Kiehl's vs Augustinus Bader
Kiehl's and Augustinus Bader are two prominent skincare brands known for their distinct approaches to complexion care. The American house relies on dependable moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products featuring glycerin and squalane, while the German creator is loved for its nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, and soothing eye products powered by sophisticated formulas. Kiehl's suits mature skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas Augustinus Bader suits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. They differ primarily in their heritage and specific ingredient profiles, offering tailored solutions for varied dermatological needs.
Kiehl's is an American skincare brand founded in 1851 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000.
Augustinus Bader is a German skincare brand founded in 2018.
augustinusbader.combeautymatter.compitchbook.com
This page compares some of the most popular Kiehl's and Augustinus Bader products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Kiehl's vs Augustinus Bader products
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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
Lightweight texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “light but nourishing — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
- “sinks in instantly — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
- “light gel texture — Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream”
- “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Instantly hydrated — Augustinus Bader The Face Oil”
- “Extremely dry skin saved — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
- “healthy glow — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
- “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
Skin barrier and texture improvement Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Softens fine lines — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
- “skin is smoother — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
- “skin felt noticeably firmer — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
- “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
Brightening and 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”
- “Instant youthful glow — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
Makeup compatibility Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
- “no pilling — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “no pilling — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
- “concealer blends perfectly — Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream”
Gentle for sensitive skin Often MentionedNot noted
- “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “perfect for retinol newbies — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
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”
- “Not worth $300 — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
Ineffective or slow results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “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”
- “didn't see dramatic results — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
Packaging and dispensing issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “dipping fingers is unsanitary — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “hard to spread — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
- “Dropper doesn't reach bottom — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “excessive packaging — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
Breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
- “cystic acne for some — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Caused cystic acne — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
- “bumps on forehead — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
Kiehl's vs Augustinus Bader 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
The Rich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$315.00
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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
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Serum or Treatment
The Serum
Evening · Once a week
$200.00
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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
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Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning
$26.00
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Moisturizer
Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$82.00
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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
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy Augustinus Bader routine · $611.67 · 98% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · $382.00 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Kiehl's vs Augustinus Bader 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
The Eye Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$215.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
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Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
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Serum or Treatment
The Serum
Evening · Once a week
$200.00
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
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 Augustinus Bader routine · $687.96 · 93% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · $343.42 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Kiehl's vs Augustinus Bader 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
The Eye Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$215.00
-
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
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Serum or Treatment
The Serum
Evening · Once a week
$200.00
-
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 Augustinus Bader routine · $679.55 · 93% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · $339.90 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader: which is better?
Augustinus Bader offers superior routine fit across more skin types than Kiehl's, and the products on this page deliver better deep hydration and texture improvement. Reviewers note that Kiehl's is often more affordable, whereas Augustinus Bader features a more luxurious feel.
What is the difference between Kiehl's and Augustinus Bader?
Augustinus Bader provides superior results for dry skin with its signature TFC8 ingredient, while Kiehl's offers a wider variety of specialized treatments like dark spot serums at a lower price point.
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader for dry skin?
Augustinus Bader has a Superior routine fit for dry skin among the products on this page, whereas Kiehl's has a High fit. Augustinus Bader provides deep hydration and texture improvement for dry skin.
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader: which moisturizer is better?
Augustinus Bader provides a Superior routine fit for dry skin with moisturizers like The Rich Cream, while Kiehl's offers a High fit with products like Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate. Reviewers often mention deep hydration for both brands, though Augustinus Bader is noted for better lightweight texture and deep hydration.
Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader?
Kiehl's is more affordable, as reviewers often note a high price point for the brand while Augustinus Bader reviewers mostly mention an extreme price.
How do the country of origin and parent company ownership compare between Kiehl's and Augustinus Bader?
Kiehl's was founded in 1851 in the United States and has been owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000, whereas Augustinus Bader was founded in 2018 in Germany and is independently owned.
Which brand offers more fragrance-free products according to their ingredient lists?
Augustinus Bader offers more fragrance-free products on this page, as every single one of its listed products contains no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, Kiehl's includes fragrance in two of the products on this page, while the rest are fragrance-free.
What are the key signature ingredients used across Kiehl's products versus Augustinus Bader's TFC8?
Kiehl's relies on a variety of key ingredients across the products on this page like glycerin, vitamin C, squalane, shea butter, and vitamin E, whereas Augustinus Bader centers its formulations around its signature TFC8 complex.
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader for oily skin?
For oily skin, both Kiehl's and Augustinus Bader are good choices, as Lovi rates the routine fit for oily skin as High for Kiehl's and Superior for Augustinus Bader. Reviewers note that Kiehl's offers products like the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash, while Augustinus Bader provides lightweight moisturizers.
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader for sensitive skin?
Both brands offer products for sensitive skin, but Augustinus Bader has a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's High fit on this page.
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader for acne-prone skin?
Augustinus Bader provides a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin among the products on this page, whereas Kiehl's offers an Average fit. Reviewers note that both brands share similar risks for breakouts.
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
Resveratrol as a Multifunctional Topical Hypopigmenting Agent
Calendula extract: effects on mechanical parameters of human skin
Fermented pomegranate extracts protect against oxidative stress and aging of 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
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
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
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
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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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