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Kiehl's vs Dermalogica

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

Kiehl's and Dermalogica are American skincare brands known for offering expertly formulated moisturizers, nourishing serums, cleansers, and toners. Kiehl's incorporates glycerin and squalane to suit combination and mature skin, while Dermalogica uses hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid to suit oily and combination skin. Both brands provide targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin. They differ primarily in their active ingredients and their core focus on hydration versus balancing excess oil.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular Kiehl's vs Dermalogica products

People Say

Kiehl'sDermalogica
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Often 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”
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often 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”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
  • Improves skin barrier and texture 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 feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Leaves a glistening glow — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
  • Gentle formula for sensitive skin Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
  • Brightens skin and fades 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”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin looks amazing — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
  • Oil control and pore reduction Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “keeps my oils at bay — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
    • “keeps my T-zone matte — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “Brings out all the gunk — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “doesn't clog pores — Dermalogica Active Moist”
  • High price point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Very expensive product — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
  • Burning, stinging, and irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “burns immediately — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
  • Unpleasant or strong scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells clinical — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “faint lab smell — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “smells like hot dog water — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”

Kiehl's vs Dermalogica routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Kiehl's vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Kiehl's vs Dermalogica routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which is better?

Both brands are great choices, but Dermalogica is superior for oily and combination skin while matching Kiehl's for other skin types. Dermalogica helps provide intense hydration and gentle cleansers, whereas Kiehl's is known for its lightweight moisturizers and brighteners.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Dermalogica?

Kiehl's and Dermalogica are both US-based skincare brands offering products suited for various skin types, but Dermalogica achieves a superior routine fit for oily and combination skin while Kiehl's is noted for lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and a stronger scent profile. Both brands perform equally across most review themes like deep hydration and gentle formulas for sensitive skin.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer a High routine fit for dry skin among the products on this page. Kiehl's stands out for its lightweight and non-greasy moisturizers, while Dermalogica is frequently noted for intense hydration.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer cleansers with a Superior Lovi fit level for specific skin types, such as the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash for oily skin and Special Cleansing Gel for dry and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that both brands provide gentle, non-stripping cleanser options.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Dermalogica?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica are similar in pricing, with high price points frequently mentioned for the products on this page.

Between Kiehl's and Dermalogica, which brand has products with fragrance?

Kiehl's has products on this page with fragrance, while Dermalogica lists no fragrance in any of its products. Specifically, 2 of Kiehl's products contain fragrance, which may cause sensitivity for some users.

How do the founding years and parent companies of Kiehl's and Dermalogica compare?

Kiehl's was founded in 1851 in the United States and has been owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000, whereas Dermalogica was founded in 1986 in the United States and is owned by Unilever since 2015.

Which brand performs better for oily skin according to the routine fit levels?

Dermalogica performs better for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for Kiehl's.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for oily skin?

Dermalogica provides a Superior fit level for oily skin, whereas Kiehl's achieves a High fit level. Dermalogica features key ingredients like salicylic acid and glycerin across the products on this page to help manage oil.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer high-performing moisturizers, though Dermalogica achieves a superior fit level for oily and combination skin types. Kiehl's features lightweight, non-greasy options, while Dermalogica focuses on intense hydration and soothing benefits.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica are well-suited for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both brands at a High level for this skin type. Reviewers note that both offer gentle, non-stripping cleansers and soothing moisturizers that help prevent irritation.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which sunscreen is better?

Dermalogica offers a higher routine fit level than Kiehl's for oily and combination skin types. Both brands feature sunscreens with high Lovi fit levels for skin with dark spots and sensitive skin.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

Dermalogica is the better fit for acne-prone skin, with routines reaching a High level compared to Kiehl's Average level. The products on this page help manage breakouts using key ingredients like salicylic acid while remaining fragrance-free.

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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