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Kiehl's skincare

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

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Kiehl's is beloved for dependable moisturizers, serums, toners, eye products, and more that incorporate nourishing glycerin and squalane. Its products suit mature skin and skin with dark spots best, owing to carefully balanced formulations. For distinct concerns, the brand offers standout solutions including the Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner for acne-prone skin, the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash for skin with dark spots, and the Ultra Facial Toner for mature skin. Within these items, glycerin significantly increases hydration and restores epidermal barrier function, while squalane counteracts oxidative stress and stimulates fibroblast migration.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2006

This page covers some of the most popular Kiehl's products; for the whole Kiehl's range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.

Kiehl's moisturizers

Kiehl's serums and treatments

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 59.9k+ reviews

Reviewers most often praise Kiehl's for lightweight texture, deep hydration, and brightening complexion. The most common complaints are breakouts and heavy formulas.

Highlights

  • Lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers Mostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly without residue — Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “Absorbs quickly — Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Sinks in instantly — Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
  • Gentle serums Mostly Mentioned
    • “experienced zero irritation — Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “perfect for retinol newbies — Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “No irritation at all — Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
  • Deep hydration Often Mentioned
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
    • “savior for dry patches — Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
  • Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “leaves skin feeling silky — Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels smoother — Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “skin looked & felt smoother — Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
  • Brightening and fading dark spots Sometimes Noted
    • “Acne marks are gone — Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “faded acne scars — Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
  • Makeup compatibility and primer benefits Sometimes Noted
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “no pilling — Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “sits great under foundation — Better Screen UV Serum”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “pricy daily staple — Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Very expensive product — Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “overpriced for what it does — Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
  • Causes breakouts and skin irritation Often Mentioned
    • “burned my face immediately — Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
    • “caused cystic acne — Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “stings my face and feels like burning — Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
  • Product not rich or effective enough Often Mentioned
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “Did absolutely nothing — Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Takes months to see — Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
  • Greasy or heavy residue Sometimes Noted
    • “oil slick in summer — Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “too radiant for oily skin — Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “didn't absorb well — Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, sephora.com, ulta.com, kiehls.com, reddit.com, and more

Other Kiehl's products

Questions and answers

Is Kiehl's good for oily skin?

Yes, Kiehl's is good for oily skin, as Lovi rates the Kiehl's-focused routine High for oily skin. Reviewers mostly mention lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers among the selections.

Is Kiehl's worth it?

Kiehl's may be worth considering, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routines High for dry, oily, sensitive, and combination skin. Reviewers often mention deep hydration and lightweight moisturizers, though some note a high price point and the possibility of breakouts.

What are Kiehl's's best products?

Lovi rates Kiehl's best for mature skin, skin with dark spots, and combination skin. The brand-focused routines for these skin types achieve High fit levels. The Kiehl's products on this page feature lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and gentle serums, though some reviewers note high prices and potential breakouts.

Which Kiehl's moisturizer is best for dry skin?

Lovi rates Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate as the best moisturizer for dry skin with a Superior fit, followed by Super Multi-Corrective Cream and Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream which both rate High. These lightweight moisturizers help deliver deep hydration to dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Does Kiehl's cause breakouts?

Yes, Kiehl's may cause breakouts, as reviewers often note that some products can trigger skin irritation and pimples. Lovi rates the Kiehl's-focused routine for acne-prone skin Average.

Is Kiehl's fragrance-free?

No, the Kiehl's products on this page are mostly fragrance-free, though 2 products include fragrance.

What are the key ingredients in Kiehl's products?

The key ingredients across the Kiehl's products on this page include glycerin, vitamin C, squalane, shea butter, and vitamin E.

How do I build a Kiehl's skincare routine?

To build a morning Kiehl's routine for dry skin, apply Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash, follow with Ultra Facial Toner, then Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate, and finish with Better Screen UV Serum. In the evening, use Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil first, then the cleanser, Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, and the serum concentrate moisturizer. Lovi rates the Kiehl's-focused routine High for dry skin.

Where can I buy Kiehl's, and how much does it cost?

Kiehl's products are available to buy on this page with prices ranging from $22.00 to $139.00, though most items cost between $32.00 and $82.00.

What are good alternatives to Kiehl's?

Good alternatives to Kiehl's include CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Dermalogica, and Good Molecules.

Kiehl's vs CeraVe: which is better?

Lovi rates CeraVe as Superior and Kiehl's as High across dry, oily, sensitive, and combination skin types. CeraVe offers higher overall fit levels for these skin types, while the Kiehl's products on this page are mostly fragrance-free.

Who owns Kiehl's, and where is it from?

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Is Kiehl's cruelty-free?

PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list Kiehl's as cruelty-free.

Is Kiehl's good for dry skin?

Yes, Kiehl's is good for dry skin, as Lovi rates the Kiehl's-focused routine High for dry skin. For dry skin, the Kiehl's products on this page help provide deep hydration, and 26 of 28 products on this page list no fragrance.

Which Kiehl's cleanser is best for oily skin?

The best Kiehl's cleanser for oily skin is the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash, followed by the Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser and the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser. Lovi rates the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash and the Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser as Superior for oily skin, and the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser as High.

Is Kiehl's good for sensitive skin?

Yes, Kiehl's is good for sensitive skin because Lovi rates the Kiehl's-focused routine High for sensitive skin. The Kiehl's products on this page are mostly fragrance-free, as 26 of 28 products list no fragrance.

Which Kiehl's sunscreen is best for sensitive skin?

The Kiehl's sunscreen best for sensitive skin is Better Screen UV Serum, which Lovi rates High for sensitive skin.

Is Kiehl's good for acne-prone skin?

Kiehl's rates Average for acne-prone skin overall, though Lovi rates specific choices like Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner Superior and Better Screen UV Serum High for this skin type. Reviewers note that some products may cause breakouts and skin irritation, while 26 of the 28 Kiehl's products on this page list no fragrance.

Is Kiehl's good for skin with dark spots?

Yes, Kiehl's is good for skin with dark spots because the brand is focused on mature skin, skin with dark spots, and combination skin. Lovi rates the brand-focused routine High for this skin concern. 26 of the 28 Kiehl's products on this page list no fragrance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Is Kiehl's good for mature skin?

Yes, Kiehl's is good for mature skin because Lovi rates the Kiehl's-focused routine High for mature skin, and key products like Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum and Better Screen UV Serum match this skin type well. Retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

Research behind Kiehl's's key ingredients

Behind these ratings

Lovi rates every product from its 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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