🇳🇱Netherlands

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 respected American skincare brands that offer thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and targeted treatments. Kiehl's is cherished for formulations anchored by glycerin and squalane, suiting mature skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas Dermalogica is loved for products featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid that suit dry skin and oily acne-prone skin best. While both utilize nourishing ingredients to support the skin, they differ in their founding eras, corporate ownership, and specific botanical and active combinations tailored to distinct complexions.

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 · 98% 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 · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which is better?

Dermalogica is better for dry skin and oily acne-prone skin, where Lovi fit levels reach Superior, while Kiehl's and Dermalogica perform equally across most other skin types.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Dermalogica?

Dermalogica offers a superior routine fit for dry skin and oily acne-prone skin compared to Kiehl's. Kiehl's is noted by reviewers for having a lighter and less greasy texture, while Dermalogica is fragrance-free across all products on this page.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for dry skin?

For dry skin, Dermalogica has a Superior routine fit on Lovi, while Kiehl's routine fit is High. Both brands provide deep hydration, though Dermalogica features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin across its products to help lock in moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer highly rated cleansers, but Dermalogica provides a superior fit level for oily acne-prone skin with products like the Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash. Kiehl's also helps users manage excess oil effectively, with cleansers such as the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash reaching superior fit levels for oily skin.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Dermalogica?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica are similar in pricing, as high price points are often noted for both brands by reviewers on this page.

Which brand has a better routine fit for dry sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that both brands provide deep hydration and soothing moisturizers.

Do Kiehl's and Dermalogica products contain fragrance?

Kiehl's products on this page mostly list no fragrance, though a couple of moisturizers contain it. Dermalogica products on this page all list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Which brand fits best for skin with dark spots according to brand-focused routines?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica are a High fit for skin with dark spots according to the routines on this page. Kiehl's also lists skin with dark spots as a skin type the brand fits best by its brand-focused routines.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for oily skin?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica have a High Lovi fit for oily skin. The products on this page help manage oil and shine through targeted cleansers and lightweight formulas.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

Dermalogica is better for dry skin, as Lovi rates its dry-skin routine as Superior compared to Kiehl's High. Both brands offer intense hydration, but Dermalogica features fragrance-free products on this page.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and Dermalogica offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page for both brands provide gentle and soothing care.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica: which sunscreen is better?

Both brands offer solid sunscreen options on this page, with Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum achieving a High fit level for skin with dark spots, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and mature skin. Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 reaches a Superior fit level for mature skin and a High fit level across dry, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types.

Kiehl's or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

Dermalogica is the better choice for acne-prone skin because the routine fit is High, whereas Kiehl's routine fit 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

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