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Kiehl's vs Hada Labo

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

Kiehl's and Hada Labo are distinct skincare brands that offer reliable daily solutions for varying complexions. The American heritage label is beloved for its moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products featuring glycerin and squalane, while the Japanese line is deeply loved for its hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers driven by advanced science. Both names suit dry skin best, though the former nourishes sensitive complexions and the latter soothes acne-prone skin without clogging pores. They ultimately differ through their regional origins and specific formulation approaches, where the former emphasizes barrier restoration and antioxidant care, and the latter focuses on delivering essential hydration.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular Kiehl's vs Hada Labo products

People Say

Kiehl'sHada Labo
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Texture and Weight Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Gentle on Skin Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “no irritation, no breakouts — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Dark Spots and Brightening Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Sticky or Tacky Finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves a tacky film — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “cystic acne for some — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Closed comedones — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “gave me closed comedones — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”

Kiehl's vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · A$204.04 · 97% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · A$685.63 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Kiehl's vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · A$412.15 · 93% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · A$767.92 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Kiehl's vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · A$378.28 · 93% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · A$693.88 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Hada Labo: which is better?

Hada Labo is superior for hydration and value, while Kiehl's offers better texture and a wider variety of formulas. For dry skin, Lovi rates Hada Labo as Superior and Kiehl's as High.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is often noted for deep hydration and gentle, fragrance-free formulas, while Kiehl's offers a wider variety of specialized treatments featuring key ingredients like vitamin C and retinol. For dry skin, Lovi rates Hada Labo as Superior and Kiehl's as High.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

Kiehl's or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Hada Labo is a superior choice for dry skin, offering deep hydration and a superior routine fit. Kiehl's also helps with dry skin, featuring gentle moisturizers and a high routine fit.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Kiehl's or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Hada Labo provides superior hydration and deep moisturization compared to Kiehl's, making it a better choice for moisture-focused routines. Reviewers frequently mention that Hada Labo delivers deep hydration and gentle, fragrance-free formulations, whereas Kiehl's moisturizers often carry a higher price point and may occasionally cause breakouts or skin irritation.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is more affordable, whereas a high price point is often mentioned for Kiehl's. Reviewers also note that Hada Labo offers better value and versatility.

Do Kiehl's or Hada Labo products contain fragrance?

Most Kiehl's products on this page are formulated without fragrance, while every Hada Labo product lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better for hydration and moisture according to reviewers?

Hada Labo performs better for hydration and moisture according to reviewers. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration and moisturization.

What are the key ingredients used across Kiehl's and Hada Labo products?

Kiehl's uses key ingredients such as glycerin, vitamin C, squalane, shea butter, and vitamin E across its products, while Hada Labo relies on hyaluronic acid. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Kiehl's or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Hada Labo is a strong choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, whereas Kiehl's routine is rated High. Both brands offer products that help manage oil, but Hada Labo is noted for deep hydration without added fragrance.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Kiehl's or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Hada Labo is a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, while Kiehl's is High. Hada Labo helps deliver deep hydration with hyaluronic acid, which is unlikely to clog pores.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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