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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 established skincare brands that offer nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, soothing toners, and gentle eye products or masks. The American brand relies on glycerin and squalane to suit dry and mature skin, while the Japanese brand features signature pitera formulations to suit dry and dry sensitive skin. Both lines address moisture loss and barrier resilience, though they differ through their distinct ingredients and regional heritage.

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

Buy SK-II routine · S$606.78 · 93% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · S$209.58 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Kiehl's vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy Kiehl's routine · S$287.99 · 90% fitBuy SK-II routine · S$820.58 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Kiehl's vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Kiehl's routine · S$287.99 · 90% fitBuy SK-II routine · S$716.48 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

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

Both Kiehl's and SK-II are strong skincare brands, with Lovi fit levels varying by skin type and specific concerns. Kiehl's often performs better for lightweight texture and deep hydration, while SK-II tends to do better for radiance, glow, and fading dark spots.

Kiehl's or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and SK-II achieve a Superior routine fit level for dry skin. The products on this page for Kiehl's feature key ingredients like glycerin and squalane, while SK-II relies on Pitera, and reviewers often mention that Kiehl's provides deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

When comparing moisturizers, Kiehl's offers more lightweight and deeply hydrating options, while SK-II features popular choices like the Facial Treatment Essence. Lovi rates Kiehl's routine fit for dry skin as Superior and SK-II's as Superior.

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

Both Kiehl's and SK-II are premium skincare brands, and high price and cost is noted as a negative review theme for Kiehl's.

Kiehl's or SK-II for fading dark spots?

For fading dark spots, both Kiehl's and SK-II are good options. Lovi finds that the products on this page for dark spots fit both brands at a High level.

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

SK-II has more fragrance-free products on this page, as every SK-II product lists no fragrance, whereas 26 out of 28 Kiehl's products do so.

Kiehl's or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Kiehl's is a better fit with a Superior routine fit compared to SK-II's High fit.

Kiehl's or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Lovi has a Superior fit for Kiehl's and a High fit for SK-II.

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

Both Kiehl's and SK-II offer a High fit for acne-prone skin, so shoppers can choose either brand depending on their preference for specific products. Kiehl's features items like the Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner and Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash, while SK-II offers options such as the Facial Treatment Essence.

Kiehl's or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates Kiehl's as High and SK-II as Superior. The products on this page show that Kiehl's features key ingredients like glycerin and squalane, while every SK-II product lists no fragrance.

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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