🇩🇪Germany

Kiehl's vs Hada Labo

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

Kiehl's and Hada Labo are distinct skincare lines, with the American brand founded in 1851 and the Japanese brand established in 2004. Kiehl's is beloved for thoughtful moisturizers, serums, toners, eye products, and more that incorporate nourishing glycerin and squalane, while Hada Labo is deeply loved for its hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers, all driven by the advanced science of its formulas. The former suits skin with dark spots and combination skin best, and the latter suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best. They differ primarily in their targeted formulations and foundational ingredients, offering specialized care for diverse complexions.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular Kiehl's vs Hada Labo products

People Say

Kiehl'sHada Labo
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Texture and Weight Mostly 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”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Gentle on Skin Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “no irritation, no breakouts — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Dark Spots and Brightening Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Sticky or Tacky Finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves a tacky film — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “cystic acne for some — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Closed comedones — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “gave me closed comedones — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”

Kiehl's vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Kiehl's vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Kiehl's vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Hada Labo: which is better?

Hada Labo is better for dry, acne-prone, and mature skin with a Superior routine fit, while Kiehl's is often praised for its lighter textures and variety of serums. Reviewers note that Hada Labo provides deep hydration with fragrance-free formulas, though it may leave a sticky finish.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Hada Labo?

Hada Labo focuses on hydrating formulas featuring hyaluronic acid and achieves a Superior Lovi routine fit across most skin types, whereas Kiehl's emphasizes lightweight moisturizers and gentle serums with a High Lovi fit for dry, oily, combination, mature, and dark spot-prone skin. Reviewers note that Hada Labo provides deeper hydration and gentler, fragrance-free formulations, while Kiehl's offers better texture and weight but carries a higher price point.

Kiehl's or Hada Labo for dry skin?

For dry skin, Hada Labo is rated as Superior by Lovi, while Kiehl's is rated as High. The products on this page for Hada Labo help deliver deep hydration and moisturization using hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Kiehl's or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Hada Labo is generally better for moisture because Lovi rates its routine fit for dry skin as Superior compared to Kiehl's High, and reviewers note Hada Labo provides deeper hydration.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is more affordable, whereas reviewers often mention a high price point for Kiehl's on the products on this page.

Between Kiehl's and Hada Labo, which brand offers better options for sensitive skin according to their product formulations and review themes?

Hada Labo is a better option for sensitive skin, as every product on its page is fragrance-free and reviewers frequently note that the brand has gentle formulations. Lovi finds that Hada Labo offers Superior routine fit for sensitive skin.

How do the fragrance options differ between Kiehl's and Hada Labo products listed on the page?

Kiehl's has a small number of products with added fragrance, specifically the Age Defender Moisturizer and the Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men, while the rest of the products on this page list no fragrance. In contrast, every product on the Hada Labo page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better for dark spots and brightening based on reviewer feedback and skin type fits?

Reviewer feedback and skin type fits show that both Kiehl's and Hada Labo perform equally well for dark spots and brightening. The products on this page help improve hyperpigmentation through ingredients like Vitamin C and gentle formulations.

Kiehl's or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi finds that Kiehl's has High routine fit and Hada Labo has Superior routine fit. Reviewers often mention that Hada Labo provides deep hydration and moisturization with gentle and fragrance-free formulations.

Kiehl's or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Hada Labo is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior while Kiehl's is High.

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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