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Kiehl's vs RoC

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

Kiehl's and RoC are established skincare lines known for expertly formulated moisturizers, serums, and eye products. The American label incorporates nourishing glycerin and squalane to suit combination and mature skin, while the French brand enriches its targeted solutions with glycerin and retinol to benefit mature skin and skin with dark spots. Through these distinct formulas, the brands differ primarily in their core active ingredients and optimal skin types, offering specialized care for various complexions.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

RoC is a French skincare brand founded in 1957 and owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2024.

en.wikipedia.orgprnewswire.combeautymatter.com

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

Popular Kiehl's vs RoC products

People Say

Kiehl'sRoC
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “works on dark skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “face looked smoother — RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks”
    • “absorbs nicely — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
  • 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”
    • “skin is no longer dry — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream”
    • “instant luminosity — RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Daily Serum”
  • Fine Lines and Wrinkle Reduction Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “wrinkles look less deep — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “Fine lines definitely softer — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “diminished my forehead lines — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
    • “plumped my smile lines — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
  • Skin Barrier and Tone Improvement Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “woke up glowing — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
  • Skin Sensitivity and Gentleness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “doesn't leave my skin feeling tight — RoC BARRIER RENEW® GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER”
    • “No irritation for me — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye 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”
    • “removing all dirts and even waterproof make up — RoC BARRIER RENEW® GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER”
  • Price and Value Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “small bottle — RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Daily Serum”
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Ineffectiveness and Slow Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “took 4 weeks to see change — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
  • Stinging and Irritation Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “burned my cheeks — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “caused redness and stinging — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”

Kiehl's vs RoC routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Kiehl's vs RoC routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Kiehl's vs RoC routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or RoC: which is better?

Both Kiehl's and RoC perform well, with RoC better for fine lines and value, while Kiehl's is better for skin tone improvement and makeup compatibility. Lovi rates routine fit for both brands as High for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, dry sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin. RoC has a Superior fit for mature skin and skin with dark spots, whereas Kiehl's fit for those is High.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and RoC?

When comparing the products on this page, Kiehl's is better for makeup compatibility and skin barrier improvement, while RoC offers better price and value and stronger fine line and wrinkle reduction. Lovi rates RoC as Superior for mature skin and skin with dark spots, compared to Kiehl's being High for those skin types.

Kiehl's or RoC for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and RoC offer a High routine fit for dry skin. Kiehl's features mostly fragrance-free products and deep hydration, while RoC focuses on ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid.

Kiehl's or RoC: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer solid options, but Kiehl's may be better suited for specific concerns as the products on this page feature specialized cleansers like the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash with a High fit for acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or RoC?

RoC is more affordable, as reviewers often note its good value, whereas a high price point is a frequent complaint for Kiehl's.

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

Kiehl's features more fragrance-free products on the products on this page, with 26 out of 28 options listing no fragrance compared to 10 out of 12 for RoC.

Kiehl's or RoC for oily skin?

Both Kiehl's and RoC offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers mention that the products on this page from both brands feature lightweight, non-greasy serums and moisturizers.

Kiehl's or RoC: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, RoC and Kiehl's both offer solid options, with RoC performing well for wrinkle reduction and value while Kiehl's stands out for skin barrier improvement and makeup compatibility. Both brands feature high routine fit levels for dry skin.

Kiehl's or RoC for sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and RoC offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. The products on this page for both brands are largely fragrance-free, helping to minimize potential irritation.

Kiehl's or RoC: which sunscreen is better?

For sunscreens on this page, Kiehl's may fit skin with dark spots, combination skin, sensitive skin, and mature skin at a High level, while RoC offers the BARRIER RENEW AM MOISTURIZER SPF 30 with High fit across dry sensitive skin, dry skin, mature skin, sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, combination skin, and oily skin.

Kiehl's or RoC for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, RoC achieves a High routine fit level while Kiehl's reaches an Average fit level on this page.

Kiehl's or RoC for mature skin?

For mature skin, RoC has a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Kiehl's has a High fit level. RoC also does better with fine lines and wrinkle reduction among the products on this page.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

Kiehl's or RoC for skin with dark spots?

RoC has a Superior routine fit for skin with dark spots, whereas Kiehl's routine fit is High.

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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