Kiehl's Expertly Clear Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin with Salicylic Acid
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Dimethicone + 10 moreStrong evidence
“A hydrating acne treatment with 1.2% Salicylic Acid and 2% Niacinamide specifically formulated to clear acne and help prevent future breakouts.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, lactobacillus ferment.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, dimethiconol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 1 moreStrong evidence
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide, salicylic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Salicylic acid + 1 moreStrong evidence
“A hydrating acne treatment with 1.2% Salicylic Acid and 2% Niacinamide specifically formulated to clear acne and help prevent future breakouts.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acidStrong evidence
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Zinc pcaStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Menthol, Salvia officinalis leaf extractMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinButylene glycol~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolNiacinamide~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideDimethicone~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeCetearyl alcohol~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholIsohexadecane~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneSodium hydroxide~1.2–1.9%
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateLaureth-4~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Laureth-4Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propylene glycol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateHydroxyethylcellulose~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseDimethiconol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateZinc pca~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaGlyceryl stearate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateSilica silylate~0.15–0.6%
Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations
More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateMaltodextrin~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinMenthol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Lactobacillus ferment~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative
More about Lactobacillus fermentSalvia officinalis leaf extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sage leaf extract. It can be irritating
More about Salvia officinalis leaf extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractSalicylic acid1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Isohexadecane, Sodium hydroxide, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Laureth-4, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Propylene glycol, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethiconol, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Zinc pca, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Silica silylate, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Maltodextrin, Menthol, Lactobacillus ferment, Salvia officinalis leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Salicylic acid
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Kiehl'sExpertly Clear Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin with Salicylic AcidYOUR PRODUCT | e.l.f. CosmeticsBlemish Breakthrough Blemish Calming Water Cream | Paula's choiceInvisible Finish Moisture Gel | TulaOil-Free Acne Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 86% | 86% |
| Price | $29.25 | — | $40.73+$11.48 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Glucosamine | Oatmeal Extract | Azelaic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Kiehl's - Expertly Clear Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin with Salicylic Acid" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Kiehl's - Expertly Clear Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin with Salicylic Acid ticks this box. Glycerin, lactobacillus ferment, zinc pca, butylene glycol and propylene glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Dimethicone, dimethiconol, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate and isohexadecane in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (2.70% - 4.10%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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