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Kiehl's vs Simple

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

Kiehl's and Simple are heritage skincare lines, with the American brand founded in 1851 and the British brand established in 1960. The former is known for nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, soothing toners, and revitalizing eye products utilizing glycerin and squalane, whereas the latter is loved for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners incorporating niacinamide and glycerin. Consequently, the former suits mature skin and combination skin best due to moisture-retention and barrier-supporting properties, while the latter suits oily skin and acne-prone skin best through thoughtful formulation. Ultimately, both differ as the former relies on ingredients that increase hydration, restore epidermal barriers, counteract oxidative stress, and stimulate fibroblast migration, while the latter employs components that reduce hyperpigmentation, improve aging signs, and enhance hydration.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Kiehl's vs Simple products

People Say

Kiehl'sSimple
  • Gentle for sensitive skin Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Lightweight 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”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Non-drying and hydrating formulas Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Makeup compatibility Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “no pilling — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Affordable value Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Cleansing and pore care Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Skin feels soft not dry — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “sucked the gunk out of my pores — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
  • High price Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Causes breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “cystic acne for some — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Insufficient moisture Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “some extremely dry skin types need a thicker balm or oil on top — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”

Kiehl's vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Kiehl's vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Kiehl's vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Simple: which is better?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin, affordability, and hydration, while Kiehl's is often preferred for lightweight texture. Lovi rates Simple as High for acne-prone skin, whereas Kiehl's fits that skin type at an Average level.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Simple?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin, while Kiehl's generally offers a more lightweight texture. Reviewers note that Simple provides more affordable value and non-drying, hydrating formulas across the products on this page.

Kiehl's or Simple for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and Simple are a High fit for dry skin on this page, offering targeted routines for hydration. Kiehl's is often noted for lightweight moisturizers, while Simple provides non-drying and hydrating formulas that help with sensitive skin.

Kiehl's or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers the gentler cleanser for sensitive skin on this page, while Kiehl's provides a higher Lovi fit for oily and acne-prone skin types.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its affordable value while noting a high price point for Kiehl's.

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

Simple has more fragrance-free products than Kiehl's, as every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance, whereas 26 out of 28 products on the Kiehl's page are fragrance-free.

How do the founding years and corporate parent companies of Kiehl's and Simple compare?

Kiehl's was founded in 1851 in the United States and has been owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000, whereas Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

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

Simple performs better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Kiehl's Average rating.

Kiehl's or Simple for oily skin?

Both Kiehl's and Simple are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Kiehl's provides lightweight textures, while Simple offers value-friendly and hydrating formulas.

Kiehl's or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers more affordable, value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Kiehl's provides lightweight, non-greasy formulas that help deliver deep hydration for the products on this page.

Kiehl's or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and Simple are well suited for sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels of High for both brands on this page. Reviewers note that Simple offers gentler options, while Kiehl's avoids fragrance in most of the products on this page.

Kiehl's or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Simple is the better fit for acne-prone skin because Lovi rates its routine fit as High, whereas Kiehl's routine fit 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?

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