Kiehl's vs Augustinus Bader
Kiehl's and Augustinus Bader are two celebrated skincare brands that offer nourishing moisturizers, serums, and eye products designed to support the complexion with measured, graceful efficacy. The American brand, founded in 1851 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000, incorporates glycerin and squalane to suit combination and mature skin best, with standout solutions like the Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner for acne-prone skin, the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash for skin with dark spots, and the Ultra Facial Toner for mature skin. Conversely, the German brand, founded in 2018, relies on sophisticated, deeply hydrating compositions that suit dry and dry sensitive skin best, featuring options such as The Serum for acne-prone skin, The Eye Cream for skin with dark spots, and The Rich Cream for mature skin. While both labels work to significantly increase hydration, restore epidermal barrier function, counteract oxidative stress, and stimulate fibroblast migration, they differ fundamentally in their foundational formulation approaches and target skin types.
Kiehl's is an American skincare brand founded in 1851 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000.
Augustinus Bader is a German skincare brand founded in 2018.
augustinusbader.combeautymatter.compitchbook.com
This page compares some of the most popular Kiehl's and Augustinus Bader products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Kiehl's vs Augustinus Bader products
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Ultra Facial Cream
€20.95
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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
€41.06
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Super Multi-Corrective Cream
€53.30
People Say
Lightweight texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “light but nourishing — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
- “sinks in instantly — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
- “light gel texture — Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream”
- “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Instantly hydrated — Augustinus Bader The Face Oil”
- “Extremely dry skin saved — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
- “healthy glow — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
- “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
Skin barrier and texture improvement Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Softens fine lines — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
- “skin is smoother — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
- “skin felt noticeably firmer — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
- “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
Brightening and dark spots Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “Instant youthful glow — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
Makeup compatibility Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
- “no pilling — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “no pilling — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
- “concealer blends perfectly — Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream”
Gentle for sensitive skin Often MentionedNot 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”
High price point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Very expensive product — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “overpriced for what it does — Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
Ineffective or slow results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Did absolutely nothing — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “Takes months to see — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “results were subtle — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “didn't see dramatic results — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
Packaging and dispensing issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “dipping fingers is unsanitary — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “hard to spread — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
- “Dropper doesn't reach bottom — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “excessive packaging — Augustinus Bader The Serum”
Breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
- “cystic acne for some — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “Caused cystic acne — Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream”
- “bumps on forehead — Augustinus Bader The Cream”
Kiehl's vs Augustinus Bader routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€8.85
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Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning
€34.00
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Moisturizer
The Rich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€178.25
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SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
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Serum or Treatment
The Serum
Evening · Once a week
€333.00
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Nourishing Mask
Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask
Once a week
€15.30
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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
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SPF
Better Screen UV Serum
Morning
€41.06
-
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
€63.54
-
Nourishing Mask
Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask
Once a week
€15.30
Kiehl's vs Augustinus Bader routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€20.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
The Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€178.25
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
€16.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Serum or Treatment
The Serum
Evening · Once a week
€333.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
-
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
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SPF
Ultra Facial Cream
Morning
€20.95
-
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
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
€28.85
Kiehl's vs Augustinus Bader routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€39.80
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
The Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€178.25
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
The Serum
Evening · Once a week
€333.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
-
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
€41.06
-
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
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader: which is better?
Augustinus Bader is better than Kiehl's for deep hydration, skin barrier improvement, and overall routine fit, achieving a Superior rating across almost all skin types on this page. Kiehl's may offer more options for specific concerns like dark spots, but Augustinus Bader delivers superior texture and radiance with its TFC8-powered formulas.
What is the difference between Kiehl's and Augustinus Bader?
Augustinus Bader provides superior hydration and texture improvement, whereas Kiehl's excels in makeup compatibility and gentleness for sensitive skin.
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader for dry skin?
Augustinus Bader is better suited for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's High fit rating.
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader: which moisturizer is better?
Augustinus Bader provides superior moisturizers like The Rich Cream, which achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for dry and mature skin, whereas Kiehl's moisturizers generally offer High or Average fit for those skin types.
Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader?
Kiehl's features a high price point as a negative review theme, whereas Augustinus Bader faces reviews noting an extreme price.
Which brand has more products containing added fragrance, Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader?
Kiehl's has more products containing added fragrance, as two of its products on this page list fragrance while Augustinus Bader lists none.
How do the foundation years and parent companies of Kiehl's and Augustinus Bader differ?
Kiehl's was founded in 1851 in the United States and has been owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000, whereas Augustinus Bader was founded in 2018 in Germany and is independently owned.
What are the key ingredients featured across Kiehl's products compared to Augustinus Bader's?
Kiehl's products feature key ingredients like glycerin, vitamin C, squalane, shea butter, and vitamin E, whereas Augustinus Bader's range centers on its proprietary TFC8 formula. Emollients and vitamins help support hydration and skin barrier function across these lines.
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader for oily skin?
For oily skin, Augustinus Bader achieves a Superior routine fit, whereas Kiehl's reaches a High fit on the products on this page.
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader for sensitive skin?
Both brands offer gentle options for sensitive skin, but Augustinus Bader has a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's High routine fit for sensitive skin.
Kiehl's or Augustinus Bader for acne-prone skin?
Augustinus Bader is the better option for acne-prone skin on the products on this page, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Kiehl's Average. Augustinus Bader also does better for deep hydration and texture improvement.
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
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
Resveratrol as a Multifunctional Topical Hypopigmenting Agent
Calendula extract: effects on mechanical parameters of human skin
Fermented pomegranate extracts protect against oxidative stress and aging of skin
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 evaluation of aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion for photodamage
Skin barrier changes induced by aluminum oxide and sodium chloride microdermabrasion
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
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
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

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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