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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 that offer thoughtful moisturizers, serums, toners, eye products, cleansers, and masks. The former incorporates nourishing glycerin and squalane to suit skin with dark spots and combination skin best, while the latter utilizes hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid to suit oily skin and combination skin best. Both brands differ primarily in their founding heritage and targeted active formulations, with the first brand addressing specific concerns through ingredients that counteract oxidative stress, and the second brand balancing excess oil and moisture through active components that reduce acne lesion counts.

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 · 98% fit

Kiehl's vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% 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 a strong choice, but Dermalogica holds a higher routine fit for acne-prone, oily, and combination skin types. Lovi rates Dermalogica as Superior for oily and combination skin, whereas Kiehl's routines achieve a High fit.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Dermalogica?

Dermalogica is superior for oily and combination skin and has a high fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Kiehl's has a high fit for these skin types. Both brands offer high routine fits for dry, sensitive, mature, and dark spot-prone skin.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer a High routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page help provide deep hydration and moisturization for both brands.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer top-tier cleansers, with Lovi fit levels reaching Superior for oily and acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Kiehl's features standout options like the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash, while Dermalogica provides highly rated choices such as the Special Cleansing Gel.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Dermalogica?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica are seen as having a high price point, so neither brand is more affordable.

Between Kiehl's and Dermalogica, which brand performs better for oily acne-prone skin routines?

Dermalogica performs better for oily acne-prone skin routines, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's High fit level.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options listed on the page, Kiehl's or Dermalogica?

Dermalogica provides more fragrance-free options because every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas 26 out of 28 products on Kiehl's page list no fragrance.

How do Kiehl's and Dermalogica compare in terms of scent issues or unpleasant smells according to reviewers?

When it comes to scent issues or unpleasant smells, Kiehl's does better than Dermalogica, as reviewers sometimes note unpleasant smells or scent issues for Dermalogica products.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for oily skin?

Dermalogica is the better fit for oily skin because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, whereas Kiehl's routine fit is High.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, both brands offer strong options, but Dermalogica features more choices with a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin like Circular Hydration Serum. Kiehl's is often noted by reviewers for lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers, whereas Dermalogica focuses heavily on intense hydration and soothing formulas.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica are well suited for sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels of High. Reviewers note that both brands offer soothing moisturizers and gentle cleansers that are unlikely to cause severe irritation.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which sunscreen is better?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer high-performing sunscreens that fit mature skin and skin with dark spots well. Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum has a High fit for combination and sensitive skin, while Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 has a Superior fit for mature skin.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

Dermalogica is a better fit for acne-prone skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Kiehl's Average fit on this page.

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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