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CeraVe vs Kiehl's

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

CeraVe and Kiehl's are American skincare brands owned by L'Oréal that offer thoughtful moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, sunscreens, and more. The first brand is universally loved for incorporating hyaluronic acid and glycerin to suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best, while the second brand is beloved for incorporating nourishing glycerin and squalane to suit skin with dark spots and combination skin best. They differ primarily in their specific targeted formulations and key ingredients, with the former brand utilizing hyaluronic acid for wrinkle reduction and the latter brand utilizing squalane to counteract oxidative stress and stimulate fibroblast migration.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular CeraVe vs Kiehl's products

People Say

CeraVeKiehl's
  • Fragrance-free and gentle formulas Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “works on dark skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
  • Improving skin texture and acne marks Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels smoother — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Oil control and acne clearing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “keeps my oils at bay — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
  • Brightening and complexion enhancement Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “woke up glowing — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “skin is literally glowing — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
  • Price point and value concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Texture and consistency issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “too radiant for oily skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “leaves a tacky film — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
  • Breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “developed tiny white bumps — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which is better?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's are great options, as they offer an equal level of fit for most skin types. CeraVe tends to do better for fragrance-free formulas and acne-clearing products, while Kiehl's is often preferred for brightening and complexion enhancement.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Kiehl's?

CeraVe and Kiehl's both offer high routine fit across most skin types, but CeraVe achieves a High fit for acne-prone skin compared to Kiehl's Average fit. Reviewers note that CeraVe is better for fragrance-free and gentle formulas, while Kiehl's is better for brightening and complexion enhancement.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Kiehl's for dry skin?

Both brands are a High fit for dry skin, offering deeply hydrating moisturizers and cleansers. CeraVe features a fragrance-free lineup with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help restore the skin barrier, while Kiehl's provides nourishing options rich in glycerin and squalane.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which cleanser is better?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's offer effective cleansers, but CeraVe stands out for fragrance-free, gentle formulas and oil control. CeraVe uses key ingredients like ceramides to help support the skin barrier, while Kiehl's features options like calendula extract for soothing care.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Kiehl's?

CeraVe is generally more affordable than Kiehl's, as price point and value concerns are a noted drawback for Kiehl's. CeraVe offers budget-friendly products with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which brand is better for fragrance-free formulas?

CeraVe is better for fragrance-free formulas because every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas a couple of Kiehl's products contain fragrance. CeraVe also does better overall for fragrance-free and gentle formulas.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's offer a High routine fit for oily skin, but CeraVe performs better for oil control and acne clearing according to reviewer themes. CeraVe also ensures that every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers superior healing and texture in its moisturizers alongside fragrance-free formulas, while Kiehl's provides deeply hydrating options but often comes with a higher price point. Both brands deliver high routine fits for dry skin.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin, but CeraVe stands out for its fragrance-free and gentle formulas across all the products on this page. CeraVe helps deliver ceramides and hyaluronic acid to support the skin barrier, while Kiehl's relies heavily on ingredients like glycerin and squalane.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe and Kiehl's are both good for sun protection on this page, as both brands offer sunscreens with High or Superior fit levels for various skin types. CeraVe sunscreens are fragrance-free and feature key ingredients like ceramides, while Kiehl's options include formulas like the Better Screen UV Serum.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe is a better fit for acne-prone skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Kiehl's Average level. CeraVe features products on this page that help control oil and clear acne, and every product lists no fragrance.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for skin with dark spots?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's fit skin with dark spots at a High level on this page. CeraVe offers fragrance-free options with ingredients like niacinamide that helps reduce pigmentation, while Kiehl's is noted for brightening and complexion enhancement.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or Kiehl's for mature skin?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's are great options for mature skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High for this skin type. CeraVe features products formulated with retinol that may help stimulate collagen accumulation in aging skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

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

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