Kiehl's vs Skintific
Kiehl's and Skintific are skincare brands known for thoughtful formulations, with the American heritage label featuring dependable moisturizers, serums, toners, eye products, and more that incorporate nourishing glycerin and squalane, while the latter is loved for targeted moisturizers, potent serums, and protective sunscreens. The first brand suits mature skin and skin with dark spots best owing to carefully balanced compositions, whereas both options cater well to specific needs through standout solutions like the Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner, Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash, and Ultra Facial Toner from one, alongside the All Day Light Sunscreen Mist, 5X Ceramide Barrier Moisture Gel, and MUGWORT from the other. Ultimately, the former relies on glycerin to significantly increase hydration and restore epidermal barrier function alongside squalane to counteract oxidative stress and stimulate fibroblast migration, whereas its contemporary counterpart focuses on comforting dry skin and dry sensitive skin with reliable daily care.
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 Skintific products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Kiehl's vs Skintific 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
- “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
- “absorbs instantly without residue — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
- “absorbs instantly — Skintific 5X Ceramide Barrier Moisture Gel”
- “super light and leaves a radiant glow — Skintific All Day Light Sunscreen Mist”
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”
- “Kulit terasa lebih halus — Skintific AHA BHA PHA LHA Peeling Solution”
- “healed my skin barrier — Skintific 5X Ceramide Barrier Moisture Gel”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedNot 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”
Oil Control Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “controls shine for 8 hours — Skintific MATE FIT”
- “oil control is good — Skintific 5X Ceramide Barrier Moisture Gel”
- “keeps my oils at bay — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
Convenient and Travel-Friendly Packaging Not notedOften Mentioned
- “mess-free application — Skintific MUGWORT”
- “great for traveling — Skintific All Day Light Sunscreen Mist”
- “Desain botol cakep — Skintific AHA BHA PHA LHA Peeling Solution”
Skin Softness and Pore Cleansing Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “skin feels fresh — Skintific MUGWORT”
- “Pori tampak lebih bersih — Skintific AHA BHA PHA LHA Peeling Solution”
- “skin feels incredibly soft afterwards — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
High Price and Value Complaints Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
Unpleasant Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “smells clinical — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “faint lab smell — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
- “smells like hot dog water — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
- “scent is actually quite strong — Skintific All Day Light Sunscreen Mist”
Ineffective or Slow Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Did absolutely nothing — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “Takes months to see — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “didn't remove blackheads — Skintific MUGWORT”
- “Gada perubahan apapun — Skintific AHA BHA PHA LHA Peeling Solution”
Kiehl's vs Skintific 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
5X Ceramide Barrier Moisture Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$9.99
-
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
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
-
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 Skintific routine · $145.66 · 97% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · $382.00 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Kiehl's vs Skintific 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
5X Ceramide Barrier Moisture Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$9.99
-
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
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
-
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
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
$47.00
Buy Skintific routine · $321.95 · 95% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · $343.42 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Kiehl's vs Skintific 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
5X Ceramide Barrier Moisture Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$9.99
-
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
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
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
-
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 Skintific routine · $313.54 · 94% fit
Buy Kiehl's routine · $339.90 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Kiehl's or Skintific: which is better?
Skintific is rated as Superior across all skin types on the products on this page, whereas Kiehl's generally achieves High or Average ratings.
What is the difference between Kiehl's and Skintific?
Skintific is a newer brand founded in 2021, whereas Kiehl's has a long history dating back to 1851 and is owned by L'Oréal. On this page, Lovi rates Skintific as Superior across all skin types, while Kiehl's fit varies from Average to High depending on the specific skin type.
Kiehl's or Skintific for dry skin?
Skintific is rated as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Kiehl's is rated as High. The products on this page for Skintific help deliver barrier-focused hydration.
Kiehl's or Skintific: which moisturizer is better?
Skintific is better for overall moisturizer routine fit across skin types on this page, achieving a Superior rating compared to Kiehl's High rating for dry skin routines. Kiehl's offers lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers with key ingredients like glycerin and squalane, while Skintific features products such as the 5X Ceramide Barrier Moisture Gel that may help repair the skin barrier.
Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Skintific?
Skintific is more affordable, whereas high price and value complaints are associated with Kiehl's on the products on this page.
How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Kiehl's and Skintific compare?
Kiehl's was founded in 1851 in the United States and has been owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000, whereas Skintific was founded in 2021 and is owned by Guangzhou Feimei Network Technology Co., Ltd..
Which brand offers a better routine fit for mature skin, Kiehl's or Skintific?
Skintific offers a superior routine fit for mature skin compared to Kiehl's, which achieves a high fit. Both brands address signs of aging well, but Skintific stands out across this page for overall routine suitability.
Do both Kiehl's and Skintific products contain fragrance?
Kiehl's has fragrance in a small number of the products on this page, while Skintific lists no fragrance for any of its products. Specifically, 26 out of 28 Kiehl's products are fragrance-free, with fragrance only in the Age Defender Moisturizer and Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men.
Kiehl's or Skintific for oily skin?
Skintific is rated as having a Superior routine fit for oily skin, whereas Kiehl's routine fit is High. Review themes indicate that Skintific does better for oil control, while the products on this page for Skintific also feature fragrance-free formulations.
Kiehl's or Skintific: which sunscreen is better?
Skintific does better than Kiehl's for sunscreens on this page, as its All Day Light Sunscreen Mist achieves a High fit level across all listed skin types including oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. In comparison, Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum shows varying fit levels, with Average ratings for dry, oily, and oily acne-prone skin.
Kiehl's or Skintific for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both brands offer good choices, as Lovi rates Kiehl's routine as High and Skintific's routine as Superior. Kiehl's provides a wide selection of fragrance-free options across the products on this page, while Skintific lists every product on this page as fragrance-free.
Kiehl's or Skintific for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Skintific has a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's High routine fit. The products on this page for Skintific help address breakouts while offering targeted options like the 5X Ceramide Barrier Moisture Gel.
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
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
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
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
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
-

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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