Kiehl's vs Allies of Skin
Kiehl's and Allies of Skin are skincare brands that offer reliable moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products. Kiehl's is known for glycerin and squalane formulations that suit mature skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas the latter is celebrated for niacinamide treatments tailored best for dry and acne-prone skin. While both feature standout solutions for specific concerns, they differ in their foundational ingredients and primary skin type suitability.
Kiehl's is an American skincare brand founded in 1851 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000.
This page compares some of the most popular Kiehl's and Allies of Skin products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Kiehl's vs Allies of Skin products
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Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum
$199.00
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Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum
$101.00
- Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream
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Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
$85.00
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Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
$125.00
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Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist
$68.00
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Ultra Facial Cream
$39.00
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Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
$40.00
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Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
$35.00
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Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
$47.00
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Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
$95.00
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Midnight Recovery Concentrate
$139.00
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Better Screen UV Serum
$45.00
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Super Multi-Corrective Cream
$76.00
People Say
Deep hydration and moisturization Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
- “nourished and hydrated — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
- “more like a spray serum — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
Lightweight texture and absorption Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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”
- “sinks easily into damp skin — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
Skin barrier and texture improvement Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
- “skin feels smoother — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “Woke up looking well-rested — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
- “Pores appear to be tighter — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
Gentle and non-irritating formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Best retinol for sensitive skin — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
- “feels super soothing, doesn't trigger redness — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
Fades dark spots and brightens Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “scars visibly lightened after I started using this — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
- “Gives me a nice youthful glow — Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment”
- “brightens the undereye — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
- “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
Visible plumping Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “more like a spray serum — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
- “Skin feels hydrated — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
- “Skin looks noticeably more plump — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
High price point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Very expensive product — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “overpriced for what it does — Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
- “Pricey — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
Ineffective or slow results Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “Did absolutely nothing — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “Takes months to see — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “results were subtle — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “still not impressed with the results — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
Burning, stinging, and irritation Rarely 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”
- “left my face bright red — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
- “Slightly irritating... when I first started — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
Packaging and design issues Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “dipping fingers is unsanitary — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Dropper doesn't reach bottom — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “pump head is fixed — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
Kiehl's vs Allies of Skin routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
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Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
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Moisturizer
Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$68.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
-
Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
$85.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
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Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning
$26.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$82.00
-
SPF
Better Screen UV Serum
Morning
$45.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$38.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
$130.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy Allies of Skin routine · $249.67 · 98% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · $382.00 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Kiehl's vs Allies of Skin routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$125.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
$85.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
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Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
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Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning · Once a week
$26.00
-
Moisturizer
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$22.00
-
SPF
Ultra Facial Cream
Morning
$39.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$38.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Evening · Once a week
$35.00
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
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Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
$47.00
Buy Allies of Skin routine · $482.96 · 94% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · $343.42 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Kiehl's vs Allies of Skin routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$125.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
$85.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
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Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning · Once a week
$26.00
-
Moisturizer
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$22.00
-
SPF
Better Screen UV Serum
Morning
$45.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$38.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Evening · Once a week
$35.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
$47.00
Buy Allies of Skin routine · $474.55 · 94% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · $339.90 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin: which is better?
Allies of Skin is the better-fitting brand overall, achieving a Superior routine fit across all skin types on this page. Kiehl's is also a strong alternative, though it has more reviewer reports of skin irritation.
What is the difference between Kiehl's and Allies of Skin?
Allies of Skin fits dry skin and acne-prone skin better than Kiehl's, while both brands fit mature skin and skin with dark spots well.
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin for dry skin?
Allies of Skin fits dry skin better than Kiehl's, as Lovi rates the Allies of Skin routine as Superior for dry skin, compared to High for Kiehl's. The products on this page for Allies of Skin offer deep hydration and moisturization.
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin: which moisturizer is better?
Allies of Skin fits dry skin better on Lovi, offering Superior moisturization compared to Kiehl's High fit on this page.
Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Allies of Skin?
Reviewers note a high price point for Kiehl's on this page. Price comparisons are not directly provided for Allies of Skin.
Between Kiehl's and Allies of Skin, which brand is better for fading dark spots and brightening?
Allies of Skin does better for fading dark spots and brightening than Kiehl's. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Kiehl's or Allies of Skin?
Allies of Skin has more fragrance-free products on this page, as every single one of its products lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas two of Kiehl's products contain fragrance.
How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Kiehl's and Allies of Skin compare?
Kiehl's was founded in 1851 in the United States and has been owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000, whereas Allies of Skin was founded in 2016 and is owned by Allies Group Pte. Ltd.
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin for oily skin?
For oily skin, Allies of Skin is a Superior fit on Lovi, whereas Kiehl's is a High fit. Reviewers note that Allies of Skin provides effective brightening and visible plumping.
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both brands offer good options, with Allies of Skin achieving a Superior routine fit and Kiehl's achieving a High routine fit on Lovi. Allies of Skin may provide better results for fading dark spots and visible plumping, while Kiehl's is often noted for lightweight texture and absorption.
Kiehl's or Allies of Skin for acne-prone skin?
Allies of Skin fits acne-prone skin better, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's Average fit on this page.
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
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
The evaluation of aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion for photodamage
Skin barrier changes induced by aluminum oxide and sodium chloride microdermabrasion
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
Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yoghurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (F-YOP)
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Clinical Assessment of a Novel Jasmonate Cosmeceutical, LR2412-Cx, for the Treatment of Skin Aging
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Effects of a Greek Yoghurt-based Complex on the Human Facial Skin Microbiome
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.
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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
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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
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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