Kiehl's vs Lancôme
Kiehl's and Lancôme are two distinct beauty lines offering nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, soothing toners, and gentle eye products. The American house relies on dependable ingredients like glycerin and squalane, while the French label incorporates glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and adenosine. Both options suit sensitive skin and mature skin best. Ultimately, they differ in their specific formulations and heritage, with the first brand founded in 1851 and the second established in 1935.
Kiehl's is an American skincare brand founded in 1851 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000.
Lancôme is a French skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1964.
loreal.comen.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com
This page compares some of the most popular Kiehl's and Lancôme products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Kiehl's vs Lancôme products
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Ultra Facial Cream
CA$52.00
-
Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
CA$48.00
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Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
CA$52.00
-
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
CA$35.00
-
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
CA$89.00
-
Midnight Recovery Concentrate
CA$175.00
- Better Screen UV Serum
-
Super Multi-Corrective Cream
CA$103.00
People Say
Deep hydration and moisturization Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “gives my skin an instant dewy glow — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
- “keeps the skin soft and hydrated — Lancôme HYDRA ZEN”
- “The product provides deep hydration and visible rejuvenation. — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Night Cream”
- “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
- “works on dark skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
- “absorbs almost instantly — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
Gentle for sensitive skin Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “doesn't irritate sensitive eyes — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
- “Doesn't sting my eyes — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
Skin barrier and texture improvement 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 looked & felt smoother — Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
- “Skin feels cushiony soft — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
Makeup compatibility and primer benefits Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
- “no pilling — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “concealer applies smoothly — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream”
- “layers beautifully under makeup — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
Brightening and fading 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”
- “Skin looks lit from within — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
- “eyes look rested — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream”
High price point and poor value Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Very expensive product — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “super expensive — Lancôme Absolue Precious Oil”
- “expensive as hell — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
Ineffective or slow results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Did absolutely nothing — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “Takes months to see — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “didn't notice much change in wrinkles — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
- “Did absolutely nothing — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
Unpleasant or strong fragrance issues Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “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”
- “My only issue with it is the fragrance. — Lancôme Hydra Zen Gel Cream”
Kiehl's vs Lancôme routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$53.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning
CA$36.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$87.00
-
SPF
Ultra Facial Cream
Morning
CA$52.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$51.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
CA$105.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
CA$29.99
-
Cleanser
Crème Radiance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$50.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Tonique Confort
Morning
CA$82.00
-
Moisturizer
RÉNERGIE
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$190.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
CA$38.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
CA$62.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
CA$270.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
CA$29.99
Buy Kiehl's routine · CA$413.99 · 80% fit
Buy Lancôme routine · CA$721.99 · 64% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Kiehl's vs Lancôme routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$53.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$36.00
-
Moisturizer
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$33.00
-
SPF
Ultra Facial Cream
Morning
CA$52.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$51.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
CA$28.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Evening · Once a week
CA$52.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
CA$35.00
-
Cleanser
Crème Radiance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$50.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Tonique Confort
Morning · Once a week
CA$82.00
-
Moisturizer
RÉNERGIE
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$190.00
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
CA$35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
CA$62.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
CA$28.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Génifique Ultimate
Evening · Once a week
CA$112.50
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
Buy Kiehl's routine · CA$370.40 · 80% fit
Buy Lancôme routine · CA$685.85 · 66% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Kiehl's vs Lancôme routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$53.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$36.00
-
Moisturizer
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$33.00
-
SPF
Ultra Facial Cream
Morning
CA$52.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$51.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
CA$31.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Evening · Once a week
CA$52.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
CA$35.00
-
Cleanser
Crème Radiance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$50.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Tonique Confort
Morning · Once a week
CA$82.00
-
Moisturizer
RÉNERGIE
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$190.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
CA$20.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
CA$62.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
CA$31.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
CA$270.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
CA$50.00
Buy Kiehl's routine · CA$373.49 · 79% fit
Buy Lancôme routine · CA$786.45 · 66% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Kiehl's or Lancôme: which is better?
Kiehl's is generally better than Lancôme on this page, as Lovi shows Kiehl's has a High routine fit across almost all skin types compared to Lancôme's Average fit. Reviewers also find Kiehl's better for gentle care on sensitive skin, while Lancôme is better for deep hydration and moisturization.
What is the difference between Kiehl's and Lancôme?
Kiehl's has a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Lancome has an Average fit. Kiehl's also does better for sensitive skin, while Lancome does better for deep hydration and moisturization.
Kiehl's or Lancôme for dry skin?
For dry skin, Kiehl's is the better choice because Lovi fit for dry skin routines is High compared to Lancome's Average. Kiehl's also performs better for deep hydration and moisturization on the products on this page.
Kiehl's or Lancôme: which cleanser is better?
When comparing cleansers, Kiehl's is the better choice because the products on this page achieve a High to Superior Lovi fit level across nearly all skin types, whereas Lancôme cleansers have warning fit levels. Kiehl's cleansers also feature calming ingredients like Calendula officinalis flower extract, which helps soothe sensitive skin.
Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Lancôme?
Both Kiehl's and Lancôme have a high price point as a commonly mentioned drawback for the products on this page.
Which brand has better fragrance-free options, Kiehl's or Lancôme?
Kiehl's offers better fragrance-free options because 26 of its 28 products on this page list no fragrance, whereas only 3 of the 14 Lancôme products do.
How do Kiehl's and Lancôme compare for fading dark spots?
For fading dark spots, Kiehl's achieves a High routine fit level while Lancôme achieves an Average routine fit level. Kiehl's also performs better for skin barrier and texture improvement.
Which brand performs better for mature skin?
Kiehl's performs better for mature skin, achieving a High routine fit compared to Lancôme's Average level. The products on this page help improve skin texture and offer targeted anti-aging serums for mature skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Kiehl's or Lancôme for oily skin?
For oily skin, Kiehl's is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Lancôme's Average. Kiehl's offers targeted products on this page like the Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner, which is rated Superior for oily skin.
Kiehl's or Lancôme: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers, Kiehl's is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, and mature skin as High, whereas Lancôme achieves only an Average fit level across those skin types. Reviewers also indicate that Kiehl's provides lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers with deep hydration, and almost all products on this page list no fragrance.
Kiehl's or Lancôme for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, Kiehl's is the better choice because it achieves a High routine fit compared to Lancôme's Average fit. Furthermore, Kiehl's does better for gentleness on sensitive skin, and nearly all of its products on this page list no fragrance.
Kiehl's or Lancôme for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Lovi finds that both Kiehl's and Lancôme have an Average fit level. Kiehl's is often considered gentler for sensitive skin.
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
Spent Yeast Waste Streams as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides for Skin Applications
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
Design and in vivo evaluation of emulgel formulations including green tea extract and rose oil
The evaluation of aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion for photodamage
Skin barrier changes induced by aluminum oxide and sodium chloride microdermabrasion
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
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
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Clinical Assessment of a Novel Jasmonate Cosmeceutical, LR2412-Cx, for the Treatment of Skin Aging
Skin moisturization by hydrogenated polyisobutene--quantitative and visual evaluation
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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.
-

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
-

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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