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Kiehl's vs SK-II

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

Kiehl's and SK-II are esteemed skincare brands that offer thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, toners, and more. Kiehl's is cherished for its nourishing ingredients like glycerin and squalane, while the Japanese brand is deeply adored for its signature ingredient, pitera. Both cater to various complexions, though the American brand suits skin with dark spots and mature skin best, while the latter suits acne-prone skin and dry skin best. Ultimately, they differ in their heritage and foundational ingredients, with the former emphasizing barrier function and the latter focusing on refining texture.

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

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular Kiehl's vs SK-II products

People Say

Kiehl'sSK-II
  • Lightweight 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”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Deep hydration 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”
    • “savior for dry patches — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Radiance and glow Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “noticeable skin brightening effect and glow — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “woke up glowing — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
  • Improves skin barrier and texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “skin feels smoother — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
  • Makeup compatibility and primer Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “no pilling — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Fades dark spots and brightens Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “Acne marks are gone — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
  • High price and cost Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Very expensive product — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “overpriced for what it does — Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow or ineffective results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Did absolutely nothing — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “Takes months to see — Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution”
    • “results were subtle — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance 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 dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Causes breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”

Kiehl's vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Kiehl's vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Kiehl's vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands offer solid routines, but SK-II achieves superior routine fit levels for dry and acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Kiehl's provides lighter textures and deeper hydration, while SK-II delivers better results for radiance, glow, and fading dark spots.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and SK-II?

Kiehl's offers a wide variety of lightweight moisturizers and targeted serums featuring ingredients like vitamin C and squalane, while SK-II centers its line around its signature pitera extract. Lovi rates Kiehl's as having a high routine fit for dry skin, whereas SK-II achieves a superior fit for dry skin.

Kiehl's or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi finds that Kiehl's has a High routine fit while SK-II offers a Superior routine fit. Kiehl's features deep hydration and lightweight textures among the products on this page, whereas SK-II uses Pitera to help improve skin barrier and texture.

Kiehl's or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, SK-II achieves a superior routine fit for dry skin and acne-prone skin, whereas Kiehl's offers a wide variety of lightweight and deep-hydration moisturizers that are mostly fragrance-free. Reviewers often mention that Kiehl's products help provide deep hydration, though some note high prices and potential breakouts.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or SK-II?

Reviewers note that both Kiehl's and SK-II involve a high price point, but neither brand page features comparative pricing data. Kiehl's products on this page are frequently criticized by reviewers for their high price and cost.

Between Kiehl's and SK-II, which brand performs better for fading dark spots and brightening?

Between the two, SK-II performs better for fading dark spots and brightening based on reviewer themes on this page. Lovi rates the routine fit for skin with dark spots as High for both brands.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Kiehl's or SK-II?

Kiehl's features 26 fragrance-free products on this page, while SK-II offers every product without fragrance.

How do the morning routines for dry skin compare between Kiehl's and SK-II?

For dry skin, the morning routine using the products on this page for Kiehl's features a cleanser, hydrating toner, moisturizer, and SPF, while SK-II uses a gentle cleanser, hydrating toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Kiehl's or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Kiehl's is a solid option with products on this page that are a High fit, while SK-II is also a High fit. Reviewers note that Kiehl's helps provide a lightweight texture.

Kiehl's or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and SK-II achieve a High fit level for sensitive skin based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Kiehl's offers lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and gentle serums.

Kiehl's or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit on the products on this page, whereas Kiehl's reaches an Average fit. SK-II may help provide better results for this skin type, as reviewers note that Kiehl's can sometimes cause breakouts and skin irritation.

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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