Kiehl's vs Biore
Kiehl's and Biore are two distinct skincare lines established in the United States in 1851 and Japan in 1980, respectively. Kiehl's is cherished for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products anchored by glycerin and squalane, suiting skin with dark spots and mature skin best. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand is globally loved for its sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers featuring effective formulas that suit sensitive skin and skin with dark spots best. While both brands support daily routines with reliable consistency, they differ in their origin, key ingredients, and target skin types.
Kiehl's is an American skincare brand founded in 1851 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000.
Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.
This page compares some of the most popular Kiehl's and Biore products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Kiehl's vs Biore products
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Ultra Facial Cream
€19.32
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Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
€32.50
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Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
€49.16
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Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
€33.72
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Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
€44.28
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Midnight Recovery Concentrate
€77.37
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Better Screen UV Serum
€18.90
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Super Multi-Corrective Cream
€78.90
People Say
Pores and Oil Control Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Keeps shine away — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “Removes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “sucked the gunk out of my pores — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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”
- “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Lightweight and Non-Greasy 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”
- “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Relaxing and Refreshing Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Love the tingle — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “Fruity fragrance, smells like apple/grape, refreshing. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
- “calming lavender smell — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
Skin Barrier and Texture Improvement 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 looked & felt smoother — Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
- “Leaves skin feeling clean — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
- “no pilling — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “primer-like — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Stinging and Skin Irritation Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “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”
- “left my face bright red — Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque”
- “stings eyes — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
High Price and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
Product Ineffectiveness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “skin felt tight after an hour — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
- “Did absolutely nothing — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “Doesn't get all blackheads — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Doesn't shrink pores — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
Unpleasant Scents and Fragrance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “smells clinical — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
- “faint lab smell — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
- “smell is overpowering — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
- “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Packaging and Application Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “dipping fingers is unsanitary — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
- “hard to spread — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
- “Dropper doesn't reach bottom — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
- “Stains the sink — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
Kiehl's vs Biore routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.95
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
€16.89
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Moisturizer
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€48.84
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
€33.88
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
€13.99
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Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
€86.59
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Nourishing Mask
LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask_EX
Once a week
€33.90
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Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.01
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning
€11.90
-
Moisturizer
Super Multi-Corrective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€78.90
-
SPF
Better Screen UV Serum
Morning
€18.90
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€35.50
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
€13.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
€56.06
-
Nourishing Mask
LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask_EX
Once a week
€33.90
Kiehl's vs Biore routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.90
-
Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Centella Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.20
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
€33.88
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€18.05
-
Serum or Treatment
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
€5.75
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€72.82
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€15.72
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Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.01
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning · Once a week
€11.90
-
Moisturizer
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€27.99
-
SPF
Ultra Facial Cream
Morning
€19.32
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€35.50
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€18.05
-
Serum or Treatment
Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Evening · Once a week
€49.16
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€72.82
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
€33.72
Kiehl's vs Biore routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Centella Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.20
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
€33.88
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
€86.59
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€15.72
-
Cleanser
Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.01
-
Hydrating Toner
Ultra Facial Toner
Morning · Once a week
€11.90
-
Moisturizer
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€27.99
-
SPF
Better Screen UV Serum
Morning
€18.90
-
Pre-Cleanser
Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€35.50
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution
Evening · Once a week
€49.16
-
Cleansing Mask
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
Once a week
€33.72
Questions and answers
Kiehl's or Biore: which is better?
Both brands perform well, but Kiehl's offers a much wider selection of products on this page for specific concerns, while Biore is often a better value for the price. Reviewers note that Kiehl's excels in hydration and skin texture improvement, whereas Biore does better with pores and oil control.
What is the difference between Kiehl's and Biore?
Kiehl's tends to offer deeper hydration and better skin barrier and texture improvement, while Biore generally does better with pores and oil control and offers a better price and value. Reviewers note that Kiehl's products on this page often carry a higher price point and may cause skin irritation.
Kiehl's or Biore for dry skin?
Both Kiehl's and Biore show a High routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page for Kiehl's include highly rated options like Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate, which offers Superior fit for dry skin, and Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil.
Kiehl's or Biore: which cleanser is better?
Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Biore?
Biore does better for price and value than Kiehl's, whereas reviewers often mention a high price point for the products on this page by Kiehl's.
Between Kiehl's and Biore, which brand is better suited for managing pores and oil control according to reviewers?
Biore is better suited for managing pores and oil control, as reviewers rank it higher in that category than Kiehl's.
How do the founding years and parent companies of Kiehl's and Biore compare?
Kiehl's was founded in 1851 in the United States and has been owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000, whereas Biore was founded in 1980 in Japan and is owned by Kao Corporation.
Which brand offers more fragrance-free products, Kiehl's or Biore?
Biore offers more fragrance-free products since every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas Kiehl's includes fragrance in two of its products on this page.
Kiehl's or Biore for oily skin?
Both Kiehl's and Biore provide a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page from Kiehl's excel in hydration and lightweight feel, whereas Biore does better with pores and oil control.
Kiehl's or Biore: which sunscreen is better?
Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum may suit skin with dark spots, combination skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and mature skin with a High fit according to Lovi, while Biore UV Aqua Rich has an Average fit for those skin types.
Kiehl's or Biore for sensitive skin?
Both Kiehl's and Biore provide a High routine fit for sensitive skin. The products on this page for Kiehl's achieve a High fit with options like Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner, though reviewers note that Kiehl's may cause skin irritation.
Kiehl's or Biore for acne-prone skin?
Biore offers a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Kiehl's provides an Average fit. Review themes show that Biore does better for pores and oil control.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Topical menthol--a human model for cold pain by activation and sensitization of C nociceptors
Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Calendula extract: effects on mechanical parameters of human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Natural Arctium lappa fruit extract improves the clinical signs of aging skin
Preparation and evaluation of anti-wrinkle cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil
In vitro and in vivo anti-allergic effects of Arctium lappa L
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
The evaluation of aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion for photodamage
Skin barrier changes induced by aluminum oxide and sodium chloride microdermabrasion
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Clinical and histologic changes determine optimal treatment regimens for microdermabrasion
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Clinical Assessment of a Novel Jasmonate Cosmeceutical, LR2412-Cx, for the Treatment of Skin Aging
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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