🇩🇪Germany

Kiehl's vs Galderma

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

Kiehl's and Galderma are skincare brands with distinct formulations tailored to various complexions. Kiehl's offers thoughtful moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products featuring glycerin and squalane, which suit skin with dark spots and combination skin best. Conversely, the Swiss brand focuses on serums that fit oily skin and acne-prone skin best. While both cater to different dermatological needs through targeted ingredients, they differ significantly in their product ranges and foundational heritages.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Kiehl's vs Galderma products

People Say

Kiehl'sGalderma
  • Acne Clearance and Prevention Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo 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”
  • Texture and Lightweight Feel Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “works on dark skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly without residue — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
  • 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”
    • “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Sensitive Skin and Gentle Formulas Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
  • Severe Dryness and Peeling Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Burning, Stinging and Irritation Sometimes 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”
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Initial Purging and Scars Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Fabric Bleaching Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Greasy or Heavy Residue Often MentionedNot noted
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”

Kiehl's vs Galderma routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Kiehl's vs Galderma routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Kiehl's vs Galderma routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Galderma: which is better?

Galderma performs better for acne clearance and oily skin, whereas Kiehl's excels in hydration, gentle formulas, and lightweight textures.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Galderma?

Kiehl's focuses on gentle formulas, deep hydration, and improving skin texture, whereas Galderma specializes in effective acne-clearing serums.

Kiehl's or Galderma for dry skin?

For dry skin, both Kiehl's and Galderma provide a High routine fit level on this page. Kiehl's offers various lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and deep hydration, whereas Galderma's targeted serums help clear acne but may cause severe dryness and peeling.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Galderma?

Galderma is more affordable, whereas a high price point is often noted for the products on this page by Kiehl's reviewers.

Which brand has more products containing fragrance, Kiehl's or Galderma?

Kiehl's has more products containing fragrance, as two of its products on this page list fragrance, while Galderma lists no fragrance for any of its products.

Which brand performs better for hydration and moisture according to review themes?

Kiehl's performs better for hydration and moisture according to the review themes.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Kiehl's and Galderma?

Kiehl's was founded in 1851 in the United States and is owned by L'Oréal S.A., while Galderma was founded in 1981 in Switzerland and is owned by Galderma Group AG.

Kiehl's or Galderma for oily skin?

Galderma is a better fit for oily skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's High fit level. The products on this page from Galderma focus on effective acne-clearing serums.

Kiehl's or Galderma for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Lovi finds that both Kiehl's and Galderma provide a High fit level. Kiehl's products on this page are generally well-liked for gentle formulas, though some reviewers note potential irritation.

Kiehl's or Galderma for acne-prone skin?

Galderma is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to an Average fit for Kiehl's. The products on this page from Galderma focus on effective acne-clearing serums.

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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