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Kiehl's vs ISDIN

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

Kiehl's and ISDIN are well-regarded skincare brands that offer reliable moisturizers, serums, toners, eye products, and sunscreens. The American brand incorporates nourishing glycerin and squalane into dependable formulations that suit mature skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas the Spanish brand provides elegant, thoughtfully balanced remedies that suit dry skin and sensitive skin best. While both lines deliver daily comfort and targeted solutions for distinct concerns, they differ in their foundational heritage and primary active focus.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

ISDIN is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by Puig.

puig.combeautymatter.comuploads.puig.com

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

Popular Kiehl's vs ISDIN products

People Say

Kiehl'sISDIN
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “Lightweight formula absorbs fast — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Friendly Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “doesn't sting eyes — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Deep and Intense Hydration Often 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”
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “acts like a primer — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “Great under makeup — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
  • Skin Barrier and Texture Improvement Often MentionedRarely 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 was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Brightening and Dark Spot Fading Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “faded acne scars — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
  • High Price and Value Issues Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Very expensive product — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “My only wish is that ISDIN would make this product in a bigger size bottle. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
  • Unpleasant Scent and Fragrance Issues 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”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Ineffective or Slow Results Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “don't see result — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “no noticeable changes yet — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “Did absolutely nothing — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
  • 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”
    • “this did make my eyes water water in the sun. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “mild redness or irritation — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”

Kiehl's vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

Buy ISDIN routine · $255.68 · 94% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $382.00 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Kiehl's vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

Buy ISDIN routine · $437.98 · 93% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $343.42 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Kiehl's vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

Buy ISDIN routine · $429.57 · 93% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $339.90 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or ISDIN: which is better?

ISDIN is the better choice for sun protection and sensitive skin, while Kiehl's is often preferred for deep hydration and targeting dark spots. Lovi fit levels show ISDIN as Superior across most skin types, compared to Kiehl's mix of High and Average ratings.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and ISDIN?

ISDIN generally offers a superior fit across skin types and is often noted for ultralight sunscreens and gentle textures, whereas Kiehl's stands out for deep hydration and targeting skin texture and dark spots with products like the Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate.

Kiehl's or ISDIN for dry skin?

ISDIN is a better fit for dry skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Kiehl's High. The products on this page help deliver lightweight moisturizers and ultralight sunscreens.

Kiehl's or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

ISDIN is better for lightweight moisture, while Kiehl's is better for deep hydration. Lovi fit ratings show that ISDIN fits dry skin better overall.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or ISDIN?

Both Kiehl's and ISDIN frequently receive reviews noting a high price point. Reviewers consider them equally matched on price and value issues.

Which brand performs better for brightening and fading dark spots, Kiehl's or ISDIN?

Kiehl's performs better for brightening and fading dark spots, as supported by reviewer feedback on the products on this page. Niacinamide may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Do Kiehl's or ISDIN products contain more added fragrance?

ISDIN contains more added fragrance across the products on this page, with 5 out of 8 listing fragrance compared to only 2 out of 28 for Kiehl's.

Which brand offers better skin barrier and texture improvement?

Kiehl's does better than ISDIN for skin barrier and texture improvement. Reviewers note that the products on this page help with skin barrier and texture improvement.

Kiehl's or ISDIN for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi fit for Kiehl's is High and for ISDIN is Superior, making ISDIN the better option. ISDIN is known for ultralight sunscreens that help oily skin feel less greasy.

Kiehl's or ISDIN: which sunscreen is better?

ISDIN sunscreen is better than Kiehl's sunscreen because Lovi rates ISDIN sunscreen as Superior for sensitive skin, mature skin, skin with dark spots, and dry sensitive skin, whereas Kiehl's sunscreen is rated High for those same skin types.

Kiehl's or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

ISDIN offers a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin on this page, while Kiehl's fit level is High.

Kiehl's or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, ISDIN tends to be a better option because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to Kiehl's Average fit.

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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