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Kiehl's vs Bioderma

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

Kiehl's and Bioderma are two distinct skincare brands that cater to different complexion needs through thoughtful formulations. The American brand is cherished for moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products anchored by glycerin and squalane, suiting mature skin and dark spots best. Meanwhile, the French brand is revered for makeup removers, cleansers, and moisturizers anchored by glycerin, suiting sensitive and acne-prone skin best. While both brands utilize glycerin to increase hydration and restore barrier function, Kiehl's also incorporates squalane to counteract oxidative stress and stimulate fibroblast migration, whereas Bioderma relies on high-tolerance formulations to gently address reactivity.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Bioderma is a French skincare brand founded in 1977 and owned by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018.

bioderma.usnaos.com

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

Popular Kiehl's vs Bioderma products

People Say

Kiehl'sBioderma
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't sting my eyes — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “doesn't cause any irritation — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
    • “mildest face wash I've tried — Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant”
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
    • “healed my dry skin — Bioderma Sébium Hydra”
    • “skin feels plump — Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “absorbs instantly — Bioderma Hydrabio Serum”
  • Excellent makeup base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “no pilling — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Foundation didn't settle into pores — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
    • “foundation sits perfectly — Bioderma Hydrabio Serum”
  • Deep cleansing and pore care Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Probably the first cleanser that actually took all of my makeup off my face!!! — Bioderma Sébium Gel moussant”
    • “melts makeup away — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “Noticeable difference in size of pores — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
    • “sucked the gunk out of my pores — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
  • Improves skin barrier and texture Often MentionedRarely 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 looked & felt smoother — Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
    • “healed my skin barrier in two weeks — Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume”
  • High price point and poor value Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “pricier than other brands — Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant”
    • “finished too quickly — Bioderma Hydrabio Serum”
    • “pricey for water — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Greasy residue and shine Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “requires a thorough follow-up — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
    • “leaves a shine — Bioderma Sébium Hydra”
    • “leaves an oily film — Bioderma Sensibio AR”
    • “oil slick in summer — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Dryness and lack of moisture Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Skin looks like sandpaper — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
  • Causes breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “broke me out — Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume”
    • “clogged my pores — Bioderma Sensibio AR”
    • “clogged my pores — Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra”
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”

Kiehl's vs Bioderma routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Kiehl's vs Bioderma routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Kiehl's vs Bioderma routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Bioderma: which is better?

Both Kiehl's and Bioderma are strong skincare brands, with Kiehl's offering a lighter texture and Bioderma doing better for deep cleansing and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Bioderma can sometimes feel greasy, while Kiehl's may cause breakouts for some users.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Bioderma?

Bioderma fits sensitive and acne-prone skin better, whereas Kiehl's specializes more in skin with dark spots, mature skin, and dry skin.

Kiehl's or Bioderma for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and Bioderma offer a High routine fit for dry skin on the products on this page. Kiehl's is often noted for lightweight moisturizers, while Bioderma is known for soothing formulas.

Kiehl's or Bioderma: which cleanser is better?

Bioderma is better for deep cleansing and pore care. For the cleansers on this page, Lovi finds that Bioderma fits acne-prone skin and sensitive skin better, while Kiehl's cleansing formulas are fragrance-free in most products.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Bioderma?

Bioderma tends to be more affordable, though both brands are frequently noted by reviewers for having a high price point. Bioderma also has review themes indicating high price point and value concerns.

Kiehl's or Bioderma: which has more products without fragrance?

Kiehl's has more products without fragrance, with 26 of its 28 products on this page listing no fragrance compared to 9 of 20 for Bioderma.

Kiehl's or Bioderma: which brand is better for acne-prone skin routines?

Bioderma is better for acne-prone skin routines, offering a High routine fit compared to Kiehl's Average level.

Kiehl's or Bioderma: which is better for deep cleansing and pore care?

Bioderma is better for deep cleansing and pore care according to the review themes on this page. Lovi rates several of its cleansers as High or Superior for acne-prone and oily skin types.

Kiehl's or Bioderma for oily skin?

Both Kiehl's and Bioderma fit oily skin well, with Lovi routine fit for oily skin rated High for both brands.

Kiehl's or Bioderma: which moisturizer is better?

Both Kiehl's and Bioderma offer moisturizers that provide deep hydration and moisturization equally well. Kiehl's specializes in lightweight and non-greasy formulas with various key ingredients, while Bioderma is known for soothing and barrier-repairing options, with Lovi fit levels varying by skin type.

Kiehl's or Bioderma for sensitive skin?

Bioderma is the better choice for sensitive skin, as the products on this page are gentler and better suited for that skin type. Lovi rates Bioderma's routines as High for sensitive skin, and reviewers frequently mention its soothing, barrier-repairing moisturizers.

Kiehl's or Bioderma for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Bioderma is a better choice as Lovi rates its routine as High while Kiehl's 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

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