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Kiehl's vs Hada Labo

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

Kiehl's and Hada Labo are celebrated skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily hydration and barrier support. The American brand provides nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, soothing toners, and revitalizing eye products formulated with glycerin and squalane, suiting mature and combination skin best. Conversely, the Japanese brand is beloved for hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers, favoring dry and acne-prone skin through expertly crafted solutions. While both strengthen the skin, they differ in their regional heritage, foundational ingredients, and targeted complexion benefits.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular Kiehl's vs Hada Labo products

People Say

Kiehl'sHada Labo
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Texture and Weight Mostly 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”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Gentle on Skin Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “no irritation, no breakouts — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Dark Spots and Brightening Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Sticky or Tacky Finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves a tacky film — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “cystic acne for some — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Closed comedones — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “gave me closed comedones — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”

Kiehl's vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Kiehl's vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Kiehl's vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Hada Labo: which is better?

Hada Labo tends to offer superior hydration and value, making its routines Superior for dry skin, mature skin, and acne-prone skin, whereas Kiehl's provides lighter textures and targeted serums. Reviewers note that Hada Labo is gentler and fragrance-free, while Kiehl's formulations may occasionally cause breakouts or skin irritation.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Hada Labo?

Kiehl's offers a wide range of lightweight moisturizers and gentle serums with a focus on texture and weight, whereas Hada Labo provides fragrance-free formulations that deliver deep hydration using hyaluronic acid. For routine fit, Lovi rates Hada Labo as Superior for dry skin, mature skin, and acne-prone skin, while Kiehl's is rated as High across those same skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Kiehl's or Hada Labo for dry skin?

For dry skin, Hada Labo is Superior while Kiehl's is High. Hada Labo helps deliver deep hydration with hyaluronic acid, which may improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Kiehl's or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Hada Labo is a better choice for moisturization, as Lovi rates its dry skin routine as Superior compared to High for Kiehl's. Hada Labo helps provide deep hydration with ingredients like sodium hyaluronate.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is more affordable, whereas reviewers often mention Kiehl's has a high price point.

Between Kiehl's and Hada Labo, which brand performs better for mature skin and skin with dark spots?

Hada Labo has a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin and skin with dark spots, while Kiehl's has a High fit level for both. Hada Labo tends to provide better hydration and moisture for these skin types, whereas Kiehl's focuses more on texture and weight.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do the fragrance options differ between Kiehl's and Hada Labo products listed on the page?

Hada Labo products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, while Kiehl's includes two fragranced options: the Age Defender Moisturizer and the Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men.

Which brand has a wider variety of product types, such as masks and serums, compared to toners and lotions?

Kiehl's offers a wider variety of product types on this page, featuring masks, serums, sunscreens, and cleansers alongside toners, whereas Hada Labo focuses mostly on toners, lotions, and a single cleansing oil and gel.

Kiehl's or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates Kiehl's as High and Hada Labo as Superior. Reviewers note that Hada Labo does better for hydration and moisture, while Kiehl's does better for texture and weight.

Kiehl's or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Hada Labo is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Kiehl's Average rating. The products on this page help provide deep hydration while remaining gentle and 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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