🇮🇹Italy

Kiehl's vs Principia

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

Kiehl's and Principia are two distinct skincare lines known for addressing different dermal needs through specialized formulations. The American heritage brand relies on dependable ingredients like glycerin and squalane in its nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, soothing toners, and gentle eye products, which suit mature skin and sensitive skin best. Meanwhile, the second line is widely loved for its thoughtful cleansers and precise formulas that suit balanced to oily skin best, helping maintain a healthy, balanced complexion. Ultimately, both differ because the former focuses on barrier-supporting hydration and antioxidant protection, whereas the latter specializes in clarifying care.

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 Kiehl's and Principia products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Kiehl's vs Principia products

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Principia: which is better?

Kiehl's offers a much broader range of products on this page across multiple skin types compared to Principia. Reviewers often mention that Kiehl's provides lightweight moisturizers and gentle serums, though some note a high price point and potential irritation.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Principia?

Kiehl's offers a wide range of 28 skincare products that fit mature skin, sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots well, whereas Principia only features one cleanser on this page.

Kiehl's or Principia: which cleanser is better?

When comparing cleansers, Kiehl's offers options that have a superior Lovi fit level for oily and acne-prone skin, such as the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash. In contrast, the sole cleanser on the Principia page only achieves an average fit for those skin types.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Principia?

Reviewers on this page often mention that Kiehl's has a high price point, whereas Principia is not discussed in terms of pricing.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Kiehl's or Principia?

Principia lists a single product on this page, whereas reviewers of the products on this page for Kiehl's sometimes note that breakouts and skin irritation may occur.

Which brand has been established longer, Kiehl's or Principia?

Kiehl's has been established longer, having been founded in 1851 in the United States, whereas Principia was founded in 2020.

Do both Kiehl's and Principia offer fragrance-free products?

Yes, both Kiehl's and Principia offer fragrance-free options. The products on this page for Principia list no fragrance, and 26 of 28 Kiehl's products also list no fragrance in their ingredients.

What are the main skin types that Kiehl's brand-focused routines fit best?

The brand-focused routines for Kiehl's fit mature skin, sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots best.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play