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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 notable American skincare brands that offer a wide array of targeted solutions. Kiehl's is known for its nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, soothing toners, and gentle eye products featuring glycerin and squalane, suiting mature skin and sensitive skin best. Dermalogica is recognized for its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks formulated with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, which suit dry skin and oily skin best. While both utilize dependable ingredients like glycerin, the former focuses on barrier-supporting properties through squalane, whereas the latter addresses complex skin needs with hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid.

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 · 99% fit

Kiehl's vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% 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 solid products, but Dermalogica achieves superior Lovi fit levels for dry, oily, and mature skin. Kiehl's is known for lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers, while Dermalogica is frequently noted for intense hydration and soothing formulas.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Dermalogica?

Dermalogica offers a Superior routine fit for dry, oily, combination, and mature skin, whereas Kiehl's provides a High routine fit for those skin types. Reviewers note that Dermalogica products help with intense hydration and soothing, while Kiehl's products are mostly known for being lightweight and non-greasy.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for dry skin?

Dermalogica is the better fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's High level. The products on this page help provide intense hydration and soothing moisturization.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer highly rated cleansers, with Lovi fit levels reaching Superior for oily and acne-prone skin on both brands. Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash is noted for oily and oily acne-prone skin, while Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel provides strong results across dry, combination, and sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Dermalogica?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica are similar in pricing, as high price points are noted for the products on this page for each brand.

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

Kiehl's and Dermalogica both offer completely fragrance-free selections among the products on this page, as Dermalogica lists no fragrance in any of its products and Kiehl's lists no fragrance in 26 of its 28 products.

Which brand performs better for oil control and pore reduction?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica perform equally well for oil control and pore reduction based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that both brands offer effective options to help manage excess oil and refine the appearance of pores.

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 both brands offer good oil control, but Dermalogica provides a wider range of clarifying products.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

Dermalogica is better for dry skin and mature skin, where Lovi fit levels reach Superior compared to Kiehl's High level. Both brands provide deep hydration, but Dermalogica features a broader range of moisturizers with top-tier ratings for dry and sensitive skin types.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica are good options for sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels of High for both brands. Kiehl's is known for lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and gentle serums, while Dermalogica features soothing moisturizers and gentle, non-stripping cleansers.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which sunscreen is better?

Both brands offer top-tier sunscreens on this page that help protect against sun damage, with Dermalogica showing Superior routine fit for mature skin and Kiehl's featuring lightweight textures that reviewers love.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

Both brands are a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Kiehl's is known for lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and gentle serums, while Dermalogica features soothing moisturizers and gentle, non-stripping cleansers.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for mature skin?

Dermalogica is the better choice for mature skin because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, compared to High for Kiehl's. Reviewers frequently mention that the products on this page provide intense hydration.

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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