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CeraVe vs Kiehl's

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

CeraVe and Kiehl's are two American skincare brands offering dependable moisturizers, targeted serums, and other daily formulas enriched with nourishing ingredients. The first brand relies on hyaluronic acid and glycerin to suit mature skin and dry skin best, while the second brand incorporates glycerin and squalane to suit mature skin and skin with dark spots best. While both brands deliver proven results through regular application, they differ in their specific formulations and targeted solutions for distinct concerns.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular CeraVe vs Kiehl's products

People Say

CeraVeKiehl's
  • Fragrance-free and gentle formulas Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “works on dark skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
  • Improving skin texture and acne marks Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels smoother — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Oil control and acne clearing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “keeps my oils at bay — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
  • Brightening and complexion enhancement Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “woke up glowing — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “skin is literally glowing — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
  • Price point and value concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Texture and consistency issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “too radiant for oily skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “leaves a tacky film — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
  • Breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “developed tiny white bumps — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · $120.97 · 90% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $382.00 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · $272.57 · 83% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $343.42 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · $237.98 · 86% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $339.90 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which is better?

CeraVe fits mature and dry skin at a Superior level, whereas Kiehl's fits them at a High level. Both brands provide deep hydration and feature lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers across the products on this page.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Kiehl's?

CeraVe fits best for mature skin, dry skin, and acne-prone skin, while Kiehl's fits best for mature skin, skin with dark spots, and combination skin. CeraVe offers superior fragrance-free and gentle formulas, whereas Kiehl's does better for brightening and complexion enhancement.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for dry skin?

CeraVe is the better choice for dry skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's High fit. The products on this page are fragrance-free and feature key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help repair the skin barrier and provide deep hydration.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe is better for gentle, fragrance-free cleansing and oil control, while Kiehl's offers effective brightening options like the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash. Reviewers note that CeraVe cleansers help cleanse without stripping the skin barrier.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Kiehl's?

CeraVe is more affordable, whereas price point and value concerns are noted more frequently for Kiehl's on this page.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which brand is better for mature skin?

CeraVe is better for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's High fit level. The products on this page for CeraVe are completely fragrance-free and feature key barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which brand has fragrance-free formulas?

CeraVe is the better choice for fragrance-free formulas, as every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which is better for brightening and dark spots?

Kiehl's is better for brightening and dark spots as it excels in brightening and complexion enhancement compared to CeraVe. Niacinamide in CeraVe helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer, while Kiehl's focuses heavily on vitamin C and targeted dark spot solutions.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or Kiehl's for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's are great options, as Lovi rates their routines as High for oily skin. Reviewers note that both brands offer lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers that help control oil without clogging pores.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers superior fit levels for dry skin and mature skin among the moisturizers on this page compared to Kiehl's. Reviewers often mention that CeraVe provides fragrance-free moisturizers with superior healing and texture.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for sensitive skin?

Both brands are a High fit for sensitive skin, but CeraVe may be the safer bet because every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe offers better sunscreens on this page, with fit levels reaching Superior for mature, dry, and dry sensitive skin types. Kiehl's sunscreen on this page is limited to a High fit for these categories.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better than Kiehl's, earning a High routine fit compared to Kiehl's Average. CeraVe offers products on this page that help clear oil and blemishes with ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide, while every product on this page lists no fragrance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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