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Kiehl's vs Good Molecules

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

Kiehl's and Good Molecules are American skincare brands that offer thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and more. Kiehl's is cherished for formulations anchored by glycerin and squalane that suit skin with dark spots and mature skin best, while Good Molecules is widely loved for gentle options formulated with glycerin and hyaluronic acid that suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. These brands differ in their key ingredients and target concerns, allowing both to address diverse moisture, clarity, and aging needs through distinct scientific benefits.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

Good Molecules is an American skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc..

beautymatter.comgoodmolecules.compitchbook.compreqin.com

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

Popular Kiehl's vs Good Molecules products

People Say

Kiehl'sGood Molecules
  • Affordable and Great Value Price Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “best value for money — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “great value — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
  • 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”
    • “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Deep Hydration and Moisture Often 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”
    • “skin appears smooth and supple — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Friendly Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying — Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel”
  • Skin Barrier and Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks like brand new baby skin — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “Leaves skin "baby soft," "super smooth," "polished feel" — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
    • “softened fine lines — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “skin feels smoother — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Fades Dark Spots and Brightens Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Skin looks radiant — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “scar on your chin doesn't look nearly as noticeable — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner”
  • High Price and Value Concerns Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “cystic acne for some — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “face broke out everywhere — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “gave me little white bumps — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
  • Packaging and Design Issues Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “dipping fingers is unsanitary — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Dropper doesn't reach bottom — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Metal tube cracks — Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel”

Kiehl's vs Good Molecules routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Kiehl's vs Good Molecules routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Kiehl's vs Good Molecules routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or Good Molecules: which is better?

Good Molecules is superior for dry skin and acne-prone skin, while Kiehl's and Good Molecules are both great for oily skin. Reviewers often mention Good Molecules for affordable serums and Kiehl's for lightweight moisturizers.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and Good Molecules?

Good Molecules offers superior routine fit for dry skin and sensitive skin compared to Kiehl's, while Kiehl's is known for its lightweight and non-greasy textures across the products on this page. Good Molecules is noted for its affordable pricing and value, whereas Kiehl's frequently receives mentions for its high price point.

Kiehl's or Good Molecules for dry skin?

For dry skin, Good Molecules has a Superior routine fit, while Kiehl's has a High fit. Good Molecules helps provide affordable and hydrating moisturizers, whereas Kiehl's often delivers deep hydration.

Kiehl's or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

Good Molecules offers a superior cleanser routine for dry and sensitive skin on this page, while Kiehl's cleansing range provides strong options for oily and acne-prone skin types with a High to Superior fit.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its affordable and great value serums and moisturizers, whereas reviewers frequently note a high price point for Kiehl's.

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

Good Molecules has more fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas 26 of 28 products on the Kiehl's page list no fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Kiehl's and Good Molecules compare?

Kiehl's was founded in 1851 in the United States and has been owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000, whereas Good Molecules was founded more recently in 2019 in the United States and is owned by Beautylish, Inc.

Which brand performs better for fading dark spots and improving skin texture?

Both brands are equal for fading dark spots, but Good Molecules does better for improving skin texture. Reviewers note that Good Molecules helps fade dark spots and improves skin texture, while Kiehl's sometimes notes improving skin texture and brightening and fading dark spots.

Kiehl's or Good Molecules for oily skin?

Both brands fit oily skin well, with Kiehl's offering a High routine fit and Good Molecules also achieving a High level on this page.

Kiehl's or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Good Molecules offers superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Kiehl's. Reviewers often mention Good Molecules for affordable and hydrating moisturizers, while Kiehl's is noted for deep hydration and lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers.

Kiehl's or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Good Molecules offers a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, while Kiehl's provides a High fit level. Both brands are noted as gentle and sensitive skin friendly.

Kiehl's or Good Molecules: which sunscreen is better?

Good Molecules offers a sunscreen with a superior Lovi fit level for dry sensitive skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin compared to Kiehl's sunscreen on this page, which has a High fit level for those skin types.

Kiehl's or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

Good Molecules fits acne-prone skin better, with a Superior routine fit compared to Kiehl's Average fit on the products on this page.

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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