Medicube vs Kiehl's
Medicube and Kiehl's are distinct skincare brands founded in South Korea in 2016 and America in 1851, respectively. The Korean brand is known for moisturizers, serums, toners, and masks using niacinamide, collagen, and hyaluronic acid to best suit dry and oily acne-prone skin, while the American brand relies on glycerin and squalane across similar product types to primarily suit skin with dark spots and combination skin. Both brands differ in their specific targeted formulations and corporate ownership, with the former favoring clinical device-adjacent care and the latter emphasizing heritage botanicals.
Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..
medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co
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 Medicube and Kiehl's products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medicube vs Kiehl's products
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Ultra Facial Cream
€23.97
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Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
€32.95
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Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
€48.95
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Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
€28.85
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Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
€55.45
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Midnight Recovery Concentrate
€54.78
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Better Screen UV Serum
€36.23
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Super Multi-Corrective Cream
€53.30
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “glass skin — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
Miscellaneous Positive Attributes Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “dries super fast — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “active breakouts look less inflamed — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “skin feels incredibly soft afterwards — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
- “perfect for retinol newbies — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
Smooth Skin Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “skin feels smoother — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
- “skin feels smoother — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
Gentle and Sensitive Formula Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “doesn't irritate sensitive eyes — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
- “Did not cause any irritation — Medicube Red Foam Cleanser”
Lightweight Texture Not notedOften Mentioned
- “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”
Glow and Radiance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “healthy, dewy glow — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “woke up glowing — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
High Price and Value Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “tube is tiny for the price — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “price is steep — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “price is a bit steep — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
Sticky or Greasy Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “oil slick in summer — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “too radiant for oily skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
- “leaves a tacky film — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
- “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
Packaging and Application Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “messy — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “lifted around the nose/eyes — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “dipping fingers is unsanitary — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “hard to spread — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “caused redness and sensitivity — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “woke up with whiteheads — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
- “cystic acne for some — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
Medicube vs Kiehl's routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Zero Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.79
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Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning
€11.64
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Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.99
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SPF
Australian Gold Botanical Lotion SPF 30
Morning
€21.04
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
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Serum or Treatment
One Day Exosome Shot 2000
Evening · Once a week
€16.00
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Nourishing Mask
Deep Peptide Radiance Mask
Once a week
€7.99
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Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€25.45
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning
€16.94
-
Moisturizer
Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€62.95
-
SPF
Better Screen UV Serum
Morning
€36.23
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€24.75
-
Serum or Treatment
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
€52.16
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€19.00
Medicube vs Kiehl's routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.60
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
€11.64
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€32.80
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
€16.98
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
€15.89
-
Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€25.45
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning · Once a week
€16.94
-
Moisturizer
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€23.71
-
SPF
Ultra Facial Cream
Morning
€23.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€24.75
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Evening · Once a week
€48.95
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
€28.85
Medicube vs Kiehl's routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.60
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
€11.64
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
€16.98
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
€15.89
-
Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€25.45
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning · Once a week
€16.94
-
Moisturizer
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€23.71
-
SPF
Better Screen UV Serum
Morning
€36.23
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€24.75
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Evening · Once a week
€48.95
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
€28.85
Questions and answers
Medicube or Kiehl's: which is better?
Medicube is better for dry skin with a Superior routine fit, whereas Kiehl's achieves a High fit. Medicube also provides a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, compared to Kiehl's Average fit.
What is the difference between Medicube and Kiehl's?
Medicube is a South Korean brand founded in 2016, while Kiehl's is an American brand founded in 1851. Medicube excels in glow and radiance and is better suited for acne-prone skin, whereas Kiehl's provides lighter, more gentle and sensitive formulas.
Medicube or Kiehl's for dry skin?
Medicube offers a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Kiehl's provides a High routine fit for the products on this page.
Medicube or Kiehl's: which cleanser is better?
Medicube and Kiehl's both feature cleansers with high or superior Lovi fit levels across multiple skin types on their respective pages. Reviewers mention that Medicube provides deep hydration and soothing benefits, while Kiehl's offers lightweight and gentle cleansing formulas.
Which is more affordable, Medicube or Kiehl's?
Medicube is more affordable than Kiehl's, as high pricing is a noted concern for Kiehl's while value and pricing issues are attributed to Medicube.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Medicube or Kiehl's?
Medicube has 23 fragrance-free products on this page, while Kiehl's has 26. Kiehl's therefore has more fragrance-free options among the products on this page.
Medicube or Kiehl's for oily skin?
Medicube and Kiehl's are both a High fit for oily skin. Lovi rates them equally for this skin type.
Medicube or Kiehl's: which moisturizer is better?
Medicube fits dry skin better than Kiehl's, with Lovi rating Medicube's routine as Superior compared to Kiehl's High. Reviewers on the products on this page note that Medicube delivers deep hydration moisturizers.
Medicube or Kiehl's for sensitive skin?
Both Medicube and Kiehl's are a High fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Kiehl's does better than Medicube on gentle and sensitive formulas.
Medicube or Kiehl's for acne-prone skin?
Medicube is a better fit for acne-prone skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Kiehl's Average level. The products on this page help target breakouts and smooth texture using key ingredients like Niacinamide and Salicylic acid.
Medicube or Kiehl's for mature skin?
For mature skin, both Medicube and Kiehl's achieve a High routine fit level on this page. Medicube leans toward a radiant glow, while Kiehl's is noted for lightweight texture and gentle formulas.
Medicube or Kiehl's for skin with dark spots?
For skin with dark spots, both Medicube and Kiehl's offer products on this page that achieve a High Lovi fit level. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.
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
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
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
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Calendula extract: effects on mechanical parameters of human skin
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
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
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
The evaluation of aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion for photodamage
Skin barrier changes induced by aluminum oxide and sodium chloride microdermabrasion
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Composition characterization and clinical efficacy study of a salmon egg extract
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
Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora
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
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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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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