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CeraVe vs Kiehl's

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

CeraVe and Kiehl's are American skincare brands owned by L'Oreal that offer dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, and soothing toners. The first brand is known for formulas enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while the second relies on glycerin and squalane. Both brands suit mature skin best, though the first also targets dry skin and the second supports sensitive skin. Ultimately, they differ in their specific active ingredients and the distinct ways those components hydrate, protect, and restore barrier function.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.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 CeraVe and Kiehl's products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs Kiehl's products

People Say

CeraVeKiehl's
  • Fragrance-free and gentle formulas Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “works on dark skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
  • Improving skin texture and acne marks Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels smoother — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Oil control and acne clearing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “keeps my oils at bay — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
  • Brightening and complexion enhancement Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “woke up glowing — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “skin is literally glowing — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
  • Price point and value concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Texture and consistency issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “too radiant for oily skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “leaves a tacky film — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
  • Breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “developed tiny white bumps — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs Kiehl's routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which is better?

CeraVe has a Superior fit for mature skin, whereas Kiehl's has a High fit. Both brands achieve equal High fits for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Kiehl's?

CeraVe and Kiehl's both fit dry, oily, and sensitive skin types at similar levels, but CeraVe rates as Superior for mature skin while Kiehl's rates as High. Reviewers note that CeraVe offers better fragrance-free and gentle formulas, whereas Kiehl's achieves better brightening and complexion enhancement.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for dry skin?

Both brands are a High fit for dry skin, offering deeply hydrating moisturizers and cleansers. CeraVe features ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help restore the skin barrier, while Kiehl's provides rich hydration through ingredients like glycerin and squalane.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which cleanser is better?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's offer excellent cleansers, with CeraVe providing superior oil control and acne clearing while Kiehl's excels in brightening and complexion enhancement. Both brands feature gentle, non-stripping cleansers that provide deep hydration across the products on this page.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Kiehl's?

Between CeraVe and Kiehl's, CeraVe is generally more affordable. Kiehl's is frequently noted by reviewers for its high price point.

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

CeraVe has more fragrance-free products, as every single product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, Kiehl's has two products on its page that contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's are a High fit for oily skin. CeraVe formulas are entirely fragrance-free, whereas two Kiehl's products on this page contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe has a Superior fit for mature skin and offers fragrance-free, ceramide-dominant moisturizers, while Kiehl's provides a High fit for mature skin with options featuring ingredients like squalane and glycerin. Both brands offer lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers that provide deep hydration and suit dry skin at a High fit level.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, with CeraVe featuring fragrance-free formulas and Kiehl's providing lightweight, non-greasy textures.

CeraVe or Kiehl's: which sunscreen is better?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's offer sunscreens with a high Lovi fit level for skin with dark spots, sensitive skin, and oily skin, but CeraVe products on this page list no fragrance while Kiehl's sunscreens may feature added scents. CeraVe includes ceramides and niacinamide to help restore the skin barrier and manage pigmentation, whereas Kiehl's relies on ingredients like glycerin and vitamin C.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Kiehl's for mature skin?

CeraVe fits mature skin better with a Superior routine level compared to Kiehl's High level. CeraVe features products like Skin Renewing Night Cream, which helps hydrate and target aging signs.

CeraVe or Kiehl's for skin with dark spots?

Both CeraVe and Kiehl's are a High fit for skin with dark spots. CeraVe formulas help control skin pigmentation with ingredients like niacinamide, while Kiehl's features brightening serums containing vitamin C.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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