🇺🇸United States

Kiehl's vs Biore

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

Kiehl's and Biore are well-established skincare brands that offer reliable daily care for diverse complexions. The American label features dependable moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products containing glycerin and squalane, which suit mature skin and skin with dark spots best. Conversely, the Japanese counterpart provides globally loved sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers that suit oily and combination skin. While both rely on carefully balanced formulations, they differ fundamentally in their signature ingredients, regional heritage, and targeted 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

Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.

biore.comkao.com

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

Popular Kiehl's vs Biore products

People Say

Kiehl'sBiore
  • Pores and Oil Control Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Keeps shine away — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “sucked the gunk out of my pores — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
    • “savior for dry patches — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy 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”
    • “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Relaxing and Refreshing Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Love the tingle — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “Fruity fragrance, smells like apple/grape, refreshing. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “calming lavender smell — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
  • 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”
    • “Leaves skin feeling clean — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “no pilling — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “primer-like — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Stinging and Skin Irritation Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “stings eyes — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • High Price and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Product Ineffectiveness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “Did absolutely nothing — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Doesn't get all blackheads — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Doesn't shrink pores — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
  • Unpleasant Scents and Fragrance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Packaging and Application 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”
    • “Stains the sink — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”

Kiehl's vs Biore routines for dry skin

Buy Biore routine · $141.68 · 89% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $382.00 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Kiehl's vs Biore routines for oily skin

Buy Biore routine · $315.98 · 94% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $343.42 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Kiehl's vs Biore routines for combination skin

Buy Biore routine · $307.57 · 94% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $339.90 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Biore: which is better?

Kiehl's and Biore each serve different needs, as Kiehl's is better for hydration and moisture while Biore excels at oil control and pores. Lovi rates Biore as Superior for oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, and acne-prone skin, whereas Kiehl's best fits mature skin, skin with dark spots, and combination skin.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Biore?

Kiehl's and Biore differ primarily in their formulation focus and skin-type strengths, with Kiehl's offering a wider variety of specialized serums and moisturizers while Biore delivers superior routine fits for oily and acne-prone skin types.

Kiehl's or Biore for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and Biore fit dry skin equally well, as Lovi rates their routine fit as High for this skin type. Kiehl's offers various moisturizers and cleansers that help with hydration, while Biore also provides suitable options on this page.

Kiehl's or Biore: which cleanser is better?

Biore does better for pores and oil control overall, while Kiehl's offers a wider range of high-performing cleansers on this page. Reviewers report that Kiehl's cleansers can cause stinging and skin irritation, whereas Biore provides better value for money.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Biore?

Biore does better for price and value than Kiehl's, whereas reviewers often mention that Kiehl's has a high price point.

Between Kiehl's and Biore, which brand offers better options for combination skin?

Biore offers better options for combination skin because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to High for Kiehl's. Review themes also note that Biore does better for pores and oil control.

Which skincare brand has been around longer, Kiehl's or Biore?

Kiehl's has been around longer than Biore, having been founded in 1851 in the United States, while Biore was founded in 1980 in Japan.

Do Kiehl's and Biore products contain fragrance?

Most Kiehl's products on this page list no fragrance, although a couple include it. Biore products on this page list no fragrance.

Kiehl's or Biore for oily skin?

For oily skin, Biore provides a Superior routine fit according to Lovi, while Kiehl's achieves a High fit on this page. Reviewers note that Biore does better for pores and oil control.

Kiehl's or Biore: which sunscreen is better?

When it comes to sunscreens, Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum has a High Lovi fit for skin with dark spots, combination skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and mature skin. Biore UV Aqua Rich has a High Lovi fit for combination skin, while its fit for dry skin is a Caution.

Kiehl's or Biore for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both brands offer good options, with Lovi rating Kiehl's routine as High and Biore's routine as Superior. Kiehl's provides a wide selection of products on this page with no fragrance, while Biore lists no fragrance across its entire page.

Kiehl's or Biore for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Biore is superior to Kiehl's. Lovi gives Biore a superior routine fit level for acne-prone skin, whereas Kiehl's routine fit level is average.

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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