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Kiehl's vs Olay

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

Kiehl's and Olay are two skincare lines offering thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, toners, eye products, and cleansers for various complex needs. Kiehl's incorporates nourishing glycerin and squalane to suit skin with dark spots and combination skin best, while Olay pairs niacinamide and glycerin to support acne-prone skin and mature skin best. Ultimately, both brands differ through their distinct targeted formulations, as the American brand focuses on antioxidant and barrier benefits while its counterpart emphasizes improvements in wrinkles, pigmentation, and hydration.

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 Kiehl's and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Kiehl's vs Olay products

People Say

Kiehl'sOlay
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly without residue — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Skin Smoothing and Barrier Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “Makeup goes on so smooth — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
  • Brightening and Radiance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “woke up glowing — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Gentle on Skin Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “no pilling — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
  • High Price Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Breakouts and Irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “burned my face immediately — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “caused cystic acne — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Caused breakouts — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Product Ineffectiveness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Olay Super Serum”
    • “didn't see a difference — Olay Retinol24”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”

Kiehl's vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Kiehl's vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Kiehl's vs Olay routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Olay: which is better?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer a High routine fit for most skin types, though Olay is better suited for acne-prone skin with a High fit compared to Kiehl's Average fit. Reviewers note that Olay does better for high price points, while both brands are equal in hydration, texture, and gentleness.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Olay?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer high routine fit levels across most skin types on this page, but Olay performs better for acne-prone skin with a High fit compared to Kiehl's Average fit. Reviewers note that Olay products have an advantage in skin smoothing and barrier benefits, while Kiehl's features a high price point.

Kiehl's or Olay for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer a High routine fit for dry skin on this page. Reviewers report that the products on this page provide intense hydration.

Kiehl's or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer cleansers that fit acne-prone, mature, and oily skin at a High level, while Kiehl's also features options rated Superior for oily and oily acne-prone skin. The products on this page for both brands provide effective cleansing with key ingredients like glycerin and various plant extracts.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Olay?

Olay is more affordable, as the products on this page have review themes noting high prices for Kiehl's while Olay has a review theme of a high price. Olay also tends to be lower in cost compared to Kiehl's brand positioning.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Kiehl's or Olay?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer the same number of fragrance-free products on the products on this page, with twenty-six out of twenty-eight items for Kiehl's and twenty-six out of twenty-seven items for Olay listing no fragrance.

Kiehl's or Olay for oily skin?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that both brands provide lightweight feel and fast absorption.

Kiehl's or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer highly rated moisturizers, with Olay doing better on skin smoothing and barrier repair while Kiehl's is known for lightweight, non-greasy options. Depending on your skin type, Olay's products provide intense hydration and improved texture.

Kiehl's or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin among the products on this page. Reviewers note that both brands perform equally well in being gentle on the skin.

Kiehl's or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer sunscreens on this page that provide a High fit for multiple skin types, such as mature skin and skin with dark spots. Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum and Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 both help protect the skin while delivering lightweight hydration.

Kiehl's or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High while Kiehl's is Average. Olay offers products on this page that help improve skin texture and provide intense hydration without heavy residue.

Kiehl's or Olay for mature skin?

Both Kiehl's and Olay are great options for mature skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for this skin type as High for both brands on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Olay products often improve skin texture and smoothness.

Kiehl's or Olay for skin with dark spots?

Both Kiehl's and Olay provide a High routine fit for skin with dark spots. Reviewers note that both brands help with brightening and fading dark spots.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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