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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 beloved for their rich portfolios of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and more. Kiehl's incorporates nourishing glycerin and squalane to suit combination skin and mature skin best, while Olay utilizes niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive skin and mature skin best. Both brands offer standout solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, differing primarily in their specific key ingredients and targeted benefits.

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 · 97% fit

Kiehl's vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Kiehl's vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Olay: which is better?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer strong options, but Olay achieves a Superior fit level for sensitive and mature skin compared to Kiehl's High rating for those types. Reviewers frequently note Olay for improved texture and smoothness, while Kiehl's is often mentioned for deep hydration and lightweight moisturizers. Topical niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Olay?

Olay and Kiehl's both offer high routine fits across most skin types, but Olay achieves a superior fit for sensitive and mature skin. Olay features niacinamide and peptides as key ingredients, whereas Kiehl's relies on vitamin C and squalane. Reviewers note that Kiehl's products have a high price point, while Olay users mention packaging concerns.

Kiehl's or Olay for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer a High routine fit for dry skin among the products on this page. Kiehl's features specialized options like the Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate with a Superior fit for dry skin, while Olay highlights choices such as the Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with a High fit.

Kiehl's or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer a range of cleansers with varying fits depending on your skin type. For instance, the products on this page show that Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash achieves a Superior fit for oily skin and oily acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Olay?

Olay is more affordable, as reviewers often note a high price point for the products on this page by Kiehl's, whereas Olay is noted as doing better on high price.

Kiehl's or Olay for dark spots?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer products that achieve a High fit for skin with dark spots on this page. Olay also features specific items with a Superior fit, while both brands generally utilize key ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C that help manage pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer twenty-six fragrance-free products on the products on this page. Kiehl's features two fragranced options, while Olay features one.

Kiehl's or Olay for oily skin?

Both Kiehl's and Olay provide products on this page that fit oily skin well, with equal routine fit levels. Reviewers mention that the products on this page from both brands offer lightweight feel and hydration.

Kiehl's or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer moisturizers that provide deep hydration and smooth texture. Reviewers note that Kiehl's features lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers, while Olay delivers intense hydration with options like the Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream.

Kiehl's or Olay for sensitive skin?

Olay achieves a Superior fit for sensitive skin on Lovi, whereas Kiehl's reaches a High fit level. Both brands offer fragrance-free options across most of the products on this page.

Kiehl's or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Both Kiehl's and Olay offer sunscreens with High fit levels for multiple skin types on this page. Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum has a High fit for skin with dark spots, sensitive skin, and acne-prone skin, while Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 is rated High for mature skin, sensitive skin, and oily skin.

Kiehl's or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay fits acne-prone skin better than Kiehl's, reaching a High routine fit level compared to Kiehl's Average. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Kiehl's or Olay for mature skin?

Olay is a superior fit for mature skin compared to Kiehl's. Lovi rates Olay as Superior for mature skin, while Kiehl's is rated High. Additionally, Olay does better overall for skin smoothing and barrier.

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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