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Kiehl's vs Dermalogica

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

Kiehl's and Dermalogica are American skincare brands that offer nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, gentle cleansers, and soothing toners. The former relies on dependable ingredients like glycerin and squalane, while the latter uses powerful actives such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid. Kiehl's suits mature skin and sensitive skin best, whereas the latter suits oily skin and combination skin best. While both brands support skin health through effective formulations, they differ in their core ingredients and ideal skin types.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular Kiehl's vs Dermalogica products

People Say

Kiehl'sDermalogica
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often 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”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
  • Improves skin barrier and texture Often MentionedSometimes 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 feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Leaves a glistening glow — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
  • Gentle formula for sensitive skin Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
  • Brightens skin and fades dark spots Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin looks amazing — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
  • Oil control and pore reduction Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “keeps my oils at bay — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
    • “keeps my T-zone matte — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “Brings out all the gunk — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “doesn't clog pores — Dermalogica Active Moist”
  • High price point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Very expensive product — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
  • Burning, stinging, and irritation Sometimes 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”
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “burns immediately — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
  • Unpleasant or strong scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells clinical — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “faint lab smell — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “smells like hot dog water — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”

Kiehl's vs Dermalogica routines for dry skin

Buy Dermalogica routine · CA$524.99 · 87% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · CA$413.99 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Kiehl's vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

Buy Dermalogica routine · CA$525.00 · 91% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · CA$370.40 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Kiehl's vs Dermalogica routines for combination skin

Buy Dermalogica routine · CA$530.09 · 90% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · CA$373.49 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which is better?

Both brands offer strong options, but Dermalogica achieves a superior routine fit for oily and combination skin types. Kiehl's is particularly well-suited for shoppers seeking lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and gentle serums.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Dermalogica?

Dermalogica features routines with a Superior fit level for oily and combination skin, whereas Kiehl's offers a High fit for those skin types. Both brands achieve equal routine fit levels for dry, sensitive, mature, and acne-prone skin types.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer a high routine fit level for dry skin on the products on this page. Kiehl's focuses on lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and deep hydration, while Dermalogica provides intense hydration and soothing moisturizers.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer high-performing cleansers, with Dermalogica achieving a superior fit level for oily and combination skin types. Reviewers mention that the products on this page provide gentle, non-stripping cleansers with deep hydration.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Dermalogica?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica share a high price point among the products on this page.

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

Dermalogica offers more fragrance-free products on this page, as every single item in their lineup lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, Kiehl's includes fragrance in two of the products on this page.

Which brand offers better routine fit for combination skin?

Dermalogica offers a superior routine fit for combination skin, whereas Kiehl's routine fit is high. Both brands feature lightweight and non-greasy options on this page.

Which brand has a wider selection of products containing salicylic acid?

Dermalogica is more likely to offer a wider selection of products containing salicylic acid, as salicylic acid is listed among the key ingredients across its products on this page while it is not among Kiehl's key ingredients.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for oily skin?

Dermalogica is the better fit for oily skin because the routine fit on Lovi is Superior, compared to High for Kiehl's. Reviewers often mention its oil control and pore reduction benefits.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer high-performing moisturizers that suit different skin needs. Kiehl's is known for lightweight, non-greasy options, while Dermalogica excels in providing intense hydration and soothing formulas.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin, though Kiehl's features a high percentage of fragrance-free products on this page alongside some scented options, whereas Dermalogica lists no fragrance across all its products. Topical emollients may help maintain barrier function and soothe sensitive skin areas.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which sunscreen is better?

Dermalogica provides sunscreen options that fit mature skin at a Superior level, whereas Kiehl's sunscreen products on this page reach a High fit for mature skin.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

Dermalogica is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High while Kiehl's is Average. Dermalogica helps manage breakouts with key ingredients like salicylic acid across the products on this page.

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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