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · A$685.63 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Kiehl's vs Allies of Skin routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$13.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$34.66
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$22.99
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
A$27.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$80.43
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
A$75.95
-
Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
A$188.14
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
-
Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$148.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$62.15
-
Moisturizer
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$64.64
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
A$27.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$90.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
A$75.95
-
Serum or Treatment
Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Evening · Once a week
A$153.74
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
A$109.00
Buy Allies of Skin routine · A$598.00 · 94% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · A$767.92 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Kiehl's vs Allies of Skin routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$73.61
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$42.00
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$22.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$30.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
A$29.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
A$188.14
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
-
Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$148.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$62.15
-
Moisturizer
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$64.64
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$90.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
A$29.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Evening · Once a week
A$153.74
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
A$109.00
Buy Allies of Skin routine · A$541.48 · 94% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · A$693.88 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit
Questions and answers
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin: which is better?
Allies of Skin is better suited for skincare needs, as the products on this page achieve superior routine fit across skin types and tend to fade dark spots and brighten more effectively. Kiehl's offers a higher number of lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and a broader selection of fragrance-free items.
What is the difference between Kiehl's and Allies of Skin?
Allies of Skin offers fragrance-free products on this page with superior routine fit across skin types, whereas Kiehl's includes fragrance in a few items and provides a lighter texture. Allies of Skin often helps fade dark spots more effectively, while Kiehl's is frequently noted for high prices and irritation.
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin for dry skin?
Both brands offer solid options for dry skin, though Allies of Skin achieves a superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's high fit on this page. Allies of Skin relies heavily on niacinamide, which may help reduce pigmentation and support skin hydration.
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin: which moisturizer is better?
Allies of Skin is the better moisturizer brand on this page, achieving a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to the High fit of Kiehl's. Allies of Skin relies heavily on niacinamide, which helps fade cutaneous pigmentation and reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Allies of Skin?
Reviewers note that both Kiehl's and Allies of Skin have a high price point, but Kiehl's is frequently cited for its high price point as a negative review theme.
Between Kiehl's and Allies of Skin, which brand is better for fading dark spots and brightening?
Allies of Skin is better for fading dark spots and brightening the products on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Kiehl's or Allies of Skin?
Allies of Skin has more fragrance-free products on this page, as every single product lists no fragrance, whereas two Kiehl's products contain fragrance.
How do the morning routines for dry skin compare between Kiehl's and Allies of Skin?
The morning routine for dry skin from Kiehl's features a cleanser, hydrating toner, moisturizer, and SPF, whereas the Allies of Skin routine includes a cleanser, calming deep moisture toner, first spray serum, and SPF. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for Kiehl's and Superior for Allies of Skin.
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin for oily skin?
For oily skin, Allies of Skin is superior according to Lovi routines, while Kiehl's offers a high routine fit and helpful lightweight moisturizers. Niacinamide in Allies of Skin products may help reduce pigmentation and oil production.
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin for sensitive skin?
Both brands are suitable for sensitive skin, with Lovi fit ratings showing High for Kiehl's and High for Allies of Skin. Reviewers frequently mention gentle and effective moisturizers for Allies of Skin and a high percentage of fragrance-free products for Kiehl's.
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin for acne-prone skin?
Allies of Skin achieves a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Kiehl's is High. Allies of Skin relies heavily on niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Topical menthol--a human model for cold pain by activation and sensitization of C nociceptors
Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Calendula extract: effects on mechanical parameters of human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Natural Arctium lappa fruit extract improves the clinical signs of aging skin
Preparation and evaluation of anti-wrinkle cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil
In vitro and in vivo anti-allergic effects of Arctium lappa L
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
The evaluation of aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion for photodamage
Skin barrier changes induced by aluminum oxide and sodium chloride microdermabrasion
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Clinical and histologic changes determine optimal treatment regimens for microdermabrasion
Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yoghurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (F-YOP)
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Clinical Assessment of a Novel Jasmonate Cosmeceutical, LR2412-Cx, for the Treatment of Skin Aging
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Effects of a Greek Yoghurt-based Complex on the Human Facial Skin Microbiome
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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