Brand comparison
Jack Black vs Kiehl’s: Which Moisturizer Is Better for Men?
The goal is a face that feels comfortable from the morning shave to the end of the day: no tight jaw, no shine by lunch. Jack Black and Kiehl’s both get there with one jar, and the difference is what else that jar does. Jack Black puts sunscreen in it; Kiehl’s leaves it out so the same cream works morning and night.
By Nate Calder · Updated
Which one is yours
Jack Black
Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20
4.5Buy this one if you want one step in the morning. Moisturizer and SPF 20 in a light lotion, so a man who won’t use two bottles still leaves the house protected.
$32.00
Shop on Amazon
Kiehl's
Ultra Facial Cream
4.6Buy this one if your skin is dry or reacts. A fragrance-free cream with 4.5% squalane that keeps dry skin soft all day and works morning and night.
$39.00
Shop on AmazonKey differences at a glance
| Jack BlackDouble-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20 | Kiehl'sUltra Facial Cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Price | $32.00 | $39.00 |
| Sun Protection | ||
| Sun Protection | SPF 20, broad spectrum | None — wear a sunscreen over it |
| When to Use | ||
| When to Use | Morning | Morning and night |
| Size | ||
| Size | 3.3 fl oz tube | 1.7 fl oz jar |
| Best Skin Types | ||
| Best Skin Types | normal, oily, combination | dry, normal, combination, oily |
| Fragrance-Free | ||
| Fragrance-Free | No | Yes |
| Vegan | ||
| Vegan | Yes | No |
| Rating | ||
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
marks the better value on that row only — not an overall verdict, and not a product rating. Rows where the two are equal are left unmarked.
SPF 20 covers a commute, not a day outside. When you’ll be in the sun, wear one of the best sunscreens for men over either one.
Where Jack Black excels
- Sunscreen without a second bottle. SPF 20 broad-spectrum protection is in the moisturizer, so the morning routine is wash, one lotion, out the door.
- Light enough for oily skin. A thin lotion Jack Black makes for all skin types, light enough that oily skin doesn’t shine, with blue algae, sea parsley and phospholipids to hydrate.
- Twice the cream. The 3.3 fl oz tube lasts close to twice as long as a standard Kiehl’s jar, and it’s vegan and cruelty-free.
$32.00
Shop on AmazonWhere Kiehl's excels
- Nothing in it to react to. Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and carrying the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, so it stays calm on skin that stings.
- One jar for morning and night. No SPF means it layers under your sunscreen in the morning and goes over a retinol at night, with no separate night cream.
- Soft skin that lasts. 4.5% squalane and pro-ceramides hold moisture in, and Kiehl’s labels it for 72-hour hydration from its own instrumental study.
$39.00
Shop on AmazonMore from each brand
Jack Black
Protein Booster Eye Rescue
$41.00Shop on Amazon
Kiehl's
Ultra Facial Cleanser
$26.00Shop on Amazon
Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
$40.00Shop on Amazon
Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
$48.00Shop on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jack Black or Kiehl's better for oily skin?
Jack Black, by a little. Both are made for every skin type, oily included, and both are non-comedogenic. Double-Duty is a thin lotion that leaves no film; Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream absorbs fast but is a cream, so on an oily T-zone it's the heavier of the two.
Is Jack Black or Kiehl's better for sensitive skin?
Kiehl's. Ultra Facial Cream is fragrance-free, carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, and Kiehl's tested it on sensitive skin. Double-Duty contains fragrance, and the sunscreen filters in it are one more thing reactive skin can object to.
Is SPF 20 in Jack Black Double-Duty enough?
For a desk day and the walk to the car, yes. For a day outside, no: SPF 30 or higher is the line for real daily defense, so wear a dedicated sunscreen over it, or over Kiehl's, when you'll be in the sun for more than half an hour.
Can you use Jack Black and Kiehl's together?
Yes, and it's a good split: Double-Duty in the morning, when its SPF does something, and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream at night, when sunscreen does nothing and a fragrance-free cream can sit over a retinol.
Which one lasts longer?
Jack Black's tube holds 3.3 fl oz, nearly twice the 1.7 fl oz in the standard Kiehl's jar. Both go on as a nickel-sized amount, so the Jack Black tube runs out about half as often.
Find the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin
Answer 5 quick questions — we’ll match you with the right moisturizer for your skin, budget, and routine goals.
Build My Routine