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Some By Mi vs Kiehl's

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

Some By Mi and Kiehl's are distinct skincare brands representing different regional philosophies and heritage timelines. Some By Mi relies on niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid across serums, cleansers, and toners to suit dry sensitive and dry skin, while Kiehl's utilizes glycerin and squalane in nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, soothing toners, and revitalizing eye products to best serve mature and combination skin. Ultimately, the former targets concerns like acne and dark spots through clarifying exfoliants, whereas the latter focuses on moisture-retention and barrier-support using soothing botanical extracts.

Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.

kedglobal.compreqin.comtracxn.com

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Some By Mi vs Kiehl's products

People Say

Some By MiKiehl's
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “works on dark skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly without residue — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture 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”
    • “savior for dry patches — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “Lasts 100 hours as claimed — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
  • Brightening and Radiance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
    • “skin looks visibly brighter — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “woke up glowing — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
  • Skin Smoothing and Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Surprisingly gentle — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Skin feels baby soft — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
  • Gentle Formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “doesn't strip dry my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Reduces pimples — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “cleared my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam”
    • “flattened my cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
  • Price and Value Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Too expensive for 50ml — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Scents and Fragrance Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
  • Sticky or Greasy Residue Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves face really greasy — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
    • “leaves sticky film — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
    • “oil slick in summer — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “too radiant for oily skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”

Some By Mi vs Kiehl's routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Some By Mi vs Kiehl's routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Some By Mi vs Kiehl's routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Some By Mi or Kiehl's: which is better?

Some By Mi is better for acne-prone skin, dry sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots, where Lovi fit is Superior, while Kiehl's is better for lightweight hydration and faster absorption. Reviewers note that Some By Mi offers effective acne-clearing treatments, whereas Kiehl's features a higher price point.

What is the difference between Some By Mi and Kiehl's?

Some By Mi provides a Superior routine fit for dry sensitive skin, whereas Kiehl's offers a High fit. Some By Mi excels in acne and blemish control and skin smoothing textures, while Kiehl's performs better in lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas and deep hydration.

Some By Mi or Kiehl's for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates Some By Mi as a Superior fit and Kiehl's as a High fit. Some By Mi products on this page feature key ingredients like niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid, while Kiehl's uses glycerin, vitamin C, squalane, shea butter, and vitamin e.

Some By Mi or Kiehl's: which cleanser is better?

When it comes to cleansers on this page, both brands offer strong options, but Some By Mi is better suited for acne-prone skin while Kiehl's is better for deep pore cleansing. Reviewers note that Some By Mi cleansers provide effective acne-clearing treatments, whereas Kiehl's features cleansers that are great for deep pore cleansing.

Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or Kiehl's?

Some By Mi is more affordable, as the products on this page win the price and value comparison against Kiehl's.

Some By Mi or Kiehl's: which brand is better for skin smoothing and texture?

Some By Mi is better for skin smoothing and texture compared to Kiehl's. The products on this page help improve skin texture and smooth out the complexion with ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or Kiehl's: which brand has more fragrance-free options?

Some By Mi offers fragrance-free options across the products on this page, as every single item lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, Kiehl's has most options without fragrance but includes it in 2 of its 28 products.

Some By Mi or Kiehl's: which brand is better for dark spots and brightening?

Some By Mi is better for dark spots and brightening, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior for skin with dark spots while Kiehl's routine is rated High. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or Kiehl's for oily skin?

Both brands fit oily skin at a High level on the products on this page. Kiehl's is noted by reviewers for being lightweight and fast-absorbing, whereas Some By Mi tends to offer effective acne-clearing treatments.

Some By Mi or Kiehl's: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, Some By Mi fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin with a Superior level, while Kiehl's fits them with a High level. Reviewers on the page state that Kiehl's offers lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers, whereas Some By Mi provides excellent texture moisturizers.

Some By Mi or Kiehl's for sensitive skin?

Some By Mi fits sensitive skin better, as Lovi rates Some By Mi as Superior for sensitive skin while Kiehl's is rated High. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and soothe irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Some By Mi or Kiehl's: which sunscreen is better?

Both Some By Mi and Kiehl's offer sunscreens that fit acne-prone, sensitive, and dry skin at a High level on the products on this page. However, reviewers note that Kiehl's provides makeup compatibility and primer benefits, while Some By Mi focuses on niacinamide and centella asiatica as key ingredients across its range.

Some By Mi or Kiehl's for acne-prone skin?

Some By Mi fits acne-prone skin better, achieving a High routine fit compared to Kiehl's Average fit on the products on this page. Reviewers frequently mention Some By Mi for providing effective acne-clearing treatments.

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

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