🇮🇪Ireland

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 respected American skincare brands that offer distinct approaches to daily care. Kiehl's is known for its nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, soothing toners, and revitalizing eye products formulated with glycerin and squalane, making it best suited for mature and combination skin. Meanwhile, the second brand features targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks built with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid to suit oily and combination skin. Ultimately, the two differ because the first brand focuses on moisture retention and barrier support, whereas its counterpart relies on active formulations that balance excess oil and moisture.

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 · 96% fit

Kiehl's vs Dermalogica routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which is better?

Both brands offer great options, but Dermalogica achieves a Superior routine fit for oily skin while Kiehl's achieves High. Dermalogica also provides a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, compared to an Average fit for Kiehl's.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Dermalogica?

Both brands offer effective options, but Dermalogica provides a superior routine fit for oily skin, while Kiehl's is noted for having more issues with strong scents.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for dry skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for dry skin, with Kiehl's providing an average level of deep hydration and Dermalogica offering intense moisturization. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for Kiehl's and High for Dermalogica.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer highly effective cleansers, with Lovi fit levels reaching High or Superior for cleansers like Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash and Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel. Dermalogica cleansers feature key ingredients like salicylic acid, while Kiehl's products on this page are known for lightweight formulas.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Dermalogica?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica share a high price point. The products on this page for both brands are frequently noted by reviewers for being expensive.

Between Kiehl's and Dermalogica, which brand does better with lightweight and non-greasy textures?

Kiehl's does better with lightweight and non-greasy textures. Reviewers on the products on this page mostly mentioned Kiehl's lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers.

How do the fragrance options compare between Kiehl's and Dermalogica products?

Kiehl's offers mostly fragrance-free options alongside a couple of scented products on this page, whereas every Dermalogica product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

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

For oily acne-prone skin, Dermalogica achieves a Superior routine fit level, while Kiehl's reaches a High routine fit level on this page.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for oily skin?

Dermalogica is the better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Kiehl's. Reviewers often mention that Dermalogica provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers and effective oil control.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer high-performing moisturizers, with Kiehl's providing a Lovi fit level of High for dry skin and Dermalogica achieving a Superior fit level for dry skin with products like Circular Hydration Serum.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica are a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin, offering gentle formulas and soothing moisturizers.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which sunscreen is better?

Dermalogica features sunscreens that fit mature, dry, and combination skin types at a Superior level, whereas Kiehl's sunscreens on this page fit those skin types at a High or Average level. Both brands offer good daily sun protection, but Dermalogica provides a higher routine fit for sunscreens overall.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

Dermalogica is the better fit for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High while Kiehl's is Average.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play